Tracey Renee Needham (born March 28, 1967) is a celebrated American actress known for her iconic television roles that showcased strong, independent women. From her breakout performance as Paige Thatcher on “Life Goes On” (1990–1993) to memorable roles in JAG and The Division, Tracey has left a lasting impact on TV audiences.
Growing up in Dallas and Denver, Texas and Colorado, she drew on her childhood experiences playing football with her brothers to bring authenticity to her characters. With a career spanning from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Tracey Needham remains recognized for her ability to portray empowered female roles in male-dominated narratives.
Key Fact
| Key Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tracey Renee Needham |
| Birth Date | March 28, 1967 |
| Birth Place | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Age | 58 years (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) |
| Weight | 64 kilograms |
| Body Measurements | 35-26-37 inches |
Early Life of Tracey Needham
Tracey Renee Needham was born on March 28, 1967, in Dallas, Texas, as the only daughter among three brothers. Her father was a homebuilder, and the family frequently moved between Dallas and Denver, Colorado, giving Tracey a diverse and active childhood that helped shape her resilient and adventurous personality.
From a young age, Tracey displayed a natural talent for athletics and performance, often playing football with her brothers, experiences that inspired her to portray strong, independent female characters on screen. She graduated from Plano Senior High School in 1985 and moved to Los Angeles in 1988 to study acting and pursue a professional career in television.
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Full name/Real name:
Tracey Renee Needham
Birth date/Birth place:
Born on March 28, 1967, in Dallas, Texas, USA
Family background:
She is the only girl among four children and has three brothers. Her father was a homebuilder, and the family moved between Dallas, Texas, and Denver, Colorado due to his work. She grew up being competitive and often played football with boys.
School/University:
She attended Cherry Creek High School and Plano Senior High School, graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1985. After high school, she traveled through Europe and Australia before moving to Los Angeles in 1988 to study acting and pursue an acting career.
Career Journey of Tracey Needham
Tracey Needham’s career journey is a testament to talent, perseverance, and versatility in the world of television acting. She began her career with TV guest appearances, including her debut on “Jake and the Fatman”, before landing her breakthrough role as Paige Thatcher on “Life Goes On” (1990–1993). This role established her as a prominent TV actress and showcased her ability to portray strong, relatable female characters.
During her peak years, Tracey became widely recognized for her performances as Lieutenant Junior Grade Meg Austin on the first season of “JAG” (1995–1996) and Inspector Candace DeLorenzo on “The Division” (2001–2003). Her notable credits also include Veronica Mars, VR.5, and guest appearances on CSI, Criminal Minds, and Without a Trace, demonstrating her versatility across genres. Tracey’s commitment to authentic and empowered female roles helped her leave a lasting mark on 1990s and early 2000s television.
Physical Appearance of Tracey Needham
Age:
58 years old (born March 28, 1967)
Height:
5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters)
Weight:
64 kilograms
Body measurement:
35-26-37 inches
Physical attributes:
Tall stature with a height of 5’11”. Known for her athleticism and competitiveness growing up, often playing football with boys. She has a commanding presence often portraying strong female characters on screen.
Major Achievements of Tracey Needham
Tracey Needham is celebrated for her portrayal of strong, independent female characters on television, earning recognition as one of the standout actresses of the 1990s and early 2000s. Her breakout role as Paige Thatcher on “Life Goes On” not only launched her career but also highlighted her ability to bring emotional depth and authenticity to her characters.
Throughout her career, she secured memorable roles such as Lieutenant Junior Grade Meg Austin on “JAG” and Inspector Candace DeLorenzo on “The Division”, earning praise for her versatility across genres. Beyond acting, Tracey’s influence extends to her children’s acting school in Colorado, where she continues to inspire young performers, leaving a lasting impact on both television and the next generation of actors.
Personal Life of Tracey Needham
Family:
Tracey Needham is married to actor Tommy Hinkley since January 1995. They have one daughter named Katie (born in 1999). The couple later relocated to Colorado where they opened a children’s acting school together. She has three brothers and grew up in a family that moved between Dallas, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, due to her father’s homebuilding work.
Nationality:
American
Religion:
Christianity
Ethnicity:
Caucasian (American)
Marital status/Relationship:
Married to Tommy Hinkley.
Net worth:
$4 million
Social media presence:
There is no widely known official social media presence for Tracey Needham as of now.
| Social Media Platform | Account/Handle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| @tracyneedham | 499 followers, 944 following, 602 posts | |
| Tracey Needham (multiple pages, not verified) | Includes a page with 79 likes and 293 followers; multiple user profiles with the same name noted | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | @traceyn | Personal style content, joined February 2009 |
| @tracysueneedham | Poet and writer-related content |
Tracey Needham Movies and TV Shows of Tracey Needham
Television Roles
- Life Goes On (1990–1993) – Paige Thatcher (Breakout role)
- JAG (1995–1996) – Lieutenant Junior Grade Meg Austin
- The Division (2001–2003) – Inspector Candace DeLorenzo
- Veronica Mars – Guest appearance
- VR.5 – Series role
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Guest appearance
- Criminal Minds – Guest appearance
- Without a Trace – Guest appearance
- Jake and the Fatman – Early TV debut
Film Roles
Tracey Needham’s career is primarily focused on television, and she has limited feature film credits. Her focus has been on delivering strong female characters in TV series throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Interesting Facts About Tracey Needham
- Breakout TV Star: Tracey gained fame for her role as Paige Thatcher on “Life Goes On” (1990–1993).
- Athletic Childhood: She often played football with her brothers, inspiring her portrayal of strong female characters.
- Tall Stature: Tracey stands 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), which contributed to her commanding on-screen presence.
- Marriage & Family: She married actor Tommy Hinkley in 1995 and has a daughter, Katie, born in 1999.
- Acting School Founder: Tracey and her husband later moved to Colorado to open a children’s acting school, mentoring young talent.
Conclusion of Tracey Needham
Tracey Renee Needham has built a remarkable career as an American television actress, earning recognition for portraying strong, independent female characters. From her breakout role as Paige Thatcher on “Life Goes On” to memorable performances in JAG and The Division, she left a lasting mark on 1990s and early 2000s television.
Beyond her on-screen achievements, Tracey’s commitment to mentoring young actors through her children’s acting school in Colorado highlights her dedication to the next generation of performers. Her legacy continues to inspire audiences and aspiring actors alike, solidifying her place as a versatile and influential figure in television history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tracey Needham
1. Who is Tracey Needham?
Tracey Renee Needham is an American actress known for her iconic television roles, including Paige Thatcher on “Life Goes On”.
2. What is Tracey Needham famous for?
She is best recognized for portraying strong, independent female characters on TV series like JAG and The Division.
3. When and where was Tracey Needham born?
Tracey was born on March 28, 1967, in Dallas, Texas, USA.
4. Is Tracey Needham married?
Yes, she married actor Tommy Hinkley in 1995, and they have a daughter named Katie, born in 1999.
5. What is Tracey Needham’s legacy?
Her legacy includes memorable TV performances and founding a children’s acting school in Colorado, inspiring future actors.
