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Khandi Alexander was born on September 4, 1957, and raised in New York City, USA. She grew up in a family of performers—her mother, Alverina Yavonna, was an opera singer and dancer, while her father, Roland Alexander, owned a construction business. Alexander began dancing at the age of six, studying various styles including contemporary and ballet. Her natural performance ability quickly impressed her instructors. She later attended Queensborough Community College and soon transitioned to professional theater.
Her early career in dance included performances in Broadway productions such as Dreamgirls, Chicago, and Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. In 1988, Alexander was featured as a dancer in the music video for Natalie Cole’s “Pink Cadillac.” That same year, she was appointed choreographer for Whitney Houston’s world tour, a position she held from 1988 to 1992. Her work as a choreographer and dancer laid a strong foundation for her future career in television and film.
Alexander began her acting career in the late 1980s, taking on small television roles. Her first notable screen appearance came in 1985 on the sketch-comedy show FTV. By the early 1990s, she secured more prominent roles in both television and films. She appeared in a series of impactful films, including Sugar Hill (1993), Poetic Justice (1993), What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), and CB4 (1993).
One of Alexander’s earliest major TV roles was in NBC’s sitcom NewsRadio, where she played Catherine Duke. Her performance garnered a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also portrayed Jackie Robbins, the sister of Dr. Peter Benton, in several episodes of ER. In 2000, Alexander gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Fran Boyd, a drug-addicted single mother, in HBO’s miniseries The Corner. Her performance earned her the Black Reel Award for Best Actress.
Alexander achieved widespread recognition for her long-running role as Dr. Alexx Woods on the crime drama CSI: Miami, appearing from 2002 to 2008 and returning for a special guest appearance in 2009. Her role as a medical examiner became iconic and helped establish her as a mainstay in American television drama. Another defining role came with HBO's Treme, in which she portrayed LaDonna Batiste-Williams, a complex character navigating post-Katrina New Orleans. Her performance in Treme earned her the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2013.
Alexander also had guest appearances in well-known shows such as Body of Proof, La Femme Nikita, Third Watch, Cosby, and Better Off Ted. More recently, she portrayed Maya Lewis, the mother of Olivia Pope, in the ABC political thriller Scandal. Her role in Scandal earned her further recognition, including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Over the span of her career, Khandi Alexander has appeared in more than 100 television shows and films. Her work has earned her multiple awards and nominations, including an NAACP Image Award, a Black Reel Award, and Primetime Emmy nominations. Her diverse career across dance, choreography, and acting showcases her versatility and enduring influence in the entertainment industry.
Beyond her on-screen accomplishments, Alexander maintains a strong presence on social media, where she continues to connect with a loyal fanbase. Her long-standing career and consistent performances have made her a respected figure in American television and film.
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