A. J. Langer
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person
Allison Joy Courtenay, Countess of Devon (née Langer; born May 22, 1974),<ref name="CIwAJ">Template:Cite news</ref> commonly known by her stage name A. J. Langer, is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Rayanne Graff on the American television series My So-Called Life and Caroline Larkin on the American television series Baywatch. In 2004, she married Charles Courtenay, 19th Earl of Devon and took on the management of Powderham Castle, the Courtenay family seat in Exminster.
Early years
Born in Columbus, Ohio,<ref name="CIwAJ"/> 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."<ref name=EscapeFromTV>Template:Cite news</ref> She has one older brother, Kirk.<ref name=EscapeFromTV/>
Career
After 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
Langer married attorney Charles Courtenay, the son of Hugh Courtenay, 18th Earl of Devon, in a civil ceremony in 2004.<ref name="people">Template:Cite news</ref> A formal wedding took place on April 30, 2005, in Los Angeles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2024, the couple filed to dismiss their earlier divorce application "without prejudice."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The couple have two children, a daughter and a son:
- Lady Joscelyn Skye Courtenay<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Jack Haydon Langer Courtenay, Lord Courtenay<ref name="people"/>
In her spare time, Langer raises awareness and money for the research and treatment of fibromyalgia, from which she herself suffers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Template:Sortname | 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
| 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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 1993 | Template:Sortname | 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 | Template:Sortname | 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" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Return to Zork | Rebecca Snoot |
References
External links
- Living people
- 1974 births
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from Los Angeles
- American child actresses
- American film actresses
- American television actresses
- American expatriate actresses
- American expatriates in the United Kingdom
- Courtenay family
- English countesses by marriage