Cory McAbee was born in Northern California as the youngest of three children. His father was an auto mechanic. His mother became a preschool teacher in later years. He spent his summers living with his grandparents in the Nevada desert. His grandfather was also an auto mechanic. His grandmother raised chickens. McAbee's formal education ended with high school. The fact that he graduated was an act of charity. McAbee never read a book until he was in his mid-twenties. McAbee ended his teen years living with his parents. Because he had never learned how to drive, he spent his days at home experimenting in painting and drawing. His outside influences in these fields were limited.
