Alexandra Powers

Alexandra Powers
Born Alexandra Kristin Powers
September 9, 1967 (1967-09-09) (age 44)
New York, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1983-2001

Alexandra Kristin Powers (born September 9, 1967) is an American former actress.[1]

Contents

Early life

Powers was born in New York City. She grew up in an artsy, liberal environment on both coasts with her divorced parents. Her father teaches acting.[2] She said in an interview that her parents, "encouraged me to find my own truth". Commenting on her faith, she stated, "I pray whenever I feel sad. And I believe that whatever is right, will work out." In that same interview, she said that her father was Roman Catholic, and her mother Katharyn Powers was interested in metaphysics.[3] Powers' mother wrote for television programs including Fantasy Island and Charlie's Angels. At the age of six, Powers announced her intentions to become an actress.[4]

Career

Powers appeared in various television and films roles including 21 Jump Street,[5] and Dead Poets Society.[6] In the film Rising Sun, Powers portrayed a prostitute who attempted to seduce the character played by actor Wesley Snipes.[7] She also had a recurring role on the NBC legal drama L.A. Law.[8] She portrayed "Dusty Brown" in the NBC miniseries A Matter of Justice.[9] On being successfully cast in the NBC program Tonya and Nancy, Powers commented, "In a lot of ways, it's the role of the year".[10] For the program, she received ice-skating lessons from Dody Teachman, former coach to Tonya Harding.[10] In a review for The Orlando Sentinel, Powers received a positive reception, "It should be said that Powers, the Christian lawyer on L.A. Law, is a dead ringer for Tonya (except Powers' thighs are thinner) and that she delivers a convincing performance."[11]

Personal life

Powers does not adhere to any religion: "I've sort of looked and searched. I was a Buddhist for about six months." She was married to actor Barry Sherman as of December 1993. Powers lamented, "I have to take my ring off when I go to work. And that makes me sad, because I put the ring on and I don't want to ever have to take it off."[12]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1983 The Prodigal Nancy Pringle
1985 Mask Lisa
1988 Plain Clothes Dawn-Marie Zeffer
1989 Sonny Boy Rose
Dead Poets Society Chris Noel
1992 The Player Herself
1993 Rising Sun Julia
A matter of justice Dusty
The Seventh Coin Ronnie Segal Alternative titles: Worlds Apart
1996 Race Sylvie
Last Man Standing Lucy Kolinski
1997 Out to Sea Shelly
1998 One Hell of a Guy Cassie Springer Direct-to-video release
1999 Storm Major Tanya Goodman Direct-to-video release
2001 Zigs Sara Alternative title: Double Down

Television

Year Program Role Notes
1983 Jennifer Slept Here Cassidy 1 episode
T. J. Hooker Sally 1 episode
1984 Silence of the Heart Andrea Television movie
1986 Highway to Heaven Arlene 1 episode
Family Ties Erin 1 episode
1987 CBS Schoolbreak Special Laura Sanders 1 episode
1988 CBS Summer Playhouse Beth 1 episode
Unholy Matrimony Patricia "Trish" Jaworsky Television movie
1989 The Hogan Family Princess Julia 3 episodes
1990 Dangerous Pursuit Television movie
21 Jump Street Officer Kati Rocky 2 episodes
1991 Cast a Deadly Spell Olivia Hackshaw Television movie
1993 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Gloria 1 episode
A Matter of Justice Dusty Television movie
1993–1994 L.A. Law Jane Halliday 21 episodes
1994 Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story Tonya Harding Television movie
Following Her Heart Nola Television movie
1997 C-16: FBI Dana Morrison 1 episode
1998 Nobody Lives Forever Detective Mary Ellen "Dusty" Dustin Television movie
Maximum Bob Angelyne Linklater 1 episode
Fantasy Island 1 episode
1999 Brimstone "Sally" Ann McGee 1 episode

References

  1. ^ Loynd, Ray (April 29, 1994). "Tonya and Nancy". Variety. 
  2. ^ She's No Saint. ew.com. Accessed 2008-12-08.
  3. ^ Davis, James D. (October 27, 1993). "Higher law - Alexandra Powers' devout, virginal character on 'L.A. Law' in many ways reflects her own views". Sun-Sentinel (Sun-Sentinel Company): p. 1. 
  4. ^ Scheck, Frank (March 10, 1994). "`L.A. Law' Actress Relishes Her Role as Christian Lawyer - Alexandra Powers talks about staying clear of religious stereotypes". The Christian Science Monitor: p. 11. 
  5. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television. Penguin Books. p. 870. ISBN 0-14-024916-8. 
  6. ^ Molinari, Matteo; Jim Kamm (2002). Oops! They Did It Again!: More Movie Mistakes That Made the Cut. Citadel. p. 62. ISBN 0-8065-2320-4. 
  7. ^ Johnson, Peter (August 19, 1993). "`L.A. Law' gets lawyer who keeps the faith". USA Today (Gannett Co., Inc.): p. 3D. 
  8. ^ "Alexandra Powers Biography (1967-)". FilmReference.com (www.filmreference.com). http://www.filmreference.com/film/56/Alexandra-Powers.html. Retrieved 2008-12-08. 
  9. ^ Bark, Ed (Dallas Morning News) (November 7, 1993). "Alexandra Powers' virgin role gives a new look to 'L.A. Law' - playing 'A Matter of Justice' temptress helped her". The Buffalo News: p. TV3. 
  10. ^ a b Philadelphia Inquirer (April 15, 1994). "Alexandra Powers of 'L.A. Law laces up an attitude for Tonya role". The Orlando Sentinel (Sentinel Communications Co.): p. A2. 
  11. ^ Dawson, Greg (April 30, 1994). "'Tonya and Nancy'". The Orlando Sentinel (Sentinel Communications Co.): p. 3; Style. 
  12. ^ Gordinier, Jeff (December 3, 1993). "She's No Saint". www.ew.com. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308844,00.html. Retrieved 2008-12-08. 

External links