Carver Dana Andrews was born on a homestead outside of Collins, Mississippi on January 1, 1909. His parents were Annis Speed and Charles Forrest Andrews who was a Baptist minister. Andrews had 8 brothers: Ralph, John, Harlan, Wilton, David, Charles, Tim, and William who was also a famous actor with the stage name Steve Forrest. Andrews also had 4 sisters: Hazel, Margaret, Evelyn, and Mary.

His family moved a lot growing up and in 1924 they moved to Huntsville, Texas from Uvalde, Texas. Andrews attended high school in Huntsville where he participated in debate and theater, landing the leading role in the play "The Lovebug." High school was where Andrews met and fell in love with Norma Felder and considered themselves engaged to each other at the age of 15. Norma came from a prominent family in Huntsville, and it was said there was anxiety from her family about hers and Andrews' relationship. Andrews and Norma both attended Sam Houston State Teachers College where they were both members of the Spanish and drama club. Andrews studied business administration but never graduated from SHSTC, instead took a bookkeeping job at Gulf Oil in 1929. In 1931 Andrews hitchhiked to California in hopes of being an actor, while Norma stayed in Huntsville. Andrews and Norma would send letters to each other but later broke off their engagement in 1932. Although they never married, they continued to stay in contact until Norma's death in 1970.

When Andrews first came to California in hopes of becoming an actor he drove a school bus, dug ditches, picked oranges, was a stock boy, pumped gas, along with other various odd jobs. Andrews' employer at the Van Nuys gas station invested in him, believing he would become an actor.

In 1932 Andrews became involved in the Van Nuys High School evening theater program in which Janet Murray was also a participant. Andrews married Janet Murray in 1932 and one year later they had a son, David Murray Andrews. Janet died on October 30, 1935, from pneumonia and was with child who sadly died as well.

Andrews met Mary Olive Todd at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California. Andrews married Mary Todd in 1939. Mary and Andrews had 3 kids Katharine, Stephen, and Susan. His son David died on February 15, 1964, at the age of 30 during brain surgery after he had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage.

In 1938, Andrews was spotted performing in the play “Oh Evening Star” and signed a contract with Samuel Goldwyn, but Goldwyn felt Andrews needed time to acquire more acting experience. Andrews continued to perform at the Pasadena Playhouse, and it wasn’t until 2 years after he signed a contract with Goldwyn that he appeared in his first film, the 1940 movie “Lucky Cisco Kid” as a secondary character. He appeared in many movies after “Lucky Cisco Kid” mostly secondary roles, but it wasn't until "Laura" (1944) and "The Best Year of Our Lives" (1946-most known for this role) that made Andrews a movie star. Throughout his career Andrews acted in 92 films and shorts from 1940 to 1985. Andrews also acted in a few radio programs “The Luck of the Irish” for Lux Radio Theatre (1948), various episodes of “I Was Communist for the FBI” (1952-1954), “The Secret Road” for the Hallmark Playhouse (1952), “The Token” for Theater of Stars (1953).

Andrews suffered from alcoholism and during the filming of the Paramount Pictures' "Elephant Walk" (1954) Andrews was drunk several times during filming which nearly ruined his reputation with the production company. He became drunk during the filming of other movies after "Elephant Walk" which aided in the decline in his career. During the filming of the movie "Enchanted Island" (1958) Andrews was sued by the producer for breaching his contract on terms of being intoxicated. Andrews denied the charges and the producer and him reached a settlement and continued with the production of the movie. Soon after this, a doctor mentioned if Andrews continued drinking, he would die. Andrews became sober until the death of his son, David in 1964. From 1960 to 1964 Andrews didn't appear in any films except for the mediocre film, "Madison Avenue." From 1965 to 1969, Andrews appeared in mediocre and undistinguished films. Sometime during 1966 and 1967 Andrews checked into the Hazelden treatment center in an effort to sober up for good. But it wasn't until the early part of 1969 when Andrews stopped drinking for good.

In the last 25 years of his career, Andrews became involved in the theater once again and made appearances on television and radio shows (ex: BBC and Los Angeles’ KTWB), as well as appearing in a few films. He often performed alongside his wife, Mary Todd Andrews in theater productions. They would travel across the country performing in theater tours. He also acted with his brother Steve Forrest in the movie "Sealed Cargo" (1951) and they both were in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" though in separate episodes. Andrews appeared in episodes of "The General Electric Theatre," "The Barbara Stanwyck Show," "The Dick Powell Show," "Night Gallery," "The Love Boat,” “Falcon Crest," and other TV shows. Andrews also played in several TV movies mostly during the 1970s such as "The Failing of Raymond," "The Last Hurrah," "The First 36 Hours," and others.

Andrews was the Vice President (1957-1963) and then the President (1963-1965) of the Screen Actors Guild. As president of the Screen Actors Guild, he secured the first affirmative action agreement with producers, the first pay TV contract, and the first residuals for foreign sales of American TV shows. Andrews also met with President Lyndon B. Johnson and helped established the National Endowment for the Arts in 1965. Andrews was also one of the first to speak out against the degradation of the acting professions especially the appearance of nudity in films. Andrews became an open and outspoken individual discussing his recovery through the National Council on Alcoholism. He was one of the few actors of his time to admit his problem with alcohol and his recovery from its abuse. Andrews conducted a public service announcement in the 1970s about the dangers of alcoholism for the U.S. Department of Transportation. He also went on public speaking tours to discuss his struggles with alcohol and the dangerous of alcoholism. During the 1970s Andrews also became involved in real estate.

Andrews was an avid sailor, owning many sailboats and spending his free time sailing. He would often go on sailing trips with his friends and family.

Dana Andrews died at the age of 83 in Los Alamitos, California on December 17, 1992. He suffered from alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease and died from congestive heart failure and pneumonia.