A. J. Langer

Allison Joy Courtenay, Countess of Devon (née Langer, born May 22, 1974), commonly known as A. J. Langer, is an American former actress most notable for her role as Rayanne Graff on the television series My So-Called Life.

Allison Joy Courtenay

Countess of Devon
Born
Allison Joy Langer

(1974-05-22) May 22, 1974
OccupationActress
Years active1990–2007, 2011–2013
Spouse(s)
(m. 2004)
ChildrenLady Joscelyn Courtenay
Jack Courtenay, Lord Courtenay

Early years

Allison Joy Langer was born in Columbus, Ohio, daughter of Jewish parents Deana, an audiologist who owned a hearing aid distribution company, and Gary Langer, who worked in sales for a wholesale fashion distributor.[1] She moved to the San Fernando Valley with her family at age five. When she joined an otherwise all-boys baseball team at age eight, her teammates considered the name "Allison" to be too feminine, and began calling her by her initials, "A.J."[2] She has one older brother, Kirk.[2]

Career

After recurring roles on several television shows, including The Wonder Years, Baywatch and Drexell's Class, Langer was cast as Rayanne Graff on My So-Called Life. She also appeared in the cast of the sitcoms It's Like, You Know... and Three Sisters as well as the drama series Eyes. Her film appearances include John Carpenter's Escape From L.A. and Wes Craven's horror film The People Under the Stairs.

In 2011, after a six-year acting hiatus, Langer appeared in 14 episodes of Private Practice in the recurring role of Erica Warner. She left the show in 2012 following the death of her character.

Personal life

Langer married attorney Charles Courtenay, Lord Courtenay, the son of The 18th Earl of Devon, in a civil ceremony in 2004. A formal wedding took place on April 30, 2005, in Los Angeles, California.[3] Until the death of her father-in-law, Langer held the courtesy title of Lady Courtenay. Following his death, and upon her husband's succession as 19th Earl of Devon, she assumed the title of Countess of Devon. In January 2014, Langer and Courtenay permanently relocated their family to London, and to the family seat at Powderham Castle in May 2015. The couple have two children, a daughter and a son:

  • Lady Joscelyn Skye Courtenay (born January 31, 2007)
  • Jack Haydon Langer Courtenay, Lord Courtenay (born August 2009).

In her spare time, the Countess raises awareness and money for the research and treatment of fibromyalgia, from which she herself suffers.[4]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1991 The People Under the Stairs Alice
1991 And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird Beth Allen
1993 Lightning in a Bottle Mitzi Furber
1993 Ghost Brigade Thomas, the drummer boy
1993 Arcade Laurie Video
1996 Escape from L.A. Utopia
1998 Meet the Deedles Lt. Jesse Ryan
2001 On Edge J.C. Cain

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Dragnet Martha Gibson Episode: "Pretty Girl"
1991 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Melissa Episode: "Jerry's First Date"
1991, 1994 Baywatch Caroline Larkin, Rachel / Nancy / Linda Episodes: "The Trophy: Parts 1 & 2", "Guys & Dolls"
1991–1992 Drexell's Class Melissa Drexell Main role
1992 Blossom Sherry, Sheila Episodes: "Wake Up Little Suzy", "All Hallows Eve"
1992 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Darlene Episode: "Cheers"
1992 In the Heat of the Night Megan Fowler Episode: "A Frenzied Affair", "Discovery"
1992 Camp Wilder Lydia Episode: "Boy Loses Girl"
1993 The Wonder Years Mary Jo Genaro Episode: "Eclipse"
1993 Beverly Hills, 90210 Denise Episode: "Radar Love"
1993 Return to Zork Rebecca Snoot Video game
1994–1995 My So-Called Life Rayanne Graff Main role
1995 CBS Schoolbreak Special Carla Leone Episode: "Between Mother and Daughter"
1995 Diagnosis: Murder Ashley York Episode: "An Innocent Murder"
1995–1996 Coach Julie Episodes: "She's Having Our Baby: Part 2", "Her Boyfriend's Back", "Somebody's Baby"
1996 Seinfeld Abby Episode: "The Fatigues"
1997 Touched by an Angel Olivia Marland Episode: "Labor of Love"
1997 Johnny Bravo Mary (voice) 1 episode
1997–1998 Brooklyn South Kathleen Doyle Recurring role
1998 Fame L.A. Emily Callaghan Episode: "Duet"
1998 Poltergeist: The Legacy Elissa Episode: "Fallen Angel"
1999–2001 It's Like, You Know... Lauren Woods Main role
2001–2002 Three Sisters Annie Bernstein-Flynn Recurring role (season 2)
2002 The Drew Carey Show Dawn Episodes: "Chemistry Schmemistry", "The Dawn Patrol"
2003 Platonically Incorrect Darlene O'Dair TV film
2005–2007 Eyes Meg Bardo Main role
2011–2012 Private Practice Erica Warner Recurring role (season 5)
2012 Grey's Anatomy Erica Warner Season 8 Episode 15: "Have You Seen Me Lately?"
2013 Kristin's Christmas Past Debbie TV film

References

  1. "A. J. Langer Biography (1974–)". www.filmreference.com. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  2. Baker, Calvin (August 5, 1996). "Escape from TV". People magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  3. "Titled Match". People Magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  4. Morgan, John; Shoop, Stephen A. (April 9, 2001). "A.J. Langer mellows out to fight fibromyalgia". USA Today. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.