Nancy Travis
American actress (born 1961)
title: "Nancy Travis" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1961-births", "20th-century-american-actresses", "21st-century-american-actresses", "american-film-actresses", "american-stage-actresses", "american-television-actresses", "american-voice-actresses", "circle-in-the-square-theatre-school-alumni", "living-people", "actresses-from-queens,-new-york"] description: "American actress (born 1961)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Travis" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American actress (born 1961) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Nancy Travis |
| image | Nancy Travis 2012.jpg |
| caption | Travis in 2012 |
| birth_name | Nancy Ann Travis |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | New York City, U.S. |
| education | New York University (BA) |
| occupation | |
| known_for | {{plainlist |
| yearsactive | 1985–present |
| spouse | |
| children | 2 |
| :: |
| name = Nancy Travis | image = Nancy Travis 2012.jpg | caption = Travis in 2012 | birth_name = Nancy Ann Travis | birth_date = | birth_place = New York City, U.S. | education = New York University (BA) | alma_mater = | occupation = | known_for = {{plainlist|
- Chris Connor - Becker
- Vanessa Baxter - Last Man Standing}} | television = | yearsactive = 1985–present | spouse = | children = 2 Nancy Ann Travis (born September 21, 1961) is an American actress. She began her career on Off-Broadway theater, before her first leading screen role in the ABC television miniseries Harem opposite Omar Sharif. Her breakthrough came in 1987, playing Sylvia Bennington in the comedy film Three Men and a Baby. She later starred in its sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady (1990).
Travis has starred in many films, including Internal Affairs (1990), Air America (1990), Passed Away (1992), Chaplin (1992), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), Greedy (1994), and Fluke (1995). On television, Travis went on to star in the CBS sitcom Almost Perfect in 1995, which ran two seasons, and in the short-lived Work with Me (1999). In 2002, she played a leading role in the ABC miniseries Rose Red, and later joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Becker for its final two seasons.
From 2011 to 2021, Travis starred as Vanessa Baxter in the ABC/Fox sitcom Last Man Standing. From 2018 to 2019, she also starred opposite Michael Douglas in the Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method. In 2023, Travis starred in the Hallmark Channel neo-Western drama series, Ride.
Early life
Travis was born in Queens, the daughter of Theresa, a social worker, and Gordon Travis, a sales executive. Travis was raised in Framingham, Massachusetts, and Baltimore, Maryland. She was raised Catholic. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from New York University.
Career
Travis's first job after graduating from high school was in a play, It's Hard to Be a Jew, at The American Jewish Theatre in NYC. She also acted in commercials, notably for Twinkies and Levi's Jeans. After that, Travis appeared in a stage version of Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs and was a founding member of the Off-Broadway theater company Naked Angels. She appeared in their Frank Pugliese play Aven U-Boys, as well as in King of Connecticut. She made her Broadway debut in I'm Not Rappaport in 1985. She starred in Athol Fugard's My Children, My Africa. In 1985, Travis made her screen debut playing a supporting role in the made-for-television biographical film Malice in Wonderland starring Elizabeth Taylor. The following year she received a star-billing role in the two-part ABC miniseries, Harem opposite Omar Sharif. She later made guest-starring appearances in television series Spenser: For Hire and Tales from the Darkside.
In 1987, Travis made her big screen debut playing Sylvia Bennington in the comedy film Three Men and a Baby starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson. The film was one of the biggest American box office hits of 1987 grossing $240 million worldwide. She reprised her role in its sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady in 1990. In 1988, Travis had supporting roles in two films: crime comedy Married to the Mob, and the sports drama Eight Men Out. She starred opposite Hal Holbrook and Eva Marie Saint in the made-for-television Christmas drama film I'll Be Home for Christmas later in 1988. In 1990, Travis starred in four films: she starred as the female lead and wife of Andy García's character in the crime thriller Internal Affairs, the action comedy and box-office bomb Loose Cannons, starred alongside Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. in the action comedy Air America and Three Men and a Little Lady. In 1992 she starred opposite Bob Hoskins in the comedy film Passed Away and was featured in the biographical film Chaplin opposite Robert Downey Jr., portraying Joan Barry, the woman who filed a paternity suit against Chaplin. The following year, Travis starred alongside Jeff Bridges and Kiefer Sutherland in the psychological thriller The Vanishing, and starred in the romantic comedy-drama So I Married an Axe Murderer as the bride of Mike Myers' character. Travis also starred with Peter Gallagher and Isabella Rossellini in the Tom Cruise-directed episode of the Showtime neo-noir anthology series Fallen Angels in 1993. Travis starred alongside Michael J. Fox in the comedy film Greedy in 1994. The following year she went to star in the box office bomb fantasy drama film Fluke, the action-comedy Destiny Turns on the Radio with Dylan McDermott, and the HBO crime thriller Body Language opposite Tom Berenger. In 1996, Travis appeared in Whoopi Goldberg's comedy film, Bogus.
In 1995, Travis moved to television with the leading role as a female executive producer of a television cop show, in the CBS sitcom Almost Perfect. In 1999, Travis also produced and starred and in the short-lived CBS sitcom Work with Me. Due to low ratings, the show was cancelled after four episodes. The following year she returned to cinema playing supporting role in the drama film Auggie Rose. She also starred in the political comedy-drama film Running Mates with Three Men and a Baby co-star Tom Selleck.
In 2002, Travis had the leading role of psychology professor Dr. Joyce Reardon in the four-hour television adaptation of Stephen King's Rose Red. In 2002, Travis joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Becker as Chris Connor. She starred in the show for its final two seasons, replacing the series' original female lead, Terry Farrell. She appeared in the 2005 comedy-drama film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and the 2007 ensemble romantic drama The Jane Austen Book Club adapted from the 2004 novel of the same name by Karen Joy Fowler. She also appeared in the 2007 made-for-television film The Party Never Stops: Diary of a Binge Drinker. From 2007 to 2009, Travis starred in the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show as Bill's wife Susan. In 2009 she starred in the Hallmark Channel film Safe Harbor, about a happily married couple, Doug (Treat Williams) and Robbie Smith (Travis) about to retire and spend their days cruising the world on their sailboat. In 2010, she starred in the television films The Pregnancy Pact, In My Shoes and was a guest star in two episodes of Desperate Housewives. In 2011, she guest starred in the television series Grey's Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother.
In 2011, Travis was cast in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing opposite Tim Allen. Travis also was cast in the same time in The CW medical drama series Hart of Dixie as Emmeline "Mrs. H" Hattenbarger, but due to her commitments with the 20th Century Fox-produced Last Man Standing left the show after two episodes. Last Man Standing was canceled in 2017, after six seasons and 130 episodes, but was revived by Fox in the fall of 2018. The show debuted on September 28, 2018, and had its highest rating since season two. The series ended in 2021 after 194 episodes.
From 2017 to 2018, Travis played Brendan Gleeson's ex-wife in the crime thriller series Mr. Mercedes. In 2018, Travis was cast as a female lead opposite Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin in the Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method, created by Chuck Lorre. In 2022, she returned to film, starring opposite Hilary Swank in the drama Ordinary Angels directed by Jon Gunn. She next was cast in the Hallmark Channel Neo-Western drama series Ride playing the role of Isabel McMurray, the family matriarch. The series was canceled after one season later that year.
Personal life
Travis appeared in Robert N. Fried's So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993). In 1994, Travis married Fried, the former president and CEO of Savoy Pictures, founder and former CEO of Hallmark Movies Now (formerly known as SpiritClips and Feeln), and now the CEO of Niagen Bioscience. Travis starred in the 2007 short film Sally, featuring one of her sons and written by her husband.
Filmography
Film
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1999 | 2000 | 2005 | 2007 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2021 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Men and a Baby | Sylvia Bennington | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Married to the Mob | Karen Lutnick | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eight Men Out | Lyria Williams | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| I'll Be Home for Christmas | Leah Bundy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| How Much Is Really True? | Short film | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loose Cannons | Riva | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal Affairs | Kathleen "Kathy" Avilla | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Air America | Corinne Landreaux | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Men and a Little Lady | Sylvia Bennington | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passed Away | Cassie Slocombe | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chaplin | Joan Barry | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Vanishing | Rita Baker | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| So I Married an Axe Murderer | Harriet Michaels | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greedy | Robin | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluke | Carol Johnson | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lieberman in Love | Kate | Short film | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Destiny Turns on the Radio | Lucille | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Body Language | Atty. Theresa Janice 'T.J.' Harlow | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bogus | Lorraine Franklin | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| My Last Love | Susan Morton | Also producer | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Beyond Suspicion | Carol | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants | Lydia Rodman | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Jane Austen Book Club | Cat Harris | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally | Sally | Short film | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Squatters | Carol | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dissonance | Bobbi | Short film | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The Submarine Kid | Mrs. Koll | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bernard and Huey | Mona | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Married Young | Rachel | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Night of the Animated Dead | Helen Cooper | Voice | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Angels | Barbara Schmitt | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sovereign | Patty Bouchart | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
Television
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | 1985 | 1986 | 1993 | 1994-1997 | 1995-1997 | 1996 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2002 | 2002-2004 | 2007-2009 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2011–2021 | 2017–2018 | 2018 | 2018–2019 | 2023 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malice in Wonderland | Ann | Television film | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Harem | Jessica Gray | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spenser: For Hire | Maggie Ellis | Episode: "The Hopes and Fears" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fallen Angels | Bette Allison | Episode: "The Frightening Frammis" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duckman | Bernice / Beverly / Beatrice / Grandma-ma | Voice, main role | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Almost Perfect | Kim Cooper | Main role | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Spencer | Voice, episode: "Rage's Burning Wheel" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Superman: The Animated Series | Darci Mason | Voice, episode: "Obsession" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Work with Me | Julie Better | Main role, also producer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Running Mates | Jennifer "Jenny" Pryce | Television film | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Wild Thornberrys | Cat | Voice, episode: "Queen of Denial" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stephen King's Rose Red | Prof. Joyce Reardon | Miniseries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Becker | Christine "Chris" Connor | Main role | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bill Engvall Show | Susan Pearson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Party Never Stops: Diary of a Binge Drinker | April Brenner | Television film | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medium | Laura Swenson | Episode: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numb3rs | Dr. Jane Karellen | Episode: "First Law" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Safe Harbor | Robbie | Television film | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Pregnancy Pact | Lorraine Dougan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Walk In My Shoes | Cindy/Trish | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Desperate Housewives | Dr. Mary Wagner | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grey's Anatomy | Alison | Episode: "Not Responsible" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How I Met Your Mother | Cheryl Whittaker | Episode: "Legendaddy" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hart of Dixie | Emmeline Hattenbarger (Mrs. H) | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Man Standing | Vanessa Baxter | Main role | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Mercedes | Donna Hodges | Recurring role | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Ranch | Karen | Episode: "Telling Me Lies" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Kominsky Method | Lisa | Main role | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ride | Isabelle "Mama" McMurray | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Winifred "Winnie" Humphreys | Episode: "King of the Moon" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shifting Gears | Charlotte | url=https://tvline.com/news/home-improvement-reunion-tim-allen-shifting-gears-season-2-1235489025/ | title=Shifting Gears Sets Home Improvement and Last Man Standing Reunions for Season 2 — Who’s Joining Tim Allen? | work=TVLine.com | accessdate=August 19, 2025}} | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NCIS | Vice Admiral Harriet Parker | url=https://tvline.com/casting-news/ncis-nancy-travis-cast-alden-parker-sister-season-23-1235488269/ | title=NCIS Casts Nancy Travis as [Spoiler]’s Sister in Season 23 (Exclusive) | work=TVLine.com | accessdate=August 22, 2025}} and "Prodigal Son (Part 2)" | |||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
References
References
- (January 13, 2003). "Becker's Nancy Travis Rekindles Her Baby Love with Ted Danson". [[People (magazine).
- Amatangelo, Amy. (July 10, 2007). "Travis gives high praise to Framingham drama coach". [[The Boston Herald]].
- (July 7, 2013). "Nancy Travis- Biography". [[Yahoo! Movies]].
- "Nancy Travis | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos".
- "Nancy Travis".
- "Nancy Travis – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB".
- "Malice in Wonderland".
- "Domestic Box Office For 1987".
- (July 30, 1993). "So I Married an Axe Murderer - Rotten Tomatoes".
- [https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fluke.htm Fluke (1995)], Box Office Mojo
- (February 7, 2020). "My Last Love - Rotten Tomatoes".
- ""Work with Me" (1999)". [[Internet Movie Database]].
- Pursell, Chris. (October 25, 1999). "CBS pink slips 'Work With Me'". [[Variety (magazine).
- (July 24, 2001). "Auggie Rose - Rotten Tomatoes".
- Wilkes, Neil. (Jul 18, 2001). "ABC Fall miniseries: Full details". [[Digital Spy]].
- "Christian Therapeutic Boarding School – Safe Harbor Boys Home". Safe Harbor.
- Ausiello, Michael. (Sep 16, 2010). "'Desperate Housewives' Exclusive: Nancy Travis is B.A.G.'s mom!".
- Wightman, Catriona. (Jan 27, 2011). "Nancy Travis lands 'Grey's Anatomy' role". [[Digital Spy]].
- Jeffery, Morgan. (Feb 2, 2011). "Nancy Travis signs for 'HIMYM' role". [[Digital Spy]].
- Becky Kirsch. "ABC 2011 Pilots Including Good Christian Belles, Charlie's Angels, Once Upon a Time, Pan Am, Last Man Standing, Scandal, Revenge". POPSUGAR Entertainment.
- Jeffery, Morgan. (Mar 30, 2011). "Nancy Travis joins ABC Tim Allen pilot".
- (March 12, 2011). "Coming This Fall to The CW...". TV Fanatic.
- "Fox picked up 'Last Man Standing' after being 'emboldened' by response to 'Roseanne'". Washington Post.
- (Sep 29, 2018). "TV Ratings: 'Last Man Standing' Surges in Fox Debut".
- Andreeva, Nellie. (11 January 2018). "'The Kominsky Method': Nancy Travis To Co-Star In Netflix Comedy Series".
- (April 18, 2022). "Kingdom Story Company's 'Ordinary Angels' Adds Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones & More".
- (August 4, 2022). "Nancy Travis & Tiera Skovbye Join Cast Of Hallmark Channel's 'Ride'; Beau Mirchoff & Tyler Jacob Moore Also Star".
- Rice, Lynette. (November 17, 2023). "'Ride' Canceled By Hallmark After One Season".
- "Nancy Travis". Videoeta.com.
- "President and CEO: Robert N. Fried". InvestorsShub.
- (December 7, 2011). "Nancy Travis on the View". [[YouTube]].
- "''Shifting Gears'' Sets ''Home Improvement'' and ''Last Man Standing Reunions'' for Season 2 — Who’s Joining Tim Allen?". TVLine.com.
- "''NCIS'' Casts Nancy Travis as [Spoiler]’s Sister in Season 23 (Exclusive)". TVLine.com.
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