Leigh-Allyn Baker (born March 13, 1972) is an American actress. She had recurring roles on Charmed and as Ellen on Will & Grace, and a starring role as mother Amy Duncan on the Disney Channel sitcom Good Luck Charlie. She also provided the voice of Abby on the animated Nickelodeon series Back at the Barnyard.
Leigh-Allyn Baker | |
|---|---|
 Baker in 2024 | |
| Born | March 13, 1972[1][2] Murray, Kentucky, U.S.[3] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Agent | CESD Talent (voice-over)[4] |
| Spouse |
Keith Kauffman (m. 2004) |
| Children | 2[2] |
Career
editBaker has done voice work in video games for the Star Trek and X-Men and guest starred in television shows such as That '70s Show, Early Edition, and Yes, Dear, among other series. She also starred in the short-lived 1996 sitcom The Last Frontier and voiced Lu Zhi in the 2010 game Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer.
Baker is also known to television audiences for her recurring roles as Hannah Webster in the first season of Charmed and as Ellen, the long-time friend of Grace Adler (Debra Messing) on Will & Grace, a role she played from the show's first season in 1998 through its last in 2006 (and again in 2018, in the show's revival). She is also known for providing the voice of Abby in the Nickelodeon animated series Back at the Barnyard.
In late 2008, Baker appeared on several episodes of Hannah Montana playing Mickey, a morning show host. She starred as Amy Duncan, the matriarch of the Duncan family on the Disney Channel original sitcom Good Luck Charlie, which ran from 2010 to 2014.
Baker has also made an appearance, along with her co-star Mia Talerico, on the sketch comedy show, So Random!
In 2015, she starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Bad Hair Day, which she also produced. She plays Liz Morgan, a "down on her luck" cop who must get a priceless necklace by teaming up with high school senior, played by Laura Marano.[5][6] In an interview with Variety, Baker said, "I wanted to executive produce because I wanted to see what it was like to build and fulfill a vision from the ground up, and since this was Disney Channel's first movie with an adult lead, I wanted that role to be protected and I wanted the movie to have my creative stamp on it." She also liked that she got to work on the Disney movie because it taps into her family unit fanbase.[7] In 2016, she starred in the faith-based Christmas film, Wish for Christmas.[8]
Personal life
editFamily
editBaker married entertainment executive Keith James Kauffman in 2004.[9] They have two sons.[2] The elder son has been diagnosed with dyspraxia.[10]
Opposition to mask mandate for children
editOn August 12, 2021, Baker spoke in opposition to a decision by the Williamson County Board of Education in Williamson County, Tennessee for a temporary one-month county-wide mask mandate for elementary school students. She supported her opposition by stating that both of her two sons had medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccines due to past injuries from being vaccinated, because their brains need oxygen to grow and her belief that the mandate was unconstitutional.[11][12][13]
Filmography
editLive-action filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Almost Perfect | Gina | Episode: "A Midseason Night's *** Comedy" | |
| The Last Frontier | Joy Garfield | 2 episodes | ||
| 1997 | Fired Up | Janet | Episode: "Truth and Consequences" | |
| 1998–2006, 2017–2020 |
Will & Grace | Ellen | Recurring role | |
| 1998–1999 | Charmed | Hannah Webster | Recurring role | |
| 1999 | Family Law | Laurie Carrigalo | Episode: "Damages" | |
| 2000 | Early Edition | Kate O'Rourke | Episode: "Luck o' the Irish" | |
| 2001 | The Geena Davis Show | Miss Susie | Episode: "Car Wash" | |
| 2002 | Yes, Dear | Stacey | Episode: "Johnny Ampleseed" | |
| 2003 | That 70s Show | Officer Debbie | Episode: "Hey Hey What Can I Do?" | |
| 2005 | Las Vegas | Charlene | Episode: "When You Got To Go, You Go To Go" | |
| Boston Legal | Frannie Huber | Episode: "Tortured Souls" | ||
| 2006 | House | Claire | Episode: "Euphoria: Part 2" | |
| The King of Queens | Jessica | Episode: "Affair Trade" | ||
| 2007 | In Case of Emergency | Maureen | 5 episodes | |
| My Name is Earl | Nicole Moses | Episode: "Harassed a Reporter" | [14] | |
| 2008–2009 | Hannah Montana | Mickey | 2 episodes | |
| 2008 | 12 Miles of Bad Road | Marilyn Hartsong | Main role | |
| 2010–2014 | Good Luck Charlie | Amy Duncan | Main role Directed 2 episodes |
|
| 2011 | So Random! | Herself | Episode: "Leigh Allyn Baker and Mia Talerico" | |
| 2014 | Dog with a Blog | Cheri | Episode: "Who's Training Who?" | |
| 2016 | Roommates | Mrs. Campbell | Episode: "Five Guys and Thanksgiving" | |
| 2017 | Battle of the Network Stars | Herself | Episode: "Cops vs. TV Sictoms" | |
| Real Rob | Mrs. Betty | 2 episodes | ||
| 2019 | Malibu Rescue | Dylan's Mom | Episode: "Stranger Flings" | |
| 2021 | Your Family or Mine? | Sandra Jackson | Announced |
Feature films and television films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Shrunken Heads | Mitzi | ||
| 1995 | Leprechaun 3 | Waitress | ||
| 1997 | Inner Shadow | Gaika | ||
| Swing Blade | Lauranne | |||
| Breast Men | Implant Removal Patient | |||
| 1999 | A Wake in Providence | Connie | ||
| 2000 | Very Mean Men | Mary | ||
| 2004 | The Crux | Woman Hanging from the Rope | Short film | |
| 2011 | Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! | Amy Duncan | Disney Channel Original Movie | |
| 2015 | Bad Hair Day | Liz Morgan | Disney Channel Original Movie; executive producer | [15] |
| 2016 | Little Savages | Jackie | ||
| Wish for Christmas | Elizabeth MecLaren | |||
| 2017 | Camp Cool Kids | Taryn | Direct-to-video | |
| Swiped | Leah Singer | |||
| 2018 | Running from My Roots | Vanessa Reynolds | Also known as Take 2 for Faith | |
| 2019 | Misfits | Roxy Gaines | ||
| 2022 | Family Camp | Grace Ackerman |
Voice-over filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1997 | Spider-Man | Alisa Silvermane / Alisa Silver | 4 episodes | [16] |
| 1996 | The Incredible Hulk | Taylor, Maureen | Episode: "Man to Man, Beast to Beast | [16] |
| 2006 | American Dad! | Margie | Episode: "It's Good to Be the Queen" | |
| 2007–2011 | Back at the Barnyard | Abby, Etta, various voices | 52 episodes | |
| 2011 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Bella Bon Bueno, Woman | Episode: "Whispers and Coups/Brush with Danger" | |
| 2013–2016 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Queen Coralie, Mermaid #1, Mermaid #2 | 9 episodes | |
| 2014–2016 | The 7D | Queen Delightful, Snazzy Shazam | 44 episodes | [17][18] |
| 2017–2021 | Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures | Fiona Featherstone, Portia DeHound, Mrs. McBilly, Heidi, Coach Hannah, Lisa Longtree, Dandelion Doozy, Nina Doozy, | 12 episodes | |
| 2017–2019 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Mail Monster, Additional voices/Unicorn | 5 episodes |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Ref | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force | Crewman Juliet Jurot | ||
| 2002 | Command & Conquer: Renegade | Dr. Sydney Mobius | ||
| 2003 | Star Trek: Elite Force II | Ensign Juliet Jurot | ||
| 2004 | X-Men Legends | Jean Grey | ||
| EverQuest II | Merchant and others | |||
| 2005 | X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse | Jean Grey | ||
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Laura Douglas, Caroline Higgins, Hanna Pritchard, Suzanne Stokes, Andrea Warren | |||
| 2006 | Curious George | Narrator | ||
| Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express | Countess Andrenyi, Mary Debenham | |||
| 2007 | God of War II | Lahkesis, Bathhouse Girl 2 | [19][20] | Credited as Leigh Allyn Baker |
| Mass Effect | Major Elena Flores, Rebekah Petrovsky | |||
| 2008 | The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft | Laura Hardy | Credited as Leigh Allyn Baker | |
| Gears of War 2 | KR Pilot #2, COG Medic #1, Centaur Driver #1 | [21] | ||
| 2009 | G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra | Scarlett | ||
| Halo Wars | Spartan Alice-130, Adam's mom, additional voices | |||
| 2011 | Star Wars: The Old Republic | Various voices | ||
| 2012 | The Secret World | Madame Rogêt, additional voices | ||
| 2013 | Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Additional voices | [22] | Credited as Leigh Allyn Baker |
| 2021 | Mass Effect: Legendary Edition | Major Elena Flores, Rebekah Petrovsky | Credited as Leigh Allyn Baker |
References
edit- ^ Leigh-Allyn Baker [@L_A_Baker] (March 13, 2015). "Baker thanks Disney Channel's tweet wishing her a Happy Birthday" (Tweet). Retrieved March 17, 2015 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "Leigh-Allyn Baker Welcomes Son Baker James". People. September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ "Disney Channel Bios – Leigh-Allyn Baker". Disneyabcpress.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
Born and raised in Murray, Kentucky
- ^ Leigh-Allyn Baker [@L_A_Baker] (July 29, 2015). "She's been my friend and voice over agent for over 20 years! I love you @CatheyLizzio @CESDTalent" (Tweet). Retrieved August 3, 2015 – via Twitter.
- ^ Elizabeth Wagmeister (2 February 2015). "[WATCH] 'Bad Hair Day': Laura Marano's First Disney Channel Original Movie — Clip – Variety". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ Variety Staff (8 July 2014). "'Bad Hair Day': Laura Marano, Leigh-Allyn Baker to Star in Disney Channel Original Movie". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2015-02-02). "Laura Marano & Leigh-Allyn Baker Preview Disney Movie 'Bad Hair Day' (Exclusive Clip)". Variety.
- ^ Klett, Leah Marieann. "Good Luck Charlie' Actress Leigh-Allyn Baker on Heartwarming New PureFlix Film 'Wish for Christmas' (Interview)". www.gospelherald.com. The Gospel Herald. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ Tracked, Mommy. (2010-04-16) "Interview with Leigh-Allyn Baker. Shine.yahoo.com. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.
- ^ Kimble, Lindsay (July 19, 2017). "Will & Grace Alum Leigh-Allyn Baker on Learning Her Son Has Dyspraxia: 'I've Never Experienced That Kind of Emotion'". People. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
- ^ Noble, Alex (August 12, 2021). "Ex Disney Channel Star Leigh-Allyn Baker Goes on Anti-Mask Rant at Tennessee School Board Meeting (Video)". The Wrap. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Moore, Sam (August 12, 2021). "Will & Grace actor Leigh-Allyn Baker among anti-maskers at school board meeting". The Independent. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ White, Abbey (August 12, 2021). "'Good Luck Charlie,' 'Will & Grace' Actress Leigh-Allyn Baker Among Anti-Maskers at Tennessee School Board Meeting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "My Name Is Earl". 4 February 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Bibel, Sara. "Original Movie 'Bad Hair Day' Starring Laura Marano & Leigh-Allyn Baker to Premiere Friday, February 13 on Disney Channel". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ a b Bibel, Anon. "Leigh-Allyn Baker". TV Guide (Press release). Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "'The 7D' Report for July 7 Disney XD Premiere". Animation Magazine. April 25, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
DisneyChannelPR (April 3, 2014). "Kelly Osbourne joins the cast of Disney's The 7D, a contemporary, comedic take on the seven dwarfs, premiering this summer" (Press release). Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. - ^ "Cat on a Hot Grim Roof". The 7D. Episode 17b.
- ^ Barlog, Cory (2007-03-13), God of War II (Action, Adventure, Fantasy), Linda Hunt, Terrence 'T C. ' Carson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Carole Ruggier, SCEA Santa Monica Studios, retrieved 2020-09-29
- ^ Santa Monica Studio (March 13, 2007). God of War II (PS2). Sony Entertainment. Scene: Credits.
"Leigh Allyn Baker - Lahkesis, Bathhouse Girl 2
- ^ "Gears of War 2 Credits". Microsoft Game Studios. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ^ Square Enix. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Scene: Closing credits, 5 minutes in, Voice Actors, Additional Voices.