Travis was born in
Dallas,
Texas. Her brother is actor and comedian
Greg Travis. She attended the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and graduated from
University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in film. She began her career appearing in low-budget comedies and genre films include,
Phantasm II,
Dr. Hackenstein and
Earth Girls Are Easy (1988). She next starred in the comedy film
The Super (1991) and martial arts film
Only the Strong (1993) opposite
Mark Dacascos. The following years, Travis played supporting roles in many films, include
Mystery Men (1999),
Traffic (2000),
Ghost World (2001),
Bandits (2001),
Intolerable Cruelty (2003),
Venom (2005), and
Easy A (2010). In later years she starred in a direct-to-video sequel to the 1983 film
A Christmas Story,
A Christmas Story 2 (2012), and the supernatural horror film
The Manor (2021). On television, Travis has made more than 50 appearances. She appeared in a season 7 episode of
Seinfeld as Holly,
Elaine's cousin and
Jerry's current love interest. She had a recurring role in
Highlander: The Series as Renee Delaney in the season 2 episodes "Unholy Alliance" Part 1 and Part 2, returning in season 4 in the episode "Double Jeopardy". In 1998, she starred on the short-lived UPN comedy series,
Love Boat: The Next Wave as
Cruise Director Suzanne Zimmerman. She had a recurring role as Jordana Geist,
Lynette’s friend in the
Desperate Housewives. Her other guest-starring credits include
Picket Fences,
Dream On,
ER,
Diagnosis Murder,
Touched by an Angel,
Dharma & Greg,
The Practice,
Frasier,
Angel,
The Big Bang Theory,
Modern Family,
Mom and
S.W.A.T.. ==Filmography==