Amy Carlson
Biography
Amy Carlson (born July 7, 1968, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois) is an American actress. She began her career with the role of Josie Watts on the NBC daytime series Another World and later portrayed Alex Taylor on the NBC drama Third Watch. Carlson also appeared as Kelly Gaffney in the short‑lived NBC courtroom series Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Since the 2010s she has been a regular on the CBS police procedural Blue Bloods, playing Detective Linda Reagan. When she was 13, her family lived in Amman, Jordan for a year while her parents taught at the American Community School, after which she attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. Her professional name is also listed as Amy Lynn Carlson.
Career overview
Amy Carlson was born on July 7, 1968, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After spending a year in Amman, Jordan, with her family at age thirteen, she returned to the United States and attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. She began her professional acting career in television, gaining early recognition for her portrayal of Josie Watts on the NBC daytime series Another World. Carlson later secured a recurring role as Alex Taylor on the NBC drama Third Watch, a part that contributed to her growing profile in network television.
In the mid‑2000s she appeared as Kelly Gaffney on the short‑lived NBC courtroom series Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Since joining the cast of the CBS police procedural Blue Bloods, Carlson has been a regular as Linda Reagan, a character she continues to portray. Throughout her career she has been credited in a range of television productions, accumulating more than thirty‑six known acting credits. Her work spans daytime soap operas, primetime dramas, and procedural series, establishing her as a versatile presence on American television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
38 titles- Daredevil: Born Again (2025) as Gloria Blake
- Smoke (2025) as Captain Pearson
- Peas and Carrots (2025) as Laurie Wethersby
- Would I Lie to You? (2022) as Self
- Know Fear (2022) as Wendy
- FBI: Most Wanted (2020) as Jackie Ward
- Sunny Daze (2019) as Samantha
- The Incoherents (2019) as Jerry
- A Bread Factory, Part One: For the Sake of Gold (2018) as Grace
- Landline (2017) as Carla
- Natural Selection (2016) as Laura
- A Midsummer's Hawaiian Dream (2016) as Helen
- Hits (2014) as Christina Casserta
- Green Lantern (2011) as Jessica Jordan
- Too Big to Fail (2011) as Erin Callan
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Linda Reagan
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Linda Reaga
- Fringe (2008) as Maureen Donovan
- The Kidnapping (2008) as Rachel McKenzie
- Anamorph (2007) as Alexandra Fredericks
- Criminal Minds (2005) as Cece Hillenbrand
- Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) as Kelly Gaffney
- NCIS (2003) as Karen Sutherland
- Peacemakers (2003) as Katie Owen
- Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (2002) as Park Dancer
- Everything Put Together (2001) as Jane
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Kate Armstrong
- If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) as Michelle
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Patricia Andrews
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Katie McGrath
- Third Watch (1999) as Alex Taylor
- Get Real (1999) as Dr. Sedgwick
- Martial Law (1998) as Cassie McGill
- Thanks of a Grateful Nation (1998) as Tammy Boyer
- ER (1994) as Alex Taylor
- Law & Order (1990) as Collette Connolly
- Another World (1964)
- Drift
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Amy Carlson best known for?
Amy Carlson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Daredevil: Born Again (2025), Smoke (2025), FBI: Most Wanted (2020), Green Lantern (2011).
When and where was Amy Carlson born?
Amy Carlson was born on July 7, 1968 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Amy Carlson have?
Amy Carlson has accumulated over 38 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1964 to 2025.
What is Amy Carlson's background in cinema and television?
Amy Carlson (born July 7, 1968, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois) is an American actress. She began her career with the role of Josie Watts on the NBC daytime series Another World and later portrayed Alex Taylor on the NBC drama Third Watch. Carlson also appeared as Kelly Gaffney in the short‑lived NBC courtroom series Law & Or...