Born in New York City, NY on Sept. 4, 1957, Alexander got her first break in the late seventies as a dancer in Bob Fosse's national touring company of "Dancin'." From there, Alexander won a spot as a chorus dancer in the original 1981 Tony Award-winning Broadway production of "Dreamgirls." After graduating from the prestigious Alvin Ailey Conservatory, Alexander continued to work as a dancer and choreographer for such high-profile events as the American Music Awards and Grammy Awards shows. As luck would have it, a chance backstage encounter at one of these events with Whitney Houston, resulted in a four year-long working relationship with the multi-platinum diva. This association eventually culminated in Alexander being hired as choreographer for Houston’s wildly successful 1987 “I’m Your Baby Tonight” international tour.
But it was acting wherein Alexander’s true passions lied. Alexander kicked off her screen career in the mid-1980’s with a string of bit parts in such films as “A Chorus Line: The Movie” (1985) and “Streetwalkin’” (1985) starring Julie Newmar. In the late eighties, Alexander also had a small recurring role as Theressa Stone on the popular sitcom, “A Different World” (NBC, 1987-1993). In 1990, Alexander’s career momentum was briefly interrupted when she checked herself into a drug rehab program – a decision she would go on to credit for saving her life. Re-emerging sober in 1993, Alexander picked up right where she left off, landing several roles in rapid succession in such films as “CB4” (1993), “Joshua Tree” (1993), “Menace II Society” (1993) and “House Party 3” (1994).
Alexander’s biggest break to date came a year later, however, when she landed her first series regular role – that of the sexy, sophisticated radio personality Catherine Duke on the long-running sitcom, “NewsRadio.” Underwritten and poorly utilized, Alexander’s character served as little more than a prop for four seasons, playing straight woman to the late Phil Hartman’s boorish announcer, Bill McNeal. Unsure of what more to do with her character, Alexander was written out of the show at the conclusion of the sitcom’s 1997-98 season – shortly after Hartman was murdered in a domestic homicide.
Luckily, Alexander’s firing proved a blessing in disguise. Far better suited to dramatic material anyway, Alexander was cast in a recurring role as Eriq LaSalle’s manipulative sister on the runaway hit drama, “E.R.” (NBC, 1994- ). Alexander’s seven year stint as Jackie Benton-Robbins won kudos from fans and earned her the best critical reviews of her career up to that point. But it was Alexander’s next role as a scheming, yet sympathetic junkie in the critically acclaimed cable miniseries “The Corner” that truly solidified her stature as a serious actress. Immersing herself in the role of the despicably selfish, but redemption hungry Fran Boyd, Alexander easily gave the strongest performance of her career – a perfect mix of gritty pathos and unsentimental tragedy. Regarded as one of the year’s finest television offerings, “The Corner” received several Emmy nominations including one for Best Miniseries.
Alexander’s career continued to flourish into the new millennium. In 2002, the respected actress joined the extended family of the wildly popular “CSI” franchise as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Alexx Woods. Originally introduced alongside David Caruso in the second season “CSI” (CBS, 2000- ) episode “Cross-Jurisdictions,” Alexander’s character followed Caruso’s character, Lt. Horatio Caine, later that year to their own spin-off series, “CSI: Miami.”