Amy Acker

❧

Wikipedia

Amy Acker
Acker in 2005
Born
Amy Louise Acker

(1976-12-05) December 5, 1976 (age 48)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
EducationSouthern Methodist University (BFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1998–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2003)​
Children2
Websiteamyacker.com

Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976)[1][2] is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Winifred Burkle and Illyria on the supernatural drama series Angel (2001–2004), as Kelly Peyton on the action drama series Alias (2005–2006), and as Root on the science-fiction drama series Person of Interest (2012–2016). From 2017 to 2019, she starred as Caitlin Strucker on the superhero drama series The Gifted, based on Marvel Comics' X-Men.

Early life

Amy Louise Acker was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Her mother is a homemaker and her father is a lawyer.[3][better source needed] She studied ballet and modern dance for fourteen years, but ended her lessons while in high school after an operation on one of her knees.[4] She graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas in 1995, and subsequently earned a bachelor's degree in theater from Southern Methodist University in 1999.[1]

In her junior year of college, Acker modeled for the J. Crew catalog. She worked as a stage actress for several seasons, including a stint at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin.[5]

Career

Acker made her major television debut when she starred as Winifred "Fred" Burkle in Angel (seasons 2–5), and also as the character of Illyria for part of the show's fifth and final season.[6] She won the 2003 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television for her portrayal.[7]

Acker joined the cast of Alias in 2005 for its final season, playing villainess Kelly Peyton. Acker graduated from guest star to cast member as the show entered the final episodes in April and May 2006.[8] Also in 2005, Acker provided voice acting for the character of Huntress (Helena Rosa Bertinelli) on the animated series Justice League Unlimited.[9] She went on to make a guest appearance on How I Met Your Mother,[10] in which she was reunited with Angel co-star Alexis Denisof (the real-life husband of HIMYM star Alyson Hannigan), who had a recurring role on the show.

Acker portrayed Dr. Claire Saunders/Whiskey, a recurring character, on Joss Whedon's Dollhouse.[11] She guest-starred in 10 of the 13 episodes of the first season and three episodes of the second.

In 2010, Acker was a series regular in the ABC drama Happy Town,[12] portraying the character Rachel Conroy. That same year, she starred in the season-one finale of the Fox series Human Target as the mysterious Katherine Walters.[13] On May 25, 2010, she appeared on CBS's The Good Wife. She appeared in the horror movie The Cabin in the Woods,[14] released April 13, 2012. In 2012, she made guest performances in Warehouse 13, Once Upon a Time,[15] and Grimm.[16] Also in 2012, she starred as Beatrice in Joss Whedon's film Much Ado About Nothing.[17]

Acker appeared in season three of the sitcom Husbands as Claudia, Brad Kelly's ex-fiancée who unexpectedly shows up.[18][19] In March 2014, Acker was cast as Audrey Nathan, a former lover to Phil Coulson in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.[20]

Between 2012 and 2016, Acker portrayed Samantha "Root" Groves on the CBS drama Person of Interest; Groves became a regular character starting in the series' third season. Starting with the series' 100th episode, Acker took on the voice role of the Machine.[21][22] In the series finale, she also appeared as the visual manifestation of the Machine.[23]

In March 2017, Acker was cast as Caitlin Strucker in the pilot for the prospective Fox television series The Gifted,[24][25] which was picked up to series in May 2017.[26] The Gifted began airing on October 2, 2017, and Fox canceled the series after two seasons on April 17, 2019.[27]

In 2019, Acker appeared in What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage, a parody of aftershows. She plays Dr. Rachel Layne in the "show-within-a-show", a fictional drama series called The Flare.

Personal life

Acker with her husband, James Carpinello, in 2005

Acker married actor James Carpinello. They have a son, born in 2005, and a daughter, born in 2006.[28]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Accident Nina
2002 Groom Lake Kate [29]
Catch Me If You Can Miggy
2006 The Novice Jill Yarrut [30]
2009 21 and a Wake-Up Caitlin Murphy [31]
2011 Sironia Molly Fisher [32]
2012 The Cabin in the Woods Wendy Lin [14]
Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice [17]
2014 Let's Kill Ward's Wife Gina [33]
2016 The Energy Specialist Claire
2017 Amanda & Jack Go Glamping Amanda [34]
2020 Superman: Red Son Lois Lane (voice) Direct-to-video[35][9]
2020 Outside Woman Short film; also co-director[36]
2024 Ordinary Angels Theresa [37][38]
2024 Average Joe Denise [39]
2025 The Unbreakable Boy Lori [40]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1998-1999 Wishbone Priscilla / Catherine Morland / Venus Episodes: "A Bone of Contention", "Pup Fiction", "A Roamin' Nose"
1999 To Serve and Protect Melissa Jorgensen Episode: "Part II"
2001–2004 Angel Winifred "Fred" Burkle / Illyria Recurring role (season 2); Main role (seasons 3–5)[6]
2003 Return to the Batcave:
The Misadventures of Adam and Burt		 Bonnie Lindsay Television film (CBS)[41]
2004 Johnny Bravo Jackie, Cashier (voice) Episode: "Double Vision"[9]
2005 Supernatural Andrea Barr Episode: "Dead in the Water"
2005–2006 Justice League Unlimited Huntress / Helena Bertinelli (voice) 4 episodes[9]
Alias Kelly Peyton Main role (season 5); 13 episodes[8]
2006 How I Met Your Mother Penelope Episode: "Come On"[10]
2007 Drive Kathryn Tully 3 episodes[42]
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Leslie LeZard Episode: "Smile"
Ghost Whisperer Tessa Episode: "Weight of What Was"
2008 Voices Ellie Daly Television film (a.k.a. A Near Death Experience)[43]
Fire and Ice: The Dragon Chronicles Princess Luisa Television film (Syfy)[44]
October Road Girl in Blue Uniform / Jenny Bristol 2 episodes
Private Practice Molly Madison Episode: "A Family Thing"[45]
2009–2010 Dollhouse Dr. Claire Saunders / Whiskey Recurring role; 14 episodes[46]
2010 Human Target Katherine Walters Episode: "Christopher Chance"[13]
The Good Wife Trish Arkin Episode: "Running"
Happy Town Rachel Conroy Main role; 8 episodes[12]
No Ordinary Family Amanda Grayson Episodes: "No Ordinary Mobster", "No Ordinary Accident"
2011 Dear Santa Crystal Carruthers Television film (Lifetime)[47]
2011, 2013 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Sandy Colfax Episodes: "Man Up", "Backfire"
2012 Grimm Lena Marcenko Episode: "Tarantella"[16]
Once Upon a Time Astrid / Nova Episode: "Dreamy"[15]
Warehouse 13 Tracey Episode: "The Ones You Love"
2012–2016 Person of Interest Samantha "Root" Groves Guest role (season 1); Recurring role (season 2);
Main role (seasons 3–5);[21] 65 episodes
2013 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Nova (voice) 4 episodes[9]
2014 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Audrey Nathan Episode: "The Only Light in the Darkness"[48]
2015 A Novel Romance Sophie Television film (Hallmark)[49]
2015–2019 Suits Esther Litt-Edelstein 5 episodes (seasons 5, 8–9)[50]
2016–2017 MacGyver Sarah Adler Episodes: "Metal Saw", "Screwdriver"[51][52]
2016 A Nutcracker Christmas Lily Television film (Hallmark)[53]
2017–2019 The Gifted Caitlin Strucker Main role[24]
2019 What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage Dr. Rachel Layne Episode: "Family"
Grey's Anatomy Kathleen Shepherd Episode: "Good Shepherd"[54]
2020 God Friended Me Tammy Episode: "Almost Famous"[55]
2021 All Rise Georgia Knight Episodes: "Georgia", "Leap of Faith"[56][57]
Crashing Through the Snow Maggie Television film (Hallmark)[58]
2022 9-1-1: Lone Star Catherine 6 episodes (season 3)[59]
2023 The Watchful Eye Tory Main role[60]
2025 Chicago Med Heather Williams Episode: "The Book of Archer"[61]

Web

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Who Cut the Cake? Ellen 3 episodes
2013 Husbands Claudia "I Do Over" installment[62]
2015–2017 Con Man Dawn Jones 8 episodes[63]

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Work Result Refs
2001 Saturn Awards Cinescape Genre Face of the Future Award - Female Angel Nominated [64]
2002 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Angel Nominated [65]
2003 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Angel Won [66]
2004 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress - Drama Series Angel Nominated [67]
2004 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Angel Nominated [68]
2014 Indie Series Awards Best Guest Star – Comedy Husbands Won [69]


References

  1. 1 2 Anthony Krug, Kurt. "Happy Town star Amy Acker first caught acting bug while growing up in Dallas". Dallas News. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Amy Acker". TV Guide. Retrieved June 13, 2023. Birth name: Amy Louise Acker
  3. ↑ "The Brothers Gililland of Missouri:Information about Amy Louise ACKER". familytreemaker.genealogy.com. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ DeCosemo, Nick (August 2003). "Angel!". FHM (Uk). 164: 125.
  5. ↑ "Actors in Joss Whedon's 'Much Ado' once did Shakespeare at American Players Theatre". The Capital Times. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Angel - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ Peebles, Frank (March 14, 2019). "Amy Acker coming to FanCon". Prince George Citizen. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Acker Made An Alias Regular". Syfy | SCI FI Wire. January 25, 2006. Archived from the original on February 9, 2006. Amy Acker confirmed in an interview in January 2006, "They just made me a regular, so I should be here for the rest [of the season's episodes]..."
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Amy Acker (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 4, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  10. 1 2 Singh, Olivia (September 19, 2022). "57 celebrities you probably forgot guest-starred on 'How I Met Your Mother'". Businessinsider.com.
  11. ↑ "Angel Vet Moves into Whedon's Dollhouse!". TV Guide. April 17, 2008. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  12. 1 2 "Happy Town - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  13. 1 2 French, Dan (March 10, 2010). "'Dollhouse' star for 'Target' finale". digitalspy.com.
  14. 1 2 "The Cabin in the Woods - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Nededog, Jethro (December 19, 2011). "'Angel' Star Amy Acker Lands Guest Role on 'Once Upon a Time'". Hollywoodreporter.com.
  16. 1 2 Nguyen, Hanh (February 9, 2012). "Amy Acker Embraces Playing Grimm's Alluring Black Widow". Yahoo.com.
  17. 1 2 Rothman, Lily (June 6, 2013). "The Beginner's Guide to: Amy Acker of Much Ado About Nothing". Time.com.
  18. ↑ Ng, Philiana (July 5, 2013). "Amy Acker to Guest Star on 'Husbands' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  19. ↑ Barnett, Barbara (October 21, 2011). "Video Interview with the Husbands Gang". blogcritics.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011.
  20. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (March 26, 2014). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Exclusive: Amy Acker to Play Famous Role from Coulson's Past". TV Guide. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  21. 1 2 Webb Mitovich, Matt (July 20, 2013). "Person of Interest: Amy Acker Now Series Regular". TVLine. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  22. ↑ Rice, Lynette (May 31, 2016). "Person of Interest death is TV's latest lesbian fatality". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  23. ↑ Piester, Lauren (June 21, 2016). "Who Survived that Beautiful Person of Interest Series Finale?". E! News. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  24. 1 2 Petski, Denise (March 2, 2017). "Amy Acker To Star In Fox Marvel Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  25. ↑ Outlaw, Kofi (March 10, 2017). "X-Men TV Series 'Gifted' Official Title Revealed". Comicbook.com. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  26. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (May 9, 2017). "Fox Greenlights Marvel Action Series 'The Gifted' From Bryan Singer & Matt Nix — Watch First Teaser". Variety. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  27. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (April 17, 2019). "'The Gifted,' 'Rel' Canceled at Fox". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  28. ↑ Gee, Alison (September 7, 2006). "Alias's Amy Acker, Husband Have a Girl". People. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Groom Lake - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  30. ↑ "The Novice - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Danica McKellar stars in "21 and a Wakeup"". abc7chicago.com. October 29, 2009. 21 and a Wake Up stars Amy Acker (of TV's Angel and Alias) as the film's lead Caitlin Murphy...
  32. ↑ "Sironia - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Let's Kill Ward's Wife - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ Lodge, Guy (November 9, 2017). "Film Review: Amanda & Jack Go Glamping". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  35. ↑ Davis, Brandon (December 18, 2019). "Warner Bros. Announces Superman: Red Son Release Details". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Horror short film shot entirely in lockdown plays on our deepest quarantine fears". The Independent. August 27, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  37. ↑ Grobar, Matt (April 18, 2022). "Kingdom Story Company's 'Ordinary Angels' Adds Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  38. ↑ McKendrick, Devon (April 25, 2022). "Where Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson have been spotted in Winnipeg". CTV News. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Average Joe (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  40. ↑ Scheck, Frank (February 20, 2025). "'The Unbreakable Boy' Review: Zachary Levi in a Real-Life Drama". hollywoodreporter.com.
  41. ↑ "Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Drive - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Voices - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Fire & Ice: The Dragon Chronicles - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  45. ↑ Mitovich, Matt (January 9, 2009). "Exclusive: Private Practice Taps into Buffyverse Once Again". TVguide.com.
  46. ↑ White, Cindy (September 5, 2008). "Acker Opens The Dollhouse Door". Syfy | SCI FI Wire. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008.
  47. ↑ "Dear Santa - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  48. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (March 26, 2014). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Exclusive: Amy Acker to Play Famous Role from Coulson's Past". TVguide.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Amy Acker as Sophie Atkinson on A Novel Romance". hallmarkchannel.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  50. ↑ Weinstein, Shelli (July 9, 2015). "Whedonverse Favorite Amy Acker Is Headed to Suits". TVGuide.com.
  51. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (July 28, 2016). "Amy Acker of 'Person of Interest' Guest Star on CBS' 'Macgyver'". TVline.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016.
  52. ↑ Chan, Robert (September 30, 2016). "'MacGyver': How Amy Acker Ended Up Guest-Starring (and Why She'd Like to Stay)". Yahoo.com.
  53. ↑ "Amy Acker on A Nutcracker Christmas". Hallmarkfamily.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  54. ↑ Petski, Denise (February 13, 2019). "'Grey's Anatomy': Amy Acker Joins ABC Drama As Member Of The Shepherd Family". Deadline Hollywood.
  55. ↑ Jacobs, Meredith (March 27, 2020). "'God Friended Me': Will Guest Star Amy Acker Let Miles Help Her? (VIDEO)". TVinsider.com.
  56. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (March 4, 2021). "Amy Acker Visits CBS' All Rise: Get Details And Official First Look". TVline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  57. ↑ Murray, Rebecca (May 11, 2021). "'All Rise' Season 2 Episode 16 Photos: "Leap of Faith" Preview". Showbizjunkies.com.
  58. ↑ "Amy Acker as Maggie on Crashing Through the Snow". Hallmarkchannel.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  59. ↑ Krug, Kurt Anthony (February 21, 2022). "Amy Acker on Her Recurring Role on 9-1-1: Lone Star". ShowbizJunkies. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  60. ↑ White, Peter (September 13, 2021). "Hitchcockian Nanny Drama From Julie Durk Lands Pilot Order At Freeform; Andrea Londo & Warren Christie Among Stars". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  61. ↑ DeVault, Ryan (April 3, 2025). "Chicago Med cast adds Amy Acker as Heather Williams". monstersandcritics.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  62. ↑ "Husbands | About | CW". cwtvpr.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  63. ↑ "Con Man - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Cinescape Homepage featuring Female Genre Face of the Future Poll". Cinescape. Archived from the original on May 30, 2002. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  65. ↑ Phillips, Jevon (March 6, 2003). "'Towers', 'Report' top Saturn nominees". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  66. ↑ "30th Annual Saturn Awards : Cinescape Review". www.whedon.info. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  67. ↑ "IPA Satellite Awards Nominees". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on April 2, 2004. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  68. ↑ "The SF Site: News". www.sfsite.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  69. ↑ "5th Annual Indie Series Awards Winners". Indie Series Awards. April 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2020.