Dever was born in Phoenix, Arizona.[3] At the age of five, she began her interest in the performing arts with her parents sending her to an acting school. She also participated in gymnastics, ballet and skating, until she focused on acting. Her family then moved to Dallas, Texas, where she enrolled at the Dallas Young Actors Studio in a month-long acting program. Honing her acting skills at the studio, she booked a number of commercials, before moving to Los Angeles.[3]　　Dever's first notable acting role was in the American Girl film An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong (2009) as Gwen Thompson, a bullied homeless girl. In 2011, she was cast in a recurring role as Loretta McCready in the FX series Justified during show's second season. That same year she was cast as a series regular in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing starring Tim Allen.[4]　　Dever's other television credits include Make It or Break It, Modern Family, Private Practice, Party Down, The Mentalist and Curb Your Enthusiasm.　　Her 2011 film credits include, Cinema Verite, Bad Teacher and the Clint Eastwood-directed film J. Edgar.