Khandi Alexander facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Khandi Alexander
Alexander in 2014
Born	Harriet Rene Alexander (1957-09-04) September 4, 1957 (age 67) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Dancer choreographer actress
Years active	1985–present

Harriet Rene "Khandi" Alexander (born September 4, 1957) is an American dancer, choreographer, and actress. She started her career as a dancer in the 1980s. Khandi was a choreographer for Whitney Houston's world tours from 1988 to 1992.

In the 1990s, Alexander appeared in many films. These included CB4 (1993) and There's Something About Mary (1998). She also starred as Catherine Duke in the NBC show NewsRadio from 1995 to 1998. She had a big role in the NBC medical drama ER (1995–2001). She played Jackie Robbins, who was the sister of Dr. Peter Benton. Alexander was also praised for her main role in the HBO miniseries The Corner in 2000.

From 2002 to 2009, Alexander played Dr. Alexx Woods in the CBS police show CSI: Miami. Later, from 2010 to 2013, she starred as LaDonna Batiste-Williams in the HBO drama Treme. In 2013, she joined the cast of the ABC drama Scandal. She played Maya Lewis, who was Olivia Pope's mother. For this role, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2015. Alexander also received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination. This was for playing Viola, Bessie Smith's sister, in the 2015 HBO film Bessie.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Khandi Alexander was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Her mother, Alverina Yavonna, was an opera and jazz singer. Her father, Henry Roland Alexander, owned a construction company. Khandi grew up in Queens, New York. She studied at Queensborough Community College.

She performed on Broadway, which is famous for its theater shows. She was in popular musicals like Chicago, Dancin', and Dreamgirls. From 1988 to 1992, she was a choreographer for Whitney Houston's world tours. She also appeared as a dancer in Natalie Cole's music video for "Pink Cadillac" in 1988.

Acting Career Highlights

Alexander in 2013

Alexander started her acting career in the late 1980s. Her first TV appearance was in 1985 on the comedy show FTV. Since the early 1990s, Alexander has focused on movies and TV. She played supporting roles in films like CB4, What's Love Got to Do with It, and Poetic Justice.

In 1995, Alexander got the role of Catherine Duke on the NBC comedy series NewsRadio. She was a main character for four seasons. She also played Jackie Robbins in the medical drama ER. Alexander has made guest appearances on many other TV shows. These include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and NYPD Blue.

In 2000, Alexander earned praise for her role as Fran Boyd in the HBO miniseries The Corner. She later appeared in films like Dark Blue. From 2002 to 2008, she played Dr. Alexx Woods in the CBS police drama CSI: Miami. Dr. Woods was a medical examiner on the show. Alexander left CSI: Miami in 2008. She returned for guest appearances in 2009.

In 2008, Alexander was cast in the HBO drama Treme. The show started in 2010. She played a bar owner in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She received great reviews for her acting in this show. Alexander starred in Treme until it ended in 2013. After that, she joined Shonda Rhimes' drama series Scandal. She played Maya Lewis, the mother of Kerry Washington's character, Olivia Pope. In 2015, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for this role.

In 2014, Alexander played the older sister of Queen Latifah's character in the HBO Film Bessie. This movie was about the famous blues singer Bessie Smith. For her role, she was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Khandi Alexander para niños