Allison Joy Langer, Countess of Devon (born May 22, 1974),[2] commonly known by her stage name A. J. Langer, is an American actress. She is most known for playing Rayanne Graff on the television series My So-Called Life.
A. J. Langer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Allison Joy Langer May 22, 1974 |
| Other names | Allison Joy Courtenay |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1990–2007, 2011–2013 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2[1] |
Early years
editBorn in Columbus, Ohio,[2] Allison Joy Langer moved to the San Fernando Valley with her family at age five. When she joined an otherwise all-boys baseball league at age eight, her teammates considered the name "Allison" to be too feminine, and began calling her by her initials, "A.J."[3] She has one older brother, Kirk.[3]
Career
editAfter many guest starring roles on several television shows, including The Wonder Years, and her first series regular in Drexell's Class, Langer was cast as Rayanne Graff on My So-Called Life. She also starred as a series regular in 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
editLanger married attorney Charles Courtenay, the son of Hugh Courtenay, 18th Earl of Devon, in a civil ceremony in 2004.[4] A formal wedding took place on April 30, 2005, in Los Angeles.[5]
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, she and her husband permanently relocated their family to London, and to the family seat at Powderham Castle in May 2015. The couple announced their separation, and intention to divorce, in November 2023.[6][7] In February 2024, the couple filed to dismiss their earlier divorce application.[8]
The couple have two children, a daughter and a son:
In her spare time, Langer raises awareness and money for the research and treatment of fibromyalgia, from which she herself suffers.[10]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The People Under the Stairs | Alice Robeson | |
| 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
edit| 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 | Camp Wilder | Lydia | Episode: "Boy Loses Girl" |
| 1992 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Darlene | Episode: "Cheers" |
| 1992 | In the Heat of the Night | Megan Fowler | Episode: "A Frenzied Affair", "Discovery" |
| 1992 | Sega Star Kids Challenge @ Universal Studios Hollywood/Florida | Herself | Played for United Cerebral Palsy[11] |
| 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
Lead |
Episode: "Between Mother and Daughter" |
| 1995 | Diagnosis: Murder | Ashley York | Episode: "An Innocent Murder" |
| 1995–1996 | Coach | Julie
Recurring role |
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 | Series Regular |
| 2001–2002 | Three Sisters | Annie Bernstein-Flynn | Series Regular |
| 2002 | The Drew Carey Show | Dawn | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | Platonically Incorrect | Darlene O'Dair
Main role |
TV film |
| 2005–2007 | Eyes | Meg Bardo | Series Regular |
| 2011–2012 | Private Practice | Erica Warner | Recurring role (season 5) |
| 2013 | Kristin's Christmas Past | Debbie | TV film |
| 2017 | Mary Berry's Country House Secrets | Herself | Episode: "Powderham Castle" |
References
edit- ^ Perry, Simon (November 21, 2017). "'My So-Called Life' Star". people.com.
- ^ a b "Checking In With A.J. Langer". The Stuart News. May 13, 2003. p. 3. ProQuest 2605752539.
Full name: Allison Joy Langer. Born: May 22, 1974, in Columbus, Ohio.
- ^ a b Baker, Calvin (August 5, 1996). "Escape from TV". People magazine. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "AJ Langer's Son Becomes Heir to Royal Title". People. August 27, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ^ "Titled Match". People Magazine. Archived from the original on March 30, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- ^ "Earl of Devon to divorce 'Devon's Meghan Markle' AJ Langer". Devon Live. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Gibbons, Katie (February 22, 2024). "Earl of Devon files for divorce from Baywatch star AJ Langer". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ Bamidele, Afouda (February 25, 2024). "'My So-Called Life' Star A.J. Langer's Husband Files To Dismiss Divorce". The Blast. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Passages". People. 67 (9). March 5, 2007.
- ^ Morgan, John; Shoop, Stephen A. (April 9, 2001). "A.J. Langer mellows out to fight fibromyalgia". USA Today. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6sfcE3wax4
External links
edit- A. J. Langer at IMDb