In 1980, she received a BA in theatre from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1976, Harden graduated from Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Maryland. Harden's family frequently moved because of her father's job, living in Japan, Germany, Greece, California, and Maryland. Harden's brother is named Thaddeus, as are her father and her former husband. She is one of five children, having three sisters and one brother. Harden was born on Augin La Jolla, California, the daughter of Texas natives Beverly Harden (née Bushfield), a housewife, and Thad Harold Harden (1932–2002), who was an officer in the United States Navy.