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A. J. Langer

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A. J. Langer
Born
Allison Joy Langer

(1974-05-22) May 22, 1974 (age 50)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Other namesAllison Joy Courtenay
OccupationActress
Years active1990–2007, 2011–2013
Spouse
Children2[1]

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.

Early years

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Born 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

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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

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Langer 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:

  • Lady Joscelyn Skye Courtenay[9]
  • Jack Haydon Langer Courtenay, Lord Courtenay[4]

In her spare time, Langer raises awareness and money for the research and treatment of fibromyalgia, from which she herself suffers.[10]

Filmography

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Film

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Perry, Simon (November 21, 2017). "'My So-Called Life' Star". people.com.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Baker, Calvin (August 5, 1996). "Escape from TV". People magazine. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "AJ Langer's Son Becomes Heir to Royal Title". People. August 27, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  5. ^ "Titled Match". People Magazine. Archived from the original on March 30, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Earl of Devon to divorce 'Devon's Meghan Markle' AJ Langer". Devon Live. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Passages". People. 67 (9). March 5, 2007.
  10. ^ Morgan, John; Shoop, Stephen A. (April 9, 2001). "A.J. Langer mellows out to fight fibromyalgia". USA Today. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  11. ^ "Sega Star Kids Challenge at Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida (1992)". YouTube. March 24, 2022.
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