Ally Walker

{{Infobox person

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| name = Ally Walker

| birth_name = Allene Damian Walker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1961|08|25}}

| birth_place = Tullahoma, Tennessee, U.S.

| occupation = Actor

| height = 5 feet 10 inches

| years_active = 1988–present

| spouse = {{marriage|John Landgraf|1997}}

| children = 3

| alma_mater = University of California,
Santa Cruz
B.S., Biochemistry

}}

Allene Damian "Ally" Walker (born August 25, 1961) is an American actress. She made her television debut in the NBC daytime soap opera Santa Barbara (1988) before landing the leading roles on the short-lived dramas True Blue (1989–1990), and Moon Over Miami (1993).

During the 1990s, Walker had roles in films such as Universal Soldier (1992), Singles (1992), When the Bough Breaks (1994), While You Were Sleeping (1995), Kazaam (1996), and Happy, Texas (1999). From 1996 to 1999, she played the leading role of Doctor Samantha Waters in the NBC crime drama series Profiler, for which she received a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television nomination. She returned to television with a role in the HBO drama series Tell Me You Love Me (2007), and later played villainous Agent June Stahl in the FX crime drama, Sons of Anarchy (2008–2010). Walker also had the leading role in the short-lived Lifetime police drama series The Protector in 2011. During seasons 4 and 5 (2014 and 2015) of Longmire, she played Dr. Donna Monaghan, a therapist treating veterans who is the title character's love interest.

Early life

Walker was born in Tullahoma, Tennessee, to James Joseph Walker, a physicist, and Louhannah (née Mann) who would become an attorney.{{cite web|url=http://obits.abqjournal.com/obits/show/177326|title=James Joseph Walker Obituary|date=August 16, 2007|work=Albuquerque Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806210800/http://obits.abqjournal.com/obits/show/177326 |archive-date=August 6, 2018}} She grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where her father worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Originally intending to become a scientist, she attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she earned a degree in biochemistry in 1983.{{cite news |last1=Hermann |first1=Paula |title=Hollywood trailblazer: Ally Walker |url=https://news.ucsc.edu/2021/12/walker.html |access-date=12 October 2023 |work=UC Santa Cruz Newscenter |publisher=Regents of the University of California |date=December 21, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ally-walker/bio/139227/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621082418/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ally-walker/bio/139227|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 21, 2009|title=Ally Walker|publisher=TV Guide|access-date=5 September 2015}} While spending a semester at Richmond College of Arts in London, UK, she discovered an interest in performing. After graduation, she worked for a time sequencing DNA at a genetic engineering company, but then sold all her possessions, traveled to Australia, surfed, and worked a series of jobs before returning to Los Angeles. Although she planned to enter medical school, instead she became a model and obtained roles in commercials including as Clairol’s “Nice & Easy Girl”. Her acting career began when she was cast in the film Aloha Summer (1988), but her scene was cut from the final version.{{deadlinks|date=October 2023}}

Career

In early 1988, Walker joined the cast of NBC daytime soap opera Santa Barbara, playing Andrea Bedford. Later that year, she began appearing on primetime television. During the 1989–90 television season, she played the female lead in the short-lived NBC crime drama series True Blue. She later guest-starred on Matlock, L.A. Law, and Tales from the Crypt. She starred in the 1991 NBC television movie Perry Mason and the Case of the Fatal Fashion as murderer Julia Collier; the devious daughter of Diana Muldaur's character. In 1993, she starred alongside Billy Campbell in the short-lived ABC comedy-drama, Moon Over Miami.{{cite web | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/11/01/serendipity-shines-on-actress-ally-walker/| title=Serendipity Shines On Actress Ally Walker| work=Orlando Sentinel | access-date=5 September 2015}}{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/10/15/moon-over-miamiaiming-for-stardom/| title='Moon Over Miami' Aiming For Stardom | first=Paul | last=Lomatire | date=15 October 1993 | work=Chicago Tribune | access-date=2 June 2023 | url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424070125/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-10-15/features/9310150092_1_gwen-cross-filming-walker | archive-date=24 April 2015}}

In 1992, Walker played the female leading role opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in the science-fiction action film {{film year|Universal Soldier|1992}} directed by Roland Emmerich.{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/universal_soldier/| title=Universal Soldier |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes | date=10 July 1992| access-date=5 September 2015}} Later that year, she played Sheila Kelley's grouchy roommate in the Cameron Crowe romantic comedy {{film year|Singles|1992}}.{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1040379-singles/|title=Singles |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes| date=18 September 1992| access-date=5 September 2015}} Her first star-billed role was in the 1994 thriller When the Bough Breaks.{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/when-the-bough-breaks-v154189| title=When the Bough Breaks (1994) – Michael Cohn – Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | first=Sandra | last=Brennan | publisher=AllMovie | access-date=5 September 2015}} In 1995, she had supporting roles in Sandra Bullock's box-office hit {{film year|While You Were Sleeping}}, and Andy García's flop Steal Big Steal Little.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=stealbigsteallittle.htm|title=Steal Big, Steal Little (1995) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=5 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ally_walker/|title=Ally Walker|website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=5 September 2015}} The following year, Walker co-starred alongside Shaquille O'Neal in the fantasy comedy film, Kazaam.

In 1996, Walker was listed as one of People{{'}}s "40 Most Fascinating People on TV".{{cite web | url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20142133,00.html | title=TV's Most Fascinating People | date=2 September 1996 | work=People | access-date=2 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108173534/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20142133,00.html | archive-date=8 January 2009}} The same year she was cast in the leading role as Doctor Samantha Waters in the NBC crime drama series Profiler, a role for which she received a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television nomination in 1998, and a Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama.{{cite web | url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards1998.shtml |title=1998 2nd Annual Satellite™ Awards |publisher=International Press Academy |access-date=7 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201175654/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards1998.shtml |archive-date=1 February 2008 }} Walker starred as the series lead during the first three seasons, but left the show in the fall of 1999. She was replaced by Jamie Luner as a new profiler during the show's final season.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.ew.com/article/1999/07/12/dmx-arrested-trinidad | title=DMX is arrested in Trinidad | first=Sandra P. | last=Angulo | date=12 July 1999 | magazine=Entertainment Weekly| access-date=2 June 2023}} Later in 1999, Walker co-starred opposite Steve Zahn in the comedy film {{film year|Happy, Texas}}, and played the lead role in the Lifetime television movie, {{film year|If You Believe}}.{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/happy_texas/| title=Happy, Texas| website=Rotten Tomatoes| date=1 October 1999| access-date=5 September 2015}}{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/reviews/if-you-believe-1117759824/ | title=If You Believe | first=Ramin | last=Zahed | work=Variety | date=6 December 1999 | access-date=5 September 2015}}

In 2002, Walker returned to star in and produce the ABC pilot comedy called My Wonderful Life,{{cite web | url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/devwatch/my-wonderful-life/|title=Shows A-Z - my wonderful life on abc - TheFutonCritic.com| access-date=5 September 2015}} which was not picked up.{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/22/an-interview-with-ally-walker| title=An Interview with Ally Walker| work=IGN| date=22 August 2003| access-date=5 September 2015}} In 2005, she released a documentary film For Norman... Wherever You Are as director and producer, which screened at several film festivals.{{cite web | url=http://www.allywalker.com/bio.asp| title=Ally Walker – Official Site – About Me| access-date=5 September 2015}} She returned to the New York stage, appearing in a number of Off-Broadway productions. From 2005 to 2010, Walker played many guest roles on television, including Sleeper Cell, ER, The Shield, Boston Legal, Law & Order, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Southland, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

In 2007, Walker starred in the HBO drama series about sexual relationships, Tell Me You Love Me.{{cite magazine | url=https://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/07/let_me_say_this_up/| title=Tell Me You Love Me: True Love Is Not Nice| magazine=Time | date=7 September 2007| access-date=5 September 2015| last1=Poniewozik| first1=James}} The series was cancelled after a single season.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.ew.com/article/2008/07/26/no-second-seaso | title='Tell Me You Love Me': HBO pulls the plug after all | first=Lynette | last=Rice | date=26 July 2008 | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | access-date=2 June 2023}} In 2009, she co-starred in films Toe to Toe and {{film year|Wonderful World|2009}} opposite Matthew Broderick. From 2008 to 2010, Walker had the recurring role as ATF Agent June Stahl, a major antagonist on the FX crime drama series Sons of Anarchy.{{cite web | url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/sons-anarchy-ally-walker-1026276/ | title=Sons of Anarchy Exclusive: Ally Walker Discusses the Powerful Season Finale | first=Adam | last=Bryant| date=1 December 2010 | work=TVGuide.com | access-date=5 September 2015}}

In 2011, Walker played the leading role in the Lifetime police drama series The Protector, which revolves around a single mother who struggles to balance her family and professional life as an LAPD homicide detective.{{cite magazine | last=Rice | first=Lynette | url=https://ew.com/article/2011/02/07/lifetime-picks-up-two-procedural-dramas/ | title=Lifetime picks up two procedurals | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | date=7 February 2011 | access-date=2015-08-10}}{{cite web | url=http://snarkerati.com/tv-news/exit-19-becomes-the-protector-for-lifetime-set-to-air-2011-2012/ | title=Exit 19 becomes The Protector for Lifetime set to air 2011–2012 | date=4 May 2011 | website=Snarkerati.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507181626/http://snarkerati.com/tv-news/exit-19-becomes-the-protector-for-lifetime-set-to-air-2011-2012/ | archive-date=7 May 2011}} The series was canceled after one season.{{cite web | url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/09/lifetime-cancels-drama-the-protector/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227004646/http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/lifetime-cancels-drama-the-protector/| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 27, 2011| title=Lifetime Cancels Drama 'The Protector' | first=Nellie | last=Andreeva | date=8 September 2011 | work=Deadline | access-date=5 September 2015}} In 2014, she played the mother of Chyler Leigh's lead character in the short-lived NBC police procedural, Taxi Brooklyn.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2013/08/chyler-leigh-jacky-ido-jennifer-esposito-ally-walker-to-star-in-luc-bessongary-scott-thompsons-tf1-show-taxibrooklyn-south-560165/| title=Chyler Leigh, Jacky Ido, Jennifer Esposito & Ally Walker To Star In Luc Besson/Gary Scott Thompson's TF1 Show 'Taxi: Brooklyn South'| first=Nellie| last=Andreeva| work=Deadline| date=8 August 2013| access-date=5 September 2015}} She made her feature scripted film directing and writing debut with Sex, Death and Bowling starring Selma Blair.{{cite web | first=Dave | last=McNary | url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/selma-blair-bailey-chase-to-star-in-sex-death-and-bowling-exclusive-1200692588/ | title=Selma Blair, Bailey Chase Star in 'Sex, Death and Bowling' | work=Variety | date=3 October 2013 | access-date=2015-08-10}}{{cite web | url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/monterey-media-acquires-ally-walkers-debut-feature-sex-death-and-bowling-20150728| title=Monterey Media Acquires Ally Walker's Debut Feature 'Sex' | first=Sarah | last=Choi | date=28 July 2015 | work=Indiewire | access-date= 5 September 2015}} In 2015, she was cast in the recurring roles in the Netflix crime drama Longmire,{{cite web | url=https://tvline.com/2015/05/27/longmire-season-4-cast-ally-walker/ | title=Longmire Season 4: Ally Walker Lands Mystery Role, as Series Heads to Netflix | first=Matt Webb | last=Mitovich | work=TVLine| date=27 May 2015 | access-date=5 September 2015}} and USA Network thriller, Colony.{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/colony-ally-walker-recur-season-820083| title=USA's 'Colony' Enlists 'Sons of Anarchy' Alum for Recurring Role | first=Kate | last=Stanhope | work=The Hollywood Reporter| date=3 September 2015 | access-date=2 June 2023}} Most recently she appeared as Captain Ava Lafrey in the short-lived Fox horror-comedy sitcom Ghosted from 2017-2018.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/ghosted-ally-walker-star-fox-comedy-pilot-1202032833/| title=‘Ghosted’: Ally Walker To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot | first=Denise | last=Petski | work=Deadline| date=1 March 2017 | access-date=3 September 2023}}

Bibliography

The Light Runner (2025)

Personal life

On June 14, 1997, Walker married John Landgraf, then a producer for NBC, at her parents' home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple have three sons: Walker, Will, and Cal. She has a sister named Elizabeth and a brother named Jim.{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/info/ally-walker-info.aspx|title=Ally Walker Biography|website=BuddyTV|access-date=5 September 2015}}

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
1988 \| Aloha Summer \| \| Scenes deleted
1991 \| Eye of the Storm \| Killer Girl \|
1991 \| Ragin' Cajun \| Kati \|
1992 \| Universal Soldier \| Veronica Roberts \|
1992 \| Singles \| Pam \|
1993 \| The Seventh Coin \| Lisa \|
1994 \| When the Bough Breaks \| Audrey Macleah \|
1995 \| Just Looking \| Sherrie \|
1995 \| Someone to Die For \| Alex Donaldson \|
1995 \| While You Were Sleeping \| Ashley Bartlett Bacon \|
1995 \| Steal Big Steal Little \| Bonnie Martin \|
1996 \| Bed of Roses \| Wendy \|
1996 \| Kazaam \| Alice Connor \|
1997 \| Brittle Glory \| Elise Rosen \|
1998 \| Welcome to Hollywood \| Herself \|
1999 \| Happy, Texas \| Josephine "Joe" McClintock the Banker \|
2005 \| For Norman... Wherever You Are \| \| Documentary; director and producer
2007 \| By Appointment Only \| Val Spencer \| Also writer
2009 \| Toe to Toe \| Claire \|
2009 \| Wonderful World \| Eliza \|
2013 \| Angel's Perch \| Judy \|
2013 \| Mischief Night \| Dr. Pomock \|
2014 \| April Rain \| Linda \|
2015 \| Sex, Death and Bowling \| \| Director, writer and producer
2020 \|When We Kill the Creators \| Walker \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

1988

| Aloha Summer

| Scenes deleted

1991

| Eye of the Storm

| Killer Girl

1991

| Ragin' Cajun

| Kati

1992

| Universal Soldier

| Veronica Roberts

1992

| Singles

| Pam

1993

| The Seventh Coin

| Lisa

1994

| When the Bough Breaks

| Audrey Macleah

1995

| Just Looking

| Sherrie

1995

| Someone to Die For

| Alex Donaldson

1995

| While You Were Sleeping

| Ashley Bartlett Bacon

1995

| Steal Big Steal Little

| Bonnie Martin

1996

| Bed of Roses

| Wendy

1996

| Kazaam

| Alice Connor

1997

| Brittle Glory

| Elise Rosen

1998

| Welcome to Hollywood

| Herself

1999

| Happy, Texas

| Josephine "Joe" McClintock the Banker

2005

| For Norman... Wherever You Are

| Documentary; director and producer

2007

| By Appointment Only

| Val Spencer

| Also writer

2009

| Toe to Toe

| Claire

2009

| Wonderful World

| Eliza

2013

| Angel's Perch

| Judy

2013

| Mischief Night

| Dr. Pomock

2014

| April Rain

| Linda

2015

| Sex, Death and Bowling

| Director, writer and producer

2020

|When We Kill the Creators

| Walker

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
1988 \| Santa Barbara \| Andrea Bedford \| Series regular (94 episodes)
1989 \| Swimsuit \| Romella \| Television film
1989–1990 \| True Blue \| Officer Jessica Haley \| Series regular (12 episodes)
1990 \| Matlock \| Renee Williams \| Episode: "The Biker"
1991 \| Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion \| Julia Collier \| Television film
1991 \| L.A. Law \|Christina Shepherd \|Episodes: "Pump It Up” and “Mutinies on the Banzai”
1991 \|Tales from the Crypt \|Elaine Tillman \|Episode: "Mournin' Mess"
1992 \| The Witches of Eastwick \| Alexandra Spofford \| Pilot
1993 \| Moon Over Miami \| Gwen Cross \| Series regular, 13 episodes
1996 \| Wings \| Melissa Williams \| Episode: "Love at First Flight"
1996–1999 \| Profiler \| Doctor Samantha Waters \| Series regular (64 episodes) Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television (1998) and Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1998)
1999 \| The Pretender \| Doctor Samantha Waters \| Episode: "End Game"
1999 \| If You Believe \| Susan Stone \| Television film
2002 \| My Wonderful Life \| Billie \| Pilot
2005 \| Sleeper Cell \| Lynn Ellen Emerson \| 2 episodes
2006 \| ER \| Fran Bevens \| Episode: "Body & Soul"
2006 \| The Shield \| Tori Burke \| Episode: "Postpartum"
2007 \| American Dad! \| Melinda (voice) \| Episode: "Four Little Words"
2007 \| Tell Me You Love Me \| Katie \| Series regular (10 episodes)
2008 \| Boston Legal \| Attorney Phoebe Prentice \| 2 episodes
2008 \| Law & Order \| Gretchen Steel \| Episode: "Driven"
2009 \| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation \| Rita Nettles \| Episode: "Hog Heaven"
2009 \| Southland \| Dr. Merrill Matthews \| 2 episodes
2010 \| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit \| Dr. Fran Stanton \| Episode: "Conned"
2008–2010 \| Sons of Anarchy \| Agent June Stahl \| 19 episodes
2011 \| The Protector \| Gloria Sheppard \| Series regular (13 episodes)
2014 \| Taxi Brooklyn \| Frankie Sullivan \| Series regular (12 episodes)
2015–2016 \| Longmire \| Dr. Donna Monaghan \| 8 episodes
2016–2018 \| Colony \| Helena Goldwin \| 16 episodes
2017–2018 \|Ghosted \|Capt. Ava Lafrey \| Series regular (16 episodes)

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

1988

| Santa Barbara

| Andrea Bedford

| Series regular (94 episodes)

1989

| Swimsuit

| Romella