A.J. Langer played the party girl Rayanne on the cult teen drama My So-Called Life, but the actress, whose full name is Allison Joy Langer, hastaken on a much more noble role in real life. The 41-year-old, whomarried British aristocrat Charlie Courtenay in 2004, was recently named Countess of Devon following the death of her father-in-law, the Earl ofDevon, according to the Telegraph. Her husband, a lawyer, has now inherited the title and the family’s 4,000-acre estate,Powderham Castle, nearExeter.
After her stint on the short-lived but critically acclaimed teen drama ended in 1995, Allison went onto appear in Baywatch before meeting her nobleman at the Hard Rock Casino inLas Vegas in 2002. “He was wearing a kilt—on tour with London ScottishRugby," she told website Breezy Mama in 2009. "We smiled at eachother across the crowded room... I had no idea about the castle or titles oranything until he drove me up the driveway months into our relationship—whichwas good ‘cause I wouldn’t have known what to do with that information anyway.“ The couple now have two children, a boy and a girl.
After their wedding 11 years ago the American-born beauty wasgiven the title of "Lady," securing her place in the British aristocracy. "It meansmore to some people and less to others. It definitely makes for interestingconversation, and an interesting story," she said in the interview. "If Charliebecomes the Earl of Devon, my title would become the Countess of Devon and ourkids would be Lords and Ladies. But we don’t use the titles in our daily lives.
They are there and we respect the history that gave rise to them, but in ourreality we’re just a normal family.”
Allison returned to acting after a six year break in 2011 to play Erica Warner on the hit ABC drama Private Practice, but the role ended after her character died. It's expected that Allison and herhusband, 40, will now run the 600-year-old family estate.
Although it aired more than 20 years ago for only one season, My So-Called Life is still considered one of the best teen dramas ever produced. Allison's co-stars Claire Danes and Jared Leto may not have titles but have gone on to considerable fame.