Amy Acker Movies and Career Information

Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles on the television series Angel as Winifred Burkle and Illyria, on Alias as Kelly Peyton, and on Dollhouse as Dr. Claire Saunders/Whiskey. She appeared in the ABC series Happy Town before its cancellation. Acker was born and raised in Dallas, where she graduated Lake Highlands High School. She subsequently earned a bachelor's degree in theater from Southern Methodist University. In her junior year of college, Acker enjoyed a short stint of modeling work for the J. Crew clothing catalog. In 1999, she was nominated for a Leon Rabin award for "Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role" for her performance in the play Thérèse Raquin. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the same year. She worked as a stage actress for several seasons, including a stint at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Acker made her major television debut when she starred as Winifred "Fred" Burkle on the second through fifth seasons of Angel and also as the character of Illyria for part of the show's fifth and final season. She won the 2003 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress