Alexander's Diverse Career in Stage, Film, and Television
From the bright lights of Broadway to critically acclaimed HBO dramas, Alexander has built a multifaceted career spanning several decades. Beginning as a performer and choreographer, she transitioned into a versatile actress known for her ability to handle both comedic timing and intense dramatic roles.
Early Beginnings in Dance and Stage
Alexander's professional journey began in the performing arts. In 1980 and 1981, she took to the stage as Susie in Period of Adjustment. Her talent for movement led her to a role as a dancer in Natalie Cole's 1988 music video for "Pink Cadillac."
A pivotal moment in her early career occurred in 1989 when she met pop icon Whitney Houston backstage at the American Music Awards. This meeting led to a professional partnership where Alexander served as Houston's choreographer, working closely with the singer on her world tour until 1992.
Beyond music videos and tours, Alexander established a strong presence on Broadway, starring in renowned productions such as Chicago, Bob Fosse's Dancin', and Dreamgirls.
Transition to Film and Television
Alexander made her first foray into film as a dancer in the 1985 movie A Chorus Line, and her television debut followed that same year on the sketch-comedy show FTV. By the early 1990s, she shifted her primary focus toward screen acting, securing supporting roles in films including CB4, Joshua Tree, What's Love Got to Do with It, Poetic Justice, and Sugar Hill.
Her television profile grew significantly in 1995 when she joined the cast of the NBC comedy NewsRadio as Catherine Duke. She remained with the series until season 4, episode 7, returning for a final appearance in the season 5 premiere, "Bill Moves On," to memorialize cast member Phil Hartman.
Alexander also became a familiar face in medical dramas, playing the recurring character Jackie Robbins in ER and later portraying the medical examiner Alexx Woods on the CBS police drama CSI: Miami from 2002 to 2008. Although she left the series shortly before the end of the 2007–2008 season, she returned for guest appearances in 2009 in the episodes "Smoke Gets in Your CSI's," "Out of Time," and "Bad Seed."
Critical Acclaim and Award-Winning Roles
The turn of the millennium marked a period of significant critical recognition. In 2000, Alexander earned praise for her portrayal of Fran Boyd, a mother struggling with drug addiction, in the Emmy Award-winning HBO miniseries The Corner. She continued her cinematic work in Emmett's Mark and Dark Blue, and starred alongside Rob Lowe in the Lifetime movie Perfect Strangers.
In 2010, Alexander took on a lead role in the HBO drama Treme, created by David Simon. Playing a bar owner in a New Orleans neighborhood affected by Hurricane Katrina, her performance earned widespread critical acclaim throughout the series' four-season run, which concluded in 2013.
Her later work includes a role in Shonda Rhimes' drama Scandal as Maya Lewis, the mother of Olivia Pope. This performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2015. Additionally, in 2014, she appeared in the HBO film Bessie as the older sister of the title character, Bessie Smith, earning a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries.
Key Facts
- Broadway Credits: Starred in Chicago, Dancin', and Dreamgirls.
- Choreography: Served as Whitney Houston's choreographer for her world tour (1989–1992).
- Major TV Roles: Catherine Duke in NewsRadio and Alexx Woods in CSI: Miami.
- Critical Success: Received critical acclaim for The Corner and Treme.
- Award Nominations: Nominated for a Primetime Emmy (2015) for Scandal and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Bessie.
| Period/Year | Project | Role/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–1992 | Whitney Houston World Tour | Choreographer |
| 1995–1998 | NewsRadio | Catherine Duke |
| 2000 | The Corner | Fran Boyd |
| 2002–2008 | CSI: Miami | Alexx Woods |
| 2010–2013 | Treme | Bar Owner |
| 2015 | Scandal | Maya Lewis |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which famous singer did Alexander choreograph for?
Alexander served as the choreographer for pop singer Whitney Houston, working with her on her world tour from 1989 until 1992.
What was Alexander's role in CSI: Miami?
She portrayed Alexx Woods, a medical examiner, from 2002 to 2008, with additional guest appearances in 2009.
For which role was she nominated for a Primetime Emmy?
She was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2015 for her role as Maya Lewis in the series Scandal.
What was the plot of the series Treme?
Treme was an HBO drama that focused on a neighborhood in New Orleans affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; Alexander played a lead character who owned a bar in the area.
In which Broadway shows did Alexander appear?
Alexander starred in Chicago, Bob Fosse's Dancin', and Dreamgirls.