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 May 22, 1974 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1990–2007, 2011–2013 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Lady 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
- "A. J. Langer Biography (1974–)". www.filmreference.com. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
- Baker, Calvin (August 5, 1996). "Escape from TV". People magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- "Titled Match". People Magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- Morgan, John; Shoop, Stephen A. (April 9, 2001). "A.J. Langer mellows out to fight fibromyalgia". USA Today. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
