Annable was born in Suffern, New York. He grew up in Walden, a village in New York, where he played baseball, rugby and hockey. His father is Christian and his mother is of Jewish descent, and he was "raised both".
Annable attended Valley Central High School and graduated in 1997. He attended college at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh). There, he became involved with the student-run TV station, Plattsburgh State Television (PSTV), working both on production behind the scenes and on the air as well. He hosted many shows at PSTV, including Late Night with Dave Annable, Cardinal Sports, and The Roommate Game. Annable credits Plattsburgh State Television for preparing him for his successful career in television. Annable dropped out of college in 2003 to pursue his acting career.
After leaving SUNY Plattsburgh, Annable studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York with Richard Pinter.
