Ashley Rogers, professionally known as Ashleigh Aston Moore, was an American former child actress who gained recognition for portraying Chrissy DeWitt in the coming-of-age film Now and Then. She was also known for playing Donna Archipenko in the Canadian adventure-fantasy television series The Odyssey. Moore developed an interest in acting at an early age, and her mother supported her ambition to pursue a career in entertainment. She began performing at just four years old, initially appearing in television commercials before progressing to television series and films. Moore achieved considerable success as a young actress, but her career in the entertainment industry lasted only about five years. She eventually stepped away from acting and relocated to Canada to be with her family. Sadly, the former child star passed away in 2007 at the age of 26. Her death was attributed to pneumonia and bronchitis.
Career of Ashleigh Aston Moore
Ashleigh Aston Moore began her entertainment career during early childhood, working as a child model in numerous television commercials. She landed her first commercial at the age of four and secured her first television acting role by the time she was eleven. One of her early significant opportunities came when she was cast in the children’s adventure-fantasy series The Odyssey, where she portrayed the characters Alpha and Donna. She appeared in the series from 1992 to 1994, featuring in a total of 37 episodes.
During this period, Moore also appeared in three television films: Liar, Liar, Family of Strangers, and Sin & Redemption. In these productions, she was credited under the name Ashley Rogers.
In the 1993 television film Liar, Liar, Moore played Jean “Nini” Farrow, delivering a performance that attracted viewers’ attention. That same year, she portrayed Megan in Family of Strangers, earning a Gemini Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. Over the following two years, she made guest appearances in the television series Madison and Northern Exposure.
Moore achieved one of her most recognizable roles in 1995 when she joined the cast of the coming-of-age film Now and Then. She appeared alongside well-known actresses Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Melanie Griffith, Rosie O’Donnell, Gaby Hoffmann, and Demi Moore, playing the character Chrissy DeWitt. Although the film received mixed reactions from critics, it found an appreciative audience and became a memorable production for many viewers.
Later in 1995, Moore reunited with Christina Ricci in the adventure-drama film Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain, in which she portrayed Tracy Briggs. The following year, she appeared in the thriller The Grave and guest-starred as Heather Rehne in the television series Strange Luck.
Moore’s final television appearance came in 1997, when she played Abby in an episode of the drama series Touched by an Angel. She subsequently withdrew from acting, bringing her relatively brief career in the entertainment industry to a close.
Family & Personal Life
Ashleigh Aston Moore was born on September 30, 1981, in Sunnyvale, California, United States, to Cynthia Moore and James Moore. Her mother, a certified nursing assistant, raised her as a single parent, as her father was largely absent from her life. Cynthia encouraged her daughter’s interest in acting and supported her efforts to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
After leaving acting, Moore moved to Canada, where members of her extended family lived. She spent the remaining years of her life away from the public spotlight. On December 11, 2007, Moore died at the age of 26 from complications associated with pneumonia and bronchitis.