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Laura Leighton

2025-10-16T08:30:03Z

92.20.84.99: /* After Pretty Little Liars (2018–present) */

{{short description|American actress (born 1968)}}
{{BLP sources|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Laura Leighton
| image = laura leighton gcc 2019 1.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Leighton at the 2019 [[German Comic Con]] Dortmund
| birth_name = Laura Diane Miller<ref name=bio/>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|7|24}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Famous birthdays for July 24: Elisabeth Moss, Anna Paquin |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/07/24/Famous-birthdays-for-July-24-Elisabeth-Moss-Anna-Paquin/5841658632194/ |website=UPI |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724070239/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/07/24/Famous-birthdays-for-July-24-Elisabeth-Moss-Anna-Paquin/5841658632194/ |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Iowa City, Iowa]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1993–present
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Doug Savant]]|1998}}
| children = 2
}}

'''Laura Leighton''' (born '''Laura Diane Miller'''; July 24, 1968) is an American actress. She played [[Sydney Andrews]] on the television series ''[[Melrose Place]]'' (1993–1997) and its [[Melrose Place (2009 TV series)|continuation]] (2009–2010), and [[Ashley Marin]] on [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]]'s series ''[[Pretty Little Liars]]'' (2010–2017).

==Career==
===Beginnings and breakthrough with ''Melrose Place'' (1993{{ndash}}1999)===
[[File:Laura Leighton.jpg|thumbnail|right|Laura Leighton shoots a scene for the film ''[[In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy]]''.]]
In the early 1990s, Leighton's first on-screen jobs were in a commercial for [[Pizza Hut]] and Dep Hair Gel before taking her first major acting role as [[Sydney Andrews]] in the prime time soap opera ''[[Melrose Place]]''. The part was originally intended for only two episodes in season 1, but was eventually developed into a full-time role for the subsequent seasons 2 to 5 (1993–1997).<ref name=bio>{{cite news|title=Laura Leighton biography |work=[[Yahoo!]] |access-date=June 22, 2009 |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/laura-leighton/contributor/630565/bio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008055407/http://tv.yahoo.com/laura-leighton/contributor/630565/bio |archive-date=October 8, 2012 }}</ref> During the show's run, Leighton appeared on numerous magazine covers (including ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' and ''[[Rolling Stone]] and [[People (magazine)|People]]'').{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} Leighton left the show at the end of the fifth season in 1997, which saw her character Sydney being struck and seemingly killed by a car, only moments after her wedding to Craig Field, played by [[David Charvet]]. The role earned her praise and a nomination for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress {{ndash}} Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]

During breaks while filming ''Melrose Place'', Leighton starred in the made-for-television films, ''In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy'' for [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] as Laurette Wilder, a woman from a poor background who falls for a rich man to the disgust of his grandparents, and ''The Other Woman'' for [[CBS]] as Carolyn Bryan, a newly married model who finds herself making friends with her husband's dying ex-wife. She also hosted an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 1995 with musical guest [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]].

After leaving ''Melrose Place'' in 1997 at the end of her contract, Leighton accepted a six-episode role on ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''. [[Aaron Spelling]] created the role of aspiring actress Sophie Burns for her, and she reportedly received a six-figure salary per episode.<ref name="bio" /> In 1999, she appeared in the independent short film ''Angels, Baby!'' directed by Jeff Fisher along with the [[Paul Lazarus]]-directed romantic comedy ''Seven Girlfriends'' opposite [[Tim Daly]], and the thriller ''The'' ''Clean and Narrow'' opposite [[Jack Noseworthy]] which was released direct to video in early 2000.

===Smaller roles in television and resurgence with ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2000{{ndash}}2017)===
In the 2000s, Leighton guest-starred in the shows ''[[Cupid (1998 TV series)|Cupid]]'' and ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'', and voiced a part in the animated series ''[[Duckman]]''. She later starred in the [[Independent film|indie film]] ''The Sky Is Falling'' with [[Dedee Pfeiffer]] and [[Eric Close]] before taking a break to have her son Jack Douglas. In 2003, she returned to the small screen in ''[[Skin (American TV series)|Skin]]'' for FOX, which was cancelled after three episodes, and in the short-lived 2005 ABC series ''[[Eyes (TV series)|Eyes]]''.

From 2006–2007, after her FOX pilot ''Damages'' with Cole Hauser was not picked up, she made numerous prime-time guest appearances, on shows such as the ABC drama/comedy ''[[Boston Legal]]'', ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'', ''[[CSI: Miami]]'', and ''[[Shark (American TV series)|Shark]]''. In 2004, she starred in the [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] movies ''A Deadly Encounter'' as Joanne Sanders, a single mother who is the victim of a stalker, and ''Love Notes,'' as Nora Flannery, a classic music critic who, while on a job, finds love with a popular country and western singer. Leighton also appeared in the thriller ''[[The Burrowers]]'' directed by [[J. T. Petty|J.T Petty]] and the [[Hallmark Channel]] movies ''[[Daniel's Daughter]]'' opposite [[Sebastian Spence]] and ''[[Mending Fences]]'', opposite [[Angie Dickinson]].

On April 5, 2009, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' announced that Leighton would appear in the 2009 series ''[[Melrose Place (2009 TV series)|Melrose Place]]'', reprising her role as the presumed-dead Sydney Andrews, who would serve as landlord at Melrose Place.<ref name="hr">{{cite news|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|title=Laura Leighton Returns to ''Melrose Place''|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 5, 2009|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=54240|archive-date=July 14, 2014|access-date=July 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225853/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=54240|url-status=dead}}</ref> The remake only lasted a single season on [[The CW]] before being cancelled. On December 7, 2009, [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] announced that Leighton had been cast in a lead role in the TV series ''[[Pretty Little Liars]]'', a TV adaptation of a book of the [[Pretty Little Liars (book series)|same name]] by [[Sara Shepard]] as [[Ashley Marin]], the mother of [[Hanna Marin]] played by [[Ashley Benson]], one of the four main characters on the show. Leighton stayed with ''Pretty Little Liars'' for all seven seasons until the show's end in June 2017.

===After ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2018{{ndash}}present)===
In 2018, Leighton guest starred on the CBS medical drama ''[[Code Black (TV series)|Code Black]]'' as Sonya Finn, and then starred in the Hallmark Christmas movie ''Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane''. In 2020, she guest starred as Karen Scott on ''[[L.A.'s Finest]]'', 2021 saw Leighton playing Corinne Simon in [[The CW]]'s ''[[Dynasty (2017 TV series)|Dynasty]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://michaelfairmantv.com/melrose-places-laura-leighton-to-guest-star-on-cws-dynasty/2021/06/11/|title=''Melrose Place''{{'s}} Laura Leighton to Guest Star on CW's ''Dynasty''|work=Michael Fairman TV|first=Michael|last=Fairman|author-link=Michael Fairman (journalist)|date=June 11, 2021|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> She appeared as Nettie in the episode "The Big Five Oh" of the ''[[Fantasy Island (2021 TV series)|Fantasy Island]]'' sequel series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/07/16/sparks-will-fly-when-former-residents-of-melrose-place-check-in-to-fantasy-island-815013/20210716fox01/|title=Sparks Will Fly When Former Residents of ''Melrose Place'' Check in to ''Fantasy Island''|publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]|via=[[The Futon Critic]]|date=July 16, 2021|access-date=July 30, 2021}}</ref>
In 2024, Leighton and her ''Melrose Place'' co-stars [[Courtney Thorne-Smith]] and [[Daphne Zuniga]] began hosting a podcast, ''Still The Place'', on [[iHeartRadio]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/iheartpodcasts-debuts-still-place-melrose-place-rewatch-podcast-hosts-daphne-zuniga-laura|title=iHeartPodcasts Debuts “Still The Place”: A Melrose Place Rewatch Podcast with Hosts Daphne Zuniga, Laura Leighton and Courtney Thorne-Smith|publisher=[[iHeartMedia]]|date=July 8, 2024|access-date=October 7, 2025}}</ref>

==Public image==
Following her performance in the second season of ''Melrose Place'', Leighton was featured on the cover of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 1994 Fall TV Preview issue.<ref name=ew>{{cite magazine|title=Fall TV Preview|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 9, 2009|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20002230_2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607213823/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20002230_2,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref> She appeared on the cover of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' with her co-stars [[Heather Locklear]] and [[Josie Bissett]] in May 1994, in an issue entitled "The Hot Issue".<ref name=rs>{{cite magazine|title=1994 ''Rolling Stone'' Covers|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=June 22, 2009|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/5392236/1994_rolling_stone_covers/photo/9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610043155/http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/5392236/1994_rolling_stone_covers/photo/9|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2008}}</ref> In 1995, she was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award]] for her work on the series,<ref name=goldenglobe>{{cite news|title=Laura Leighton profile|work=goldenglobes.org|access-date=June 13, 2009|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29499|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626220547/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29499|archive-date=June 26, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> was named one of the most beautiful people in the world by ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite news|title=Most Beautiful, Laura Leighton|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=April 9, 2009|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20105703,00.html}}</ref> and hosted an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. The role of Sydney Andrews, which she signed on to reprise in the 2009 ''Melrose Place'' spin-off, has been recognized by ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' as "one of the most popular characters" from the original series.<ref name=hr/>

==Personal life==
Leighton was born Laurie Miller in [[Iowa City, Iowa]], and is a 1986 graduate of [[Iowa City West High School|West High School]] in Iowa City. During her time at West High, Leighton was a cheerleader and a member of the school's show choir, and performed numerous solos during her time with the group. Leighton then joined [[The Young Americans]] and was a member of their 1987 "Around the World in 80 days" show.{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}}

In 1988, Leighton assumed her mother’s maiden name.<ref name="bio" />

In May 1998, Leighton married her ''[[Melrose Place]]'' co-star [[Doug Savant]]. They have two children together: Jack and Lucy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fame & Fortune: Laura Leighton|work=bankrate.com|access-date=April 9, 2009|url=http://www.bankrate.com/nydn/news/investing/20080118_fame_fortune_Laura_Leighton_a1.asp?prodtype=invest |author=Siegler, Bonnie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626215414/http://www.bankrate.com/nydn/news/investing/20080118_fame_fortune_Laura_Leighton_a1.asp?prodtype=invest|archive-date=June 26, 2009 }}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1999
| ''Angels, Baby!''
| Jessica
|
|-
| 1999
| ''Clean and Narrow''
| Marie
|
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Seven Girlfriends]]''
| Anabeth
|
|-
| 2000
| ''[[The Sky Is Falling (2000 film)|The Sky Is Falling]]''
| Amber Lee
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[The Burrowers]]''
| Gertrude
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1993
| ''Victim of Love: The Shannon Mohr Story''
| Travel Agent
| Television film; uncredited
|-
| 1993–1997
| ''[[Melrose Place]]''
| [[Sydney Andrews]]
| Guest star (season 1); recurring role (season 2); main role (seasons 3–5)
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Life with Louie]]: A Christmas Surprise for Mrs. Stillman''
| {{TableTBA|N/A}}
| Voice role; television short
|-
| 1995
| ''[[The Other Woman (1995 film)|The Other Woman]]''
| Carolyn
| Television film
|-
| 1995
| ''[[In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy]]''
| Laurette Wilder
| Television film
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| various
| Host; episode: "Laura Leighton/Rancid"
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Duckman]]''
| Ditzi
| Voice role; episode: "With Friends Like These"
|-
| 1997
| ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Artie and Angie and Hank and Hercules"
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Cupid (1998 TV series)|Cupid]]''
| Kristy Holbrook
| Unaired episode: "Botched Makeover"
|-
|1998
| ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''
| Sophie Burns
| Recurring role (season 9), 6 episodes
|-
|1998
| ''Naked City: A Killer Christmas''
| Gerry Millar
| Television film
|-
| 2000
| ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]''
| {{nowrap|Anne Marie Reynolds}}
| Episode: "Inner Child"
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Early Edition]]''
| Ginger
| Episode: "Everybody Goes to Rick's"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[We'll Meet Again (2002 film)|We'll Meet Again]]''
| Fran Sillman

| Television film
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Skin (American TV series)|Skin]]''
| Cynthia Peterson
| 6 episodes
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Tru Calling]]''
| Jordan Davies
| Episode: "Daddy's Girl"
|-
| 2004
| ''A Deadly Encounter''
| Joanne Sanders
| Television film
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Eyes (TV series)|Eyes]]''
| Leslie Town
| Main role
|-
| 2006
| ''[[CSI: Miami]]''
| Alyssa Prince
| Episode: "[[Silencer (CSI episode)|Silencer]]"
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Boston Legal]]''
| Erica Dolenz
| Episodes: "Lincoln", "On the Ledge"
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Shark (American TV series)|Shark]]''
| Angela Corbin
| Episode: "Backfire"
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''
| Lillian Rice
| Episode: "Responsible"
|-
| 2007
| ''Love Notes''
| Nora Flannery
| Television film
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Daniel's Daughter]]''
| Cate Madighan
| Television film
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Mending Fences]]''
| Kelly Fariday
| Television film
|-
| 2009–2010
| ''[[Melrose Place (2009 TV series)|Melrose Place]]''
| Sydney Andrews
| Recurring role, 7 episodes
|-
| 2010–2017
| ''[[Pretty Little Liars]]''
| [[Ashley Marin]]
| Main role
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Code Black (TV series)|Code Black]]''
| Sonya Finn
| Episode: "Change of Heart"
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane]]''
| Andie
| Television film
|-
| 2020
| ''[[L.A.'s Finest]]''
| Karen Scott
| Episode: "For Life"
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Dynasty (2017 TV series)|Dynasty]]''
| Corinne Simon
| Episode: "[[Equal Justice for the Rich]]"
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Fantasy Island (2021 TV series)|Fantasy Island]]''
| Nettie
| Episode: "The Big Five Oh"
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Nominated work !! Result
|-
| [[52nd Golden Globe Awards|1995]]
| [[Golden Globe Award]]s
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actress {{ndash}} Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
| ''[[Melrose Place]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0500359}}
* {{Instagram|lauraleightonforreal}}
* [http://www.facebook.com/lauraleightonfan Official Laura Leighton Facebook fanpage]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leighton, Laura}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Iowa]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from Iowa City, Iowa]]
[[Category:The Young Americans members]]
[[Category:Iowa City West High School alumni]]

Courtney Thorne-Smith

2025-10-02T18:46:29Z

92.20.84.99: Removed Mabel from the name of her character in According to Jim, as it's her middle name: Jim and Cheryl's last name was famously never revealed.

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{short description|American actress (born 1966 or 1967)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Courtney Thorne-Smith
| image = Courtney Thorne Smith.jpg
| caption = Thorne-Smith in 2013
| image size =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|33|2000|12|5}} 
| birth_place =
| occupation = Actress
| known_for = ''[[Melrose Place]]'' ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' ''[[According to Jim]]''
| years_active = 1986–present
| children = 1
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Andrew Conrad]]|2000|2001|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Roger Fishman|2007|2021|end=separated}}}}
}}

'''Courtney Thorne-Smith''' (born 1966 or 1967) is an American actress. She is known for her starring roles as [[List of Melrose Place characters#Alison Parker|Alison Parker]] on ''[[Melrose Place]]'', Georgia Thomas on ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', and Cheryl on ''[[According to Jim]]'', as well as her recurring role on ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'' as Lyndsey McElroy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Cast of Melrose Place: Where Are They Now? |url=https://people.com/tv/melrose-place-where-are-they-now/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Peoplemag |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009064134/http://people.com/tv/melrose-place-where-are-they-now/ |url-status=live |archive-date=October 9, 2017}}</ref>

==Early life==
Thorne-Smith grew up in [[Menlo Park, California]], a suburb south of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]. Her father, Walter Smith, was a computer market researcher, and her mother, Lora Thorne, was a therapist. They divorced when Courtney was seven years old, and she lived with both parents at different stages. She has an older sister, Jennifer, who is an advertising executive.

Thorne-Smith attended [[Menlo-Atherton High School]], in [[Atherton, California]], but she graduated from [[Tamalpais High School]], in [[Mill Valley, California]], in 1985. She performed with the Ensemble Theater Company in Mill Valley while attending high school.<ref>{{cite book| title= Melrose Confidential| author=Roberta Caploe, Jamie Caploe| year= 1996| page=12| publisher=Carol Publishing Group| isbn=0806517433}}</ref>

==Career==
===Films===
Thorne-Smith made her first film appearance in the 1986 feature film drama ''[[Lucas (film)|Lucas]]'', alongside [[Winona Ryder]], [[Corey Haim]], and [[Charlie Sheen]]. She was also involved in a number of movies in the late 1980s, such as ''[[Welcome to 18]]'' (1986), ''[[Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise]]'' (1987), ''[[Summer School (1987 film)|Summer School]]'' (1987), and ''[[Side Out]]'' (1990). In 1998, she starred in the box office flop ''[[Chairman of the Board (film)|Chairman of the Board]]'' with [[Carrot Top]]. In 2009, she appeared in ''[[Sorority Wars]]''.

===Television===
She appeared on a few mid-1980s television series such as ''[[Growing Pains]]'' and the short-lived ''[[Fast Times]]'', as well as [[television film|made-for-television movies]] including ''The Thanksgiving Promise'' and ''Infidelity'' before landing a regular role in the 1988–1989 sitcom ''[[Day by Day (American TV series)|Day by Day]]'' with [[Douglas Sheehan]], [[Linda Kelsey]] and [[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]]. In 1990, she was featured in six episodes of ''[[L.A. Law]]'' as [[Laker Girls|Laker Girl]] Kimberly Dugan.

Her first notable starring television role was as Alison Parker on ''[[Melrose Place]]'' from 1992 to 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Melrose Place' Revival in the Works with Original Stars Heather Locklear, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga |url=https://people.com/melrose-place-revival-in-the-works-with-heather-locklear-laura-leighton-daphne-zuniga-8629989 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> During this time, in 1995, she starred in a made-for-television movie ''Beauty's Revenge'' which was also marketed in CD and DVD form as "Midwest Obsession". Following this, she went on to play Georgia Thomas on ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' from 1997 to 2000. Thorne-Smith originally auditioned for the title role in the show, which ultimately went to [[Calista Flockhart]]. Her character was written out of ''Ally McBeal'' at the beginning of season four in 2000, though she returned for occasional guest appearances afterwards. She later said that she left the show in part because of the pressure to stay thin. "I started undereating, overexercising, pushing myself too hard and brutalizing my immune system," she told ''[[US Weekly]]''. "The amount of time I spent thinking about food and being upset about my body was insane."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/skinny-courtney-thorne-40514/|website=TV Guide|title=The Skinny on Courtney Thorne-Smith|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|date=December 5, 2000|accessdate=September 19, 2021}}</ref>

From 2001 to 2009, she starred as Cheryl on ''[[According to Jim]]''. In 2007, her real-life pregnancy was hidden on the show at first, but was then written into the plot.<ref>[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Tv-Guide-News/Courtney-Thorne-Smiths/800025320 Courtney Thorne-Smith's Pregnancy Written into Show] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415020339/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Tv-Guide-News/Courtney-Thorne-Smiths/800025320 |date=April 15, 2008 }}, ''[[TV Guide]]'', October 22, 2007.</ref> On February 18, 2010, she signed on to play [[Alan Harper (Two and a Half Men)|Alan Harper]]'s ([[Jon Cryer]]) girlfriend, Lyndsey McElroy, in [[Two and a Half Men (season 7)|season seven]] of ''[[Two and a Half Men]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/02/courtney-thorne-smith-woos-one-of-two-and-a-half-men.html|title=Courtney Thorne-Smith woos one of ''Two and a Half Men''|first=Rick |last=Porter|date=February 18, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223044804/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/02/courtney-thorne-smith-woos-one-of-two-and-a-half-men.html|archive-date=February 23, 2010}}</ref> She appeared in 52 episodes from season seven through twelve.

From 2017 to 2019, Thorne-Smith starred in a series of three television films, the ''[[Emma Fielding Mysteries]]'' on the [[Hallmark Movies & Mysteries]] channel, based on the novels by [[Dana Cameron]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Courtney-Thorne-Smith-to-Star-in-Hallmark-Movies-Mysteries-SITE-UNSEEN-AN-EMMA-FIELDING-MYSTERY-20170328|title=Courtney Thorne-Smith to Star in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' SITE UNSEEN: AN EMMA FIELDING MYSTERY|first=Caryn|last=Robbins|website=BroadwayWorld.com|date=March 28, 2017}}</ref>

===Writing===
On September 18, 2007, Thorne-Smith's novel, ''Outside In'', was published by [[Broadway Books]] in New York.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-09-19-thorne-smith_N.htm ''Outside In'' reviewed], ''[[USA Today]] Book Review'', September 20, 2007.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Courtney Thorne-Smith at book party |url=https://people.com/parents/courtney-thor-1-6/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>

===Other ventures===
In 1997, she became a [[spokesperson]] for cosmetics brand [[Almay]], being the face of their new "Skin Stays Clean" line of make-up.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ally McBeal: ALMAY Makes Courtney Thorne-Smith Newest Spokesperson; Cosmetic Company Signs 'Ally McBeal' Star |url=https://shockme99.tripod.com/allymcbealefiles183.html |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=shockme99.tripod.com}}</ref> She appeared for Almay's print ads and television commercials until 2001. In 2003, Thorne-Smith appeared on [[Kellogg's]] [[Special K]] cereal boxes as part of a breast cancer awareness campaign with Kelloggs and the [[Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Courtney Thorne-Smith - Other works |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005489/otherworks/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>

During her career, she has appeared on the cover of magazines such as ''[[Shape (magazine)|Shape]]'', ''[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]'', ''[[Self (magazine)|Self]]'', ''[[InStyle|InStyle Weddings]]'', ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', ''[[TV Guide (magazine)|TV Guide]], [[Vogue Knitting]]'' and ''[[Fit Pregnancy]]''.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

==Personal life==
On June 2, 2000, Thorne-Smith married genetic scientist [[Andrew Conrad]]. The couple separated in January 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thorne-Smith's Marriage Falls Apart|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3683c32f69d76f62098b59/thornesmiths-marriage-falls-apart|date=January 5, 2001|access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

On January 1, 2007, she married [[talent agent]] Roger Fishman.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ivory|last=Clinton|date=January 9, 2007|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20007916,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112091212/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20007916,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2007|title=Courtney Thorne-Smith Marries|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> On January 11, 2008, she gave birth to their son.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20168141,00.html|title=Courtney Thorne-Smith Has a Boy|work=People|date=January 11, 2008|access-date=January 12, 2008|archive-date=January 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129000649/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20168141,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 40-Plus Moms Club |url=https://people.com/parents/the-40-plus-moms-club/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> The couple separated in September 2021, and Thorne-Smith filed for divorce in June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Melrose Place' Star Courtney Thorne-Smith Files for Divorce from Roger Fishman After 18 Years of Marriage|first=Toria|last=Sheffield|work=People|url=https://people.com/melrose-place-star-courtney-thorne-smith-files-for-divorce-after-18-years-marriage-11758911|date=June 21, 2025|access-date=June 22, 2025}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|rowspan=2|1986
|''[[Welcome to 18]]''
|Lindsey
|
|-
|''[[Lucas (film)|Lucas]]''
|Alise
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1987
| ''[[Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise]]''
| Sunny Carstairs
|
|-
| ''[[Summer School (1987 film)|Summer School]]''
| Pam House
|
|-
| 1990
|''[[Side Out]]''
|Samantha
|
|-
|1997
|''[[The Lovemaster (film)|The Lovemaster]]''
|Deb
|
|-
|1998
|''[[Chairman of the Board (film)|Chairman of the Board]]''
|Natalie Stockwell
|
|-
|2005
|''Batman: New Times''
| [[Catwoman|Catwoman/Ms. Kitka Karenska]]
|Voice, short film
|-
|2006
|''[[Whisper of the Heart]]''
|Shiho Tsukishima
|English dub
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|rowspan=2|1986
|''[[Fast Times]]''
|Stacey Hamilton
|7 episodes
|-
|''[[The Thanksgiving Promise]]''
|Sheryl
| [[Television film]]
|-
|1987
| ''[[Growing Pains]]''
| Photography class student
| Episode: "Nude Photos"
|-
| 1988–1989
| ''[[Day by Day (American TV series)|Day by Day]]''
| Kristin Carlson
| 33 episodes
|-
| rowspan=2|1990
| ''[[L.A. Law]]''
| Kimberly Dugan
| 6 episodes
|-
| ''[[Anything but Love]]''
| Allison Andrews
| Episode: "All About Allison"
|-
|rowspan=2|1992
|''[[Jack's Place (TV series)|Jack's Place]]''
|Kim Logan
|Episode: "Everything Old Is New Again"
|-
|''[[Grapevine (TV series)|Grapevine]]''
| Lisa
| Episode: "The Lisa and Bill Story"
|-
|1992–1997
|''[[Melrose Place]]''
|[[Alison Parker (Melrose Place)|Alison Parker]]
|165 episodes
|-
|1994
|''[[Breach of Conduct]]''
|Helen Lutz
| rowspan=2|Television film
|-
|1995
|''Midwest Obsession''
|Cheryl Ann Davis
|-
|1996
|''[[Partners (1995 TV series)|Partners]]''
|Danielle
| Episode: "The Year of Bob?"
|-
|rowspan=2|1997
|''[[Duckman]]''
|Herself
|Episode: "[[Bonfire of the Panties]]"
|-
|''[[Spin City]]''
|Danielle Brinkman
|Episode: "Starting Over"
|-
|1997–2002
|''[[Ally McBeal]]''
|[[Georgia Thomas]]
| 69 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|1999
|''Partners''
|Gina Darrin
|Episode: "Always..."
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal#Ally (1999)|Ally]]''
| Georgia Thomas
| 12 episodes
|-
|2000
|''[[The Norm Show|Norm]]''
|Rebecca
|Episode: "Norm and the Hopeless Cause"
|-
|2001–2009
|''[[According to Jim]]''
|Cheryl
| 182 episodes
|-
|2009
|''[[Sorority Wars]]''
|Lutie Parker
| Television film
|-
|2010–2015
|''[[Two and a Half Men]]''
| Lyndsey McElroy
| 52 episodes
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Robot Chicken]]''
| Medical Examiner
| Voice, episode: "Blackout Window Heatstroke"
|-
| 2016–2017
|''[[Fresh Off the Boat]]''
| Anne
| 2 episodes
|-
|2017
|''Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery''
| rowspan=3|Emma Fielding
| rowspan=3|Television film ([[Hallmark Movies & Mysteries]])
|-
|2018
|''Past Malice: An Emma Fielding Mystery''
|-
|2019
|''More Bitter than Death: An Emma Fielding Mystery''
|-
|2020
|''[[Mom (TV series)|Mom]]''
|Sam
|Episode: "Beef Baloney Dan and a Sarcastic No"
|-
|2024
|''He Slid Into Her DMs''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/lifetime-movie-he-slid-into-her-dms-1236028148/|title=Courtney Thorne-Smith & Stella Gregg To Lead New Lifetime Movie ‘He Slid Into Her DMs’|first=Rosy|last=Cordero|date=August 1, 2024|access-date=August 6, 2024}}</ref>
|Leah
|Television movie
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
| 1998
| rowspan=3|[[Screen Actors Guild]]
| rowspan=3|[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]] (shared with rest of cast)
| rowspan=3| ''Ally McBeal''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1999
| {{won}}
|-
| 2000
| {{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0005489|Courtney Thorne-Smith}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thorne-Smith, Courtney}}
[[Category:1960s births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Female models from California]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:People from Menlo Park, California]]
[[Category:Tamalpais High School alumni]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Actresses from San Mateo County, California]]