Cris Alexander

Cris Alexander
Born Alan Smith
(1920-01-14)January 14, 1920
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died March 7, 2012(2012-03-07) (aged 92)
Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, singer, dancer, designer, photographer
Years active 1958–1969

Cris Alexander (born Alan Smith; January 14, 1920 – March 7, 2012) was an American actor, singer, dancer, designer, and photographer.

Acting career

Alexander studied at the Feagin School of Dramatic Art in New York City.[1] He co-starred as Chip in the original Broadway cast of On the Town. Subsequent Broadway appearances included Present Laughter opposite Clifton Webb, Wonderful Town, and Auntie Mame. Mr. Alexander also appeared in the film version of Auntie Mame as the department store supervisor of actress Rosalind Russell.

Photography career

Prior to retiring, Alexander was a successful photographer, noted for his celebrity portraits. For many years he was the official photographer for the New York City Ballet.

Alexander contributed hundreds of original and altered photographs to two of Patrick Dennis's best selling books. Little Me, a mock biography documenting the life of the world's worst actress Belle Poitrine, features more than 150 of Alexander's photographs. Alexander also wrote the novel's preface. Dennis' First Lady: My Thirty Days at the White House told of Martha Dinwiddie Butterfield (Peggy Cass), wife of a robber baron who literally stole the presidency at the turn of the century. Using friends and professional models and actors, Alexander's zany photographs were essential to the novels' success.

For several years he served as Chief Photographer at Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. He was a longtime resident of Saratoga Springs, New York, and was also the life-partner of former New York City Ballet dancer Shaun O'Brien.[2] In the 1940s, Alexander was romantically involved with the dancer and choreographer John Butler.

Film roles

References

  1. ↑ "Cris Alexander". The Official Masterworks Broadway site. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  2. ↑ Shaun O’Brien, Dancer Known for Character Roles, Dies at 86


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