Robert Luketic was born in Sydney, Australia, the elder of two children born to an Italian mother and Croatian father.
Luketic cultivated his film career early when he won his first award for "Best Film" at the ATOM Film Festival at the age of 15. He went on to study at the Victorian College of Arts - School of Film and Television (VCA), one of Australia's most prestigious film schools. He has directed many Hollywood films including Monster-in-Law, Legally Blonde and 21.