Khandi Alexander Biography

Although I've been an avid viewer of the hit CBS television spin-off, CSI Miami, and thoroughly enjoy each character on the hit show, I had absolutely no idea that one of its stars, Khandi Alexander, actually made a huge name for herself in another venue in addition to carving out quite an acting career for herself as well.

That's right, way before Alexander ever made her first appearance as coroner Alexx Woods on CSI Miami, she appeared on Broadway and choreographed international recording star, Whitney Houston's international tours from 1989 to 1992.
Alexander, who was born on September 4, 1957 is also a former dancer in addition to her success as a choreographer and film and television star.

Born in New York City and educated at Queensborough Community College, Alexander has concentrated on her film and television career since leaving the choreographing industry.

She was first introduced to television viewers on a weekly basis with her portrayal of Catherine Duke, the sexy and self-assured broadcast personality on NBC's "NewsRadio."

Her seven-year recurring role as Jackie, the sister to actor, Eriq La Salle's Dr. Peter Benton, on the hit television show, "ER" helped to solidify her stature as an in-demand actor.

However, it was her highly acclaimed portrayal of Fran Boyd, the manipulative, loving and sympathetic junkie on HBO's "The Corner" which garnered Alexander a "Best Mini- Series" Emmy nod and brought unparalleled kudos from those both, inside and outside of the film and television industry, alike.

Alexander has been described as a no-nonsense and habitually focused performer, who has developed quite a reputation for consistently delivering knockout performances.

Alexander got her start in the first national touring company of Bob Fosse's "Dancin'" and later continued to see her star rise on Broadway in "Dreamgirls" directed Michael Bennett.

Her hard work and natural ability led to a prestigious full scholarship at the Alvin Ailey Conservatory. Next, the successful performer choreographed for and danced in high profile events including the American Music and Grammy Award shows. A chance backstage meeting with Whitney Houston resulted in a four-year association with the multi-platinum artist and her work with Houston culminated with Alexander's choreography of Whitney's highly successful "I'm Your Baby Tonight" sold-out world tour.

It was the dream of an acting career though that originally enticed Alexander to enroll in the Stella Adler Conservatory.
Alexander's film credits include " There's Something About Mary", "No Easy Way", "Sugar Hill", the Chris Rock rap music spoof "CB4" and the Tina Turner Bio-pic, "What's Love Got To Do With It."

Theatrically, Alexander has also performed in "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun", "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie", " Legacy", "Period of Adjustment", and "Color of Blue", in addition to the previously mentioned, Bob Fosse's "Dancin.'"
Alexander continues to explore the limits of her talent as a performer and actor and I must add that I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her popularity continue to rise well into the next decade.
Here is a listing of Alexander's career television and filmography.

1. First Born (2006) (post-production) .... Dierdre
2. Rain (2006) (completed) .... Latitia Arnold
3. "CSI: Miami"
- Curse of the Coffin (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Alexx Woods
- Eminent Domain (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Alexx Woods
- If Looks Could Kill (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Alexx Woods
- Death Pool 100 (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Alexx Woods
- Going Under (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Alexx Woods
(100 more)
4. Perfect Strangers (2004) (TV) .... Christie Kaplan
5. "CSI: NY"
- MIA/NYC - NonStop (Pilot) (2004) TV Episode .... Chief Medical Examiner Alexx Woods
6. CSI: Miami (2004) (VG) (voice) .... Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Alexx Woods
7. "Life's a Bitch" (2003) TV Series .... Yolanda
8. Dark Blue (2002) .... Janelle Holland
9. Emmett's Mark (2002) .... Det. Middlestat
... aka Killing Emmett Young (USA: video title)
10. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
... aka C.S.I. (USA: short title)
... aka CSI: Las Vegas (USA: syndication title)
... aka CSI: Weekends (USA: promotional title)
... aka Experts, Les (Canada: French title)
- Cross-Jurisdictions (2002) TV Episode .... Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Alexx Woods
11. Fool Proof (2002) .... Icarus
12. "ER"
- I'll Be Home for Christmas (2001) TV Episode .... Jackie Robbins
- Quo Vadis? (2001) TV Episode .... Jackie Robbins
- If I Should Fall from Grace (2001) TV Episode .... Jackie Robbins
- Supplies and Demands (2001) TV Episode .... Jackie Robbins
- Start All Over Again (2001) TV Episode .... Jackie Robbins
(25 more)
13. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
... aka Law & Order: SVU (USA: promotional abbreviation)
... aka Special Victims Unit (New Zealand: English title)
- Paranoia (2001) TV Episode .... Sgt. Karen Smythe
14. "Third Watch"
- History (2000) TV Episode .... Beverly Saunders
15. "The Corner" (2000) (mini) TV Series .... Denise Francine 'Fran' Boyd
16. "Rude Awakening"
- Star 80 Proof (2000) TV Episode .... Juanita Wilson
17. Spawn 3: Ultimate Battle (1999) (V) .... Lakesha/Nurse
18. Partners (1999) (TV) .... Charlie
19. "NYPD Blue"
- What's Up, Chuck? (1999) TV Episode .... Sonya
20. "Cosby"
- The Awful Truth (1999) TV Episode .... Karen
21. "X-Chromosome" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Yolanda
22. "NewsRadio"
... aka The Station
- Bill Moves On (1998) TV Episode .... Catherine Duke
- Pure Evil (1997) TV Episode .... Catherine Duke
- Planbee (1997) TV Episode .... Catherine Duke
- Jumper (1997) TV Episode .... Catherine Duke
- Sleeping (1997) TV Episode .... Catherine Duke
(48 more)
23. There's Something About Mary (1998) .... Joanie
... aka There's Something More About Mary (USA: DVD title)
24. "La Femme Nikita"
... aka Nikita (Canada: English title)
- Soul Sacrifice (1998) TV Episode .... Terry
25. Thick as Thieves (1998) .... Janet Hussein
26. "Spawn" (1997) TV Series (voice) .... Lakesha/Nurse
... aka Todd McFarlane's Spawn
27. Terminal (1996) (TV) .... Dr. Deborah Levy
... aka Robin Cook's Terminal
28. No Easy Way (1996) .... Diana Campbell
29. Greedy (1994) .... Laura Densmore, P.I.
30. Sugar Hill (1994) .... Ella Skuggs
... aka Harlem
31. To My Daughter with Love (1994) (TV) .... Harriet
32. House Party 3 (1994) .... Janelle
33. Shameful Secrets (1993) (TV) .... Rosalie
... aka Going Underground
34. Poetic Justice (1993) .... Simone
35. What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) .... Darlene
... aka Tina: What's Love Got to Do with It (Australia) (UK)
36. Menace II Society (1993) .... Karen Lawson
37. Joshua Tree (1993) .... Maralena Turner
... aka Army of One (USA: video title)
38. CB4 (1993) .... Sissy
39. "A Different World"
- Citizen Wayne (1989) TV Episode .... Theressa Stone
40. Maid to Order (1987) .... Hooker in Jail
41. A Chorus Line (1985) .... Dancer
42. Streetwalkin' (1985) .... Star
... aka City Streets
... aka Cookie
43. "The Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson" (1985) TV Series .... Regular
... aka Motown Revue (USA: short title)
44. "FTV" (1985) TV Series .... Various characters