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Abigail Spencer

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Abigail Spencer
Spencer in 2013
Born
Abigail Leigh Spencer

(1981-08-04) August 4, 1981 (age 43)
Gulf Breeze, Florida, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1997–present
Spouse
Andrew Pruett
​
​
(m. 2004; div. 2013)​
Children1
ParentYancy Spencer III (father)

Abigail Leigh Spencer[1] (born August 4, 1981[2]) is an American actress. She began her career playing Rebecca Tyree on the ABC daytime television soap opera All My Children (1999–2001) before going on to star in the Lifetime crime drama series, Angela's Eyes (2006). From 2013 to 2016, Spencer starred as Amantha Holden in the SundanceTV drama series Rectify, for which she received a nomination for a Critics' Choice Television Award; she then starred as history professor Lucy Preston in the NBC science-fiction series Timeless.

Spencer has appeared in many films, including In My Sleep (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), This Means War (2012), Chasing Mavericks (2012), The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and This Is Where I Leave You (2014). She also had recurring roles on the series Mad Men (2009), Hawthorne (2009–2011), Suits (2011–2019), and Grey's Anatomy (2017–2022).

Early life

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Spencer was born and raised in Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa County, Florida,[3] the daughter of Lydia Ann Brown and surfer Yancy Spencer III.[4] She has two brothers. Spencer has said that she is part Cherokee.[5]

Career

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Spencer's first major acting role was playing Rebecca "Becca" Tyree on ABC soap opera All My Children from June 3, 1999, to April 10, 2001.[6][7] She later starred in Lifetime Television original series Angela's Eyes, which was cancelled on December 1, 2006.[3] In the following years, she began playing guest roles on several television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, How I Met Your Mother, Private Practice and Castle.

Spencer played the role of a blogging enthusiast in Twix advertisements, and portrayed Miss Farrell, a love interest of Don Draper, on AMC's Mad Men in 2009. In early 2011, she landed the lead role on ABC drama pilot Grace by Krista Vernoff.[8] Spencer had previously played the title character in another Krista Vernoff drama pilot, Introducing Lennie Rose, in 2005.[9] Spencer appeared in a recurring role as Dr. Erin Jameson on the TNT series Hawthorne in 2010, and from 2011 to 2019 had a recurring role as Dana "Scottie" Scott, Gabriel Macht's character's old rival, on the USA Network legal drama Suits.[10][11]

Spencer at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards in 2014

Spencer has appeared in several films, including In My Sleep (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), This Means War (2012), and Chasing Mavericks (2012), and she played the lead role in The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013).[12] She appeared in fantasy adventure film Oz the Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, in 2013.[13]

Spencer received critical acclaim for starring as Amantha Holden in the Sundance Channel original drama series Rectify (2013–2017).[14][15] She was nominated for Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her performance in the series.[16][17][18]

Spencer played the lead role in the indie drama A Beautiful Now, written by Daniela Amavia, about a passionate dancer who finds herself considering an extreme act when she reaches a crossroads in her life.[19] She was nominated for a Madrid International Film Festival Award for Best Actress for her performance in film. In 2014, Spencer appeared opposite Jason Bateman in the comedy-drama film This Is Where I Leave You, an ensemble comedy directed by Shawn Levy,[20] and starred with John Travolta and Christopher Plummer in the crime thriller film The Forger.[21][22]

In October 2014, Spencer joined the cast of the second season of HBO crime drama series, True Detective.[23][24]

In 2016, Spencer was cast as lead character Lucy Preston in the NBC series Timeless,[25] where she plays a history professor sent on time travel missions to different eras in an effort to prevent others from disrupting the U.S.-related timestream.[26] A review of the series in Variety called Spencer "prodigiously talented" and that she played "a character whose major personality traits are 'smart' and 'plucky.'"[26] A review by Deadline Hollywood said that the show was a waste of Spencer's talents.[27] The New York Times wrote that "Abigail Spencer is good as Lucy, the spunky historian who is the show's central character."[28] Timeless was renewed by NBC on May 12, 2017. The network had canceled the series days earlier, but reversed the decision.[29] The series ended after two seasons.

Spencer and Duke Johnson's production company, Innerlight Films, has produced award-winning short films such as Here and Now, and the 2015 Oscar short-listed Winter Light.[30] The company has also produced the upcoming film The Actor, based on Donald E. Westlake's novel Memory, starring André Holland and Gemma Chan.[31]

Personal life

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Spencer married Andrew Pruett in 2004 and gave birth to their son in 2008. They filed for divorce in February 2012, divorcing in 2013.[32]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Campfire Stories Melissa
2003 Graduation Night Skye
2005 A Coat of Snow Sandy
2006 Hooked Wendy Short film
2007 Passing the Time Jessica Short film
Jekyll Talia Carew
2010 In My Sleep Gwen
2011 Cowboys & Aliens Alice
2012 This Means War Katie
Chasing Mavericks Brenda Hesson
2013 The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia Lisa Wyrick
Oz the Great and Powerful May
Kilimanjaro Yvonne
Here and Now Woman Short film; also writer and executive producer
2014 The Pieces Vanessa Short film
This Is Where I Leave You Quinn Altman
The Forger Agent Paisley
2015 The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards Abigail
A Walk in Winter Abigail Short film
A Beautiful Now Romy
H8RZ Laura Sedgewick
Stars Heather Short film
2016 The Sweet Life Lolita Nowicki
2017 Three Women Madeline Short film
2018 Buttons: A Christmas Tale Annabelle Hill
2021 The Black Hole Feather (voice) Short film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1999–2001 All My Children Rebecca "Becca" Tyree 21 episodes
2005 Fathers and Sons Clarissa Television film
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Becky Lester Episode: "Bite Me"
2006 Killer Instinct Violet Summers Episode "Love Hurts"
Gilmore Girls Megan Episode: "Bridesmaids Revisited"
Angela's Eyes Angela Henson 13 episodes
Introducing Lennie Rose Lennie Rose Television pilot
2007 Ghost Whisperer Cindy Brown Episode: "Speed Demon"
My Boys Lyssa Episode: "Douchebag in the City"
2007–2014 How I Met Your Mother Blah blah (Carol) 2 episodes
2008 Welcome to the Captain Claire Tanner Episode: "The Letter"
Bones Philipa Fitz Episode: "The Man in the Mud"
Moonlight Simone Walker Episode: "Sonata"
2009 Private Practice Rachel Episode: "Ex-Life"
Mad Men Suzanne Farrell 6 episodes
Castle Sarah Reed Episode: "One Man's Treasure"
2010 Hawthorne Dr. Erin Jameson 8 episodes
The Glades Ashley Carter Episode: "The Girlfriend Experience"
2010–2012 Childrens Hospital Young Chief / Chief in Her 20s / Maxine Spratt 3 episodes
2010 Rex Is Not Your Lawyer Lindsey Steers Television pilot
2011 Grace Sarah Grace Television pilot
2011–2019 Suits Dana "Scottie" Scott 15 episodes
2011 How to be a Gentleman Lydia Episode: "Pilot"
2012–2013 Burning Love Annie 25 episodes
2013–2016 Rectify Amantha Holden 30 episodes
2013 NTSF:SD:SUV Caroline Episode: "Comic Con-Air"
2015 True Detective Gena Brune 6 episodes
2016 Comedy Bang! Bang! Vanna Episode: "Zach Galifianakis Wears Rolled Khakis and Shoes with Brown Laces"
2016–2018 Timeless Lucy Preston 27 episodes
2017–2022 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Megan Hunt 15 episodes
2019 Wayne Donna Luccetti Episode: "Chapter Five: Del"
Reprisal Doris Quinn / Katherine Harlow 10 episodes
2021 Rebel Dr. Misha Nelson 9 episodes
2023–2024 Extended Family Julia Mariano 13 episodes

Accolades

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Year Association Category Work Result
2000 Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Female Newcomer All My Children Won
2013 Critics' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Rectify Nominated
2014 Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Series, Drama Nominated
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress Timeless Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "WHO'S WHO IN THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE: A MAGICALLY MODERN WEDDING". Daily Mail. May 21, 2018. p. 26. ProQuest 2041533201. Abigail Leigh Spencer, American actress, who stars in Suits and Mad Men.
  2. ^ "On This Day, August 4: Today's Birthdays". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 4, 2023. p. A-2. ProQuest 2848111584. Britain's Duchess of Sussex, the former actor Meghan Markle, 42. Actor Abigail Spencer, 42. Actor/director Greta Gerwig, 40. See also:
    • "Today's Birthdays". Cincinnati Enquirer. August 4, 2018. p. SS1-1. ProQuest 2109345106. Britain's Duchess of Sussex, the former actress Meghan Markle, 37. Actress Abigail Spencer, 37. Actress Greta Gerwig, 35.
  3. ^ a b "Abigail Spencer Biography". Buddy TV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  4. ^ "Yancy Spencer III Obituary: View Yancy Spencer's Obituary by the Pensacola News Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  5. ^ Friedman, Jennifer D'Angelo (August 24, 2010). "*Hawthorne* Actress Reveals Her Beauty Secrets". self.com.
  6. ^ "About AMC: About the Actors | Abigail Spencer | All My Children @". Soapcentral. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  7. ^ "Abigail Spencer". TVGuide.com. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2011). "Abigail Spencer To Star In ABC's 'Grace', Several Other Actors Join Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  9. ^ "Breaking News - Development Update: February 17". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  10. ^ Matt Webb Mitovich (June 14, 2011). "Mad Men Alum Abigail Spencer Lawyers Up for USA Network's Suits". TVLine. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  11. ^ Barrett, Annie (September 17, 2013). "'Suits' summer finale preview: Who's a bastard?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  12. ^ "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia". Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  13. ^ Borys Kit (July 5, 2011). "'Mad Men' Actress Abigail Spencer Heads to 'Oz' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "Quintet Of Actors Cast In Sundance Channel's Drama Series 'Rectify'". Deadline Hollywood. April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  15. ^ "Abigail Spencer's 'Timeless' Advice to Actors: 'Just Make Stuff'". TheWrap. June 3, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  16. ^ Sandra Gonzalez (May 22, 2013). "'American Horror Story' and 'The Big Bang Theory' lead Critics Choice nominees". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  17. ^ "Big Bang, Horror Story, Parks & Rec, Good Wife, The Americans Lead Critics Choice Nominations". Entertainment Weekly. May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  18. ^ "2013 Nominations | Categories". International Press Academy. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  19. ^ Borys Kit (March 1, 2013). "'Oz' Actress Abigail Spencer to Star in 'Beautiful Now' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  20. ^ Borys Kit (April 3, 2013). "Abigail Spencer Joins Jason Bateman in 'This Is Where I Leave You' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  21. ^ "Jennifer Ehle, Abigail Spencer Join 'Forger'". The Hollywood Reporter. November 17, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  22. ^ "Jennifer Ehle, Anson Mount, Abigail Spencer Join 'The Forger'". Variety. October 8, 2013.
  23. ^ "'True Detective' Adds Kelly Reilly, Abigail Spencer, Michael Irby and Leven Rambin". TheWrap. October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  24. ^ "'True Detective': Kelly Reilly, Michael Irby, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin Eye Roles". Deadline. October 30, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  25. '^ Michael Ausiello. "Rectifys Abigail Spencer to Star in NBC's Time Travel Drama Pilot From Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan". TVLine. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  26. ^ a b Saraiya, Sonia (September 20, 2016). "TV Review: 'Timeless'". Variety.
  27. ^ Patten, Dominic (October 3, 2016). "'Timeless' & 'Frequency' Review: NBC & CW Time Travel Series Go Nowhere Fast". Deadline Hollywood.
  28. ^ Hale, Mike (October 3, 2016). "Review: In 'Timeless,' a Time-Traveling Trio and a High-Stakes Chase". The New York Times.
  29. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 13, 2017). "'Timeless' Scores Season 2 Order at NBC After Cancellation". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  30. ^ Petski, Denise (February 25, 2021). "Abigail Spencer Joins ABC Drama Series 'Rebel' As Recurring". Deadline.
  31. ^ Scharf, Lindzi (October 18, 2022). "Abigail Spencer". The Retaility. "I'm producing a feature and we're in pre-production in Budapest. I've been putting this movie together for seven years. It's called 'The Actor' and Neon is releasing it. André Holland and Gemma Chan are our leads.
  32. ^ "'HawthoRNe' Star Abigail Spencer Files for Divorce". TMZ. February 26, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
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