This tall (5'11"), blonde, blue-eyed former Ford model gave up the runways of international high fashion to pursue an acting career on the small screen. Shortly after she moved to L.A. to study acting in 1988, Needham landed a guest spot on the crime drama "Jake and the Fat Man". She found regular TV work joining the cast of the family drama "Life Goes On" (ABC, 1990-93) during its second season. Needham succeeded Monique Lanier in the role of Paige Thatcher, the older half-sister of Kellie Martin's character, a troubled college drop-out looking for direction. She subsequently appeared in several TV-movies on broadcast and cable including a starring role in "Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story" (Fox, 1992) and a substantial role in "Lush Life" (Showtime, 1994) starring Jeff Goldblum and Forest Whitaker.Needham was well cast for the recurring role of computer whiz Lori Singer's twin sister on the short-lived sci-fi conspiracy series "VR.5" (Fox, 1995). She graduated to co-star status on the legal military series "JAG" (NBC, 1995-96) as a Navy lawyer/investigator teamed with the hunky David James Elliott. Perky, bright and sexy, Needham's LT. Meg Austin well conveyed the pressures involved with being a woman working in a male-dominated environment.
Profession(s):
Actor, model
Sometimes Credited As:
Tracey Renee Needham
2001 Portrayed a San Francisco policewoman in the Lifetime series "The Division"
1997 Co-starred in the ABC drama "Total Security"
1995 Played the twin sister of Lori Singer on the final two episodes of the short-lived sci-fi drama "VR.5"
1992 TV-movie debut, portrayed bank robber Bonnie Parker for "Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story" on Fox
1989 - 1990 Played a recurring role on "Coach"
1988 Moved to L.A. to study acting and audition for roles
1988 TV acting debut, a guest shot on "Jake and the Fat Man"
Moved with family from Texas to Denver, Colorado at age eight
Deemed too tall to appear on stage in high school, worked on the technical crew for dramatic productions
Recruited by a representative from the Eileen Ford Agency three days after graduating from high school
Moved to NYC to work as a model
Traveled extensively during modeling career, working in England, Germany, Australia, France and Spain
Joined the cast of the ABC drama series "Life Goes On"; succeeded Monique Lanier in the role of Paige Thatcher
Co-starred as Lt. Meg Austin on the NBC military legal series "JAG"
