Birthday:  December 5, 1976

Place of Birth:  Dallas, Texas

Marital Status:  Married - Spouse: James Carpinello

Who is she and where does she come from?:

Amy Acker, who appeared in three episodes of "Angel" last season as a girl trapped in another dimension, joins the cast as a series regular this fall for the show's third season.

Born and raised in Dallas, this Texas native studied ballet, modern and jazz dancing for 13 years before heading to Southern Methodist University to study fine arts. While in college, Acker discovered a love for acting and enrolled in theater classes, ultimate graduating with a B.F.A. Soon, she landed a pilot for MTV and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream.

While the pilot didn't go to series, Acker next appeared in several independent films, most notably "Groom Lake," written and directed by William Shatner. After a reading for "Angel," she nailed the recurring role of Fred.

When she's not working, Acker enjoys traveling, reading, skiing, horseback riding and learning to play golf. She relaxes by practicing yoga. Amy currently lives in Los Angeles.