Alexandra Paul

For the Canadian ice dancer, see Alexandra Paul (figure skater).
Alexandra Paul
Paul at a pet adoption event
Born Alexandra Elizabeth Paul
(1963-07-29) July 29, 1963
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1982—present
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Spouse(s) Ian Murray (2000—present)

Alexandra Elizabeth Paul (born July 29, 1963) is an American actress, activist, health coach, and former model. Paul began her career modeling in New York before landing her first major role in John Carpenter's horror film Christine (1983). This was followed with prominent roles in American Flyers (1985), 8 Million Ways to Die (1986), and Dragnet (1987).

She is best known for her role as Lt. Stephanie Holden in the television series Baywatch from 1992–97. She has performed in a total of over 100 movies and television programs.[2]

Early life

Paul was born in New York City to Sarah, a social worker, and Mark Paul, an investment banker. Paul's mother was originally from England.[3] Paul was raised alongside her identical twin sister, Caroline, and younger brother, Jonathan, in the rural town of Cornwall, Connecticut.[4] According to Paul, her mother was "a very liberal Democrat and [her] father was a very conservative Republican."[5] She attended the Cornwall Consolidated School, and the Groton School in Massachusetts.[6][7] Paul was accepted into Stanford University, but chose not to attend so that she could focus on an acting career.[8]

Career

Paul began her career working as a model in New York City, and later moved to Los Angeles when she decided to pursue a career in acting.[8] Her first role was in the television film Paper Dolls (1982), followed by a role in the independent Canadian horror film American Nightmare (1983). Paul then landed a leading role in John Carpenter's horror film Christine (1983), opposite Keith Gordon, followed by a supporting role in the comedy Just the Way You Are (1984).

She later appeared in the sport drama American Flyers (1985) with Kevin Costner, 8 Million Ways to Die (1986), and the comedy Dragnet (1987), opposite Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd.[9] Paul worked prominently in television from the late eighties onward, perhaps being most remembered for her starring role on Baywatch, from 1992 to 1997. She also starred in the films Death Train (1993) and Nightwatch (1995) opposite Christopher Lee and Pierce Brosnan,[10] as well as the horror films The Paperboy (1994) and Spectre (1996).

Since 1999, she has starred in 14 films for Lifetime Network. She has also starred in the Fox TV series Fire Company 132 and appeared in the last eight episodes of Melrose Place. She guest-starred on Mad Men in 2008.[10] She hosted non-fiction TV shows, including WE's Winning Women and a southern California local environmentalism show, Earth Talk Today.[11][12] She made a cameo appearance with Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan in a deleted scene parodying her Baywatch role.[13] She did a cameo in the comedy spoofs Spy Hard and 2016's Sharknado 4.[10][14]

In 2015, Paul won Indie Series' Best Supporting Actress in a comedy webseries.[15]

Paul co-wrote and co-produced two documentaries: Jampacked, a documentary on the world population crisis, and The Cost of Cool: Finding Happiness in a Materialistic World. Jampacked received a Bronze Apple Award and first place recognition at the EarthVision Environmental Film and Video Festival. The Cost of Cool won a CINE Golden Eagle Award.[10] She also produced eight PSAs on the benefits of driving electric vehicles for the non-profit Plug In America.[16]

Personal life

Paul has been married to Ian Murray since 2000. She became a vegetarian at age fourteen after reading the book Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé, and became a vegan in 2010.[8][17]

Paul is childless by choice.[18]

Political activism

Paul is an outspoken animal rights, environmental, peace and gay rights activist.[6][19] She walked 5 1/2 weeks on the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament in 1986. Paul has been arrested for civil disobedience over a dozen times at the Nevada Test Site between 1987 and 2000.[20] In 1989, she was arrested for peacefully advocating on behalf of people with HIV.[21] She was arrested twice in 2003 for civil disobedience protesting the Iraq War and spent five days in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center after refusing to pay the $50 fine. In 2005, she was arrested for protesting the crushing of the EV1, and performed 100 hours of community service.[22] Paul's younger brother, Jonathan, is also an animal rights activist, who served 51 months in prison for his role in the arson of a slaughterhouse.[23]

She has traveled to Nicaragua with Operation USA and to South Africa to register voters. Paul volunteered in Sierra Leone with the non profit Population Media Center. In 2006, Paul donated $250 to the Ned Lamont campaign against Joe Lieberman, because Lieberman supported the war in Iraq.[24][25]

She received the 2014 Vegan of the Year by Last Chance for Animals,[26] and in 2007 received a United Nations Environment Programme honor for her contribution to overpopulation issues.[27]

In discussing her political activism, Paul said:

I am sure there are some who do not like me for my outspokenness and my views, and I totally respect their right to boycott my projects. I actually respect folks who stand up for their beliefs – even if I disagree with them- than the folks who do not care, are afraid to “get involved”, or who cannot be bothered. I admire passion and commitment. A woman once told me she could not watch those slaughterhouse videos because she “loves animals so much” and it would upset her. I would prefer to hang out with a hunter who believes he is doing the right thing, than a wuss like her.[8]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1982Paper Dolls Laurie Caswell Television film
1983American NightmareIsabelle
1983 Christine Leigh Cabot
1984 Getting Physical Kendall Gibley Television film
1984 Just the Way You Are Bobbie
1985American Flyers Becky
1986 8 Million Ways to Die Sunny
1987 Dragnet Connie Swail
1988Out of the ShadowsJan Lindsey Television film
1988 After the Rain Petra Guera
1989 Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin Amy Hastings Television film
1989Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder Amy Hastings Television film
1989Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson Amy Hastings Television film
1990 Laker Girls Heidi/Jennie Television film
1991 In Between Amy
1991 Miliardi Giulia Ferretti
1992 Prey of the Chameleon Carrie
1992 Kuffs The Chief's Wife uncredited
1993 Sunset Grill Anita
1993Death TrainSabrina CarverTelevision film
1994The PaperboyMelissa Thorpe
1994Nothing to Lose Natasha
1995Cyber BanditsRebecca Snow
1995Baywatch: Forbidden ParadiseLt. Stephanie Holden
1995PiranhaMaggie McNamara Television film
1995 Night WatchSabrina CarverTelevision film
1995Mixed BlessingsBethTelevision film
1995Daytona BeachAnnie GibsonTelevision film
1996SpectreMaura SouthAlso known as: House of the Damned
1996Kid Cop Sarah Hansen
1996 Spy Hard Woman in Murphy Bed
1997Kiss & TellBambie the Manicurist
1997 Naked in the Cold Sun
1997EchoOlivia JordanTelevision film
1998 12 Bucks Epiphany Lovejoy
1999 RevengeLaura Underwood
1999Arthur's Quest Caitlin RegalTelevision film
2000For the Love of May Emily
2000ExposureJackie Steerman
2000 Green Sails Laura Taylor Television film
2000The Brainiacs.comKara Banks
200110 Attitudes Leslie
2001 Above & BeyondJill Amorosa
2001Facing the Enemy Olivia McCleary
2001Danger on Flight 534Katy PhillipsTelevision film
2001Diary of a Sex Addict Katherine
2001Breaking Up Really SucksCharlie
2001 The Cost of Cool: Finding Happiness in a Materialistic World Herself Golden Eagle Award
2002Redemption of the Ghost Audrey Powell
2003A Woman HuntedLainie Wheeler
2003Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding Allison Ford Television film
2004LandslideEmma Decker
2004 Saving Emily Cheryl Television film
2005A Lover's Revenge Liz Manners
2006Love Thy Neighbor Laura Benson Television film
2006Who Killed the Electric Car? Herself Documentary
2006Trapped!SamanthaTelevision film
2006Disaster Zone: Volcano in New YorkSusanTelevision film
2006Borat Herself Scene cut
2006Gospel of DeceitEmily WendellTelevision film
2006A.I. AssaultMarlon AdamsTelevision film
2007Demons from Her Past AllisonTelevision film
2007Benny Bliss and the Disciples of GreatnessMall Gal
2007 He's Such a Girl Linda
2008A Date with Murder (Murder Dot Com)Stacy
2008Tru LovedLeslie
2008Family of FourJanice Baker
2009A Sister's SecretKatherine Television film
2009 Christmas Crash Christine Johnson
2010In My SleepRoxana
2010The Boy She Met Online Tori Winters
2010 The Frankenstein Brothers Laurie Martinson
2010What Is the Electric Car?HerselfDocumentary
2011Betrayed At 17Michelle RossTelevision film
2011Christmas SpiritWinnie Television film
2012Love at the Christmas TableEve ReedTelevision film
201216-LoveMargo Mash
2013MentorAlexandraIndie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress
2014FirequakeDr. Eve Carter
2014Dinner at Le Cruel Wife Short film
2015 The Bride He Bought OnlineDet. Kathy Schumaker
2015DirtyAsst. DA Sara Dunlap
2016 Sharknado: The 4th Awakens Stephanie Holden - Astro-X Rocket Scientist Television film
Television
Year Series Role Notes
1987 The Hitchhiker Julie 1 episode
1993 Johnny Bago Erica 1 episode
1992–97 Baywatch Lt. Stephanie Holden 66 episodes
1997Baywatch Nights Stephanie Holden 1 episode
1996–97 L.A. Firefighters Firefighter T.K. Martin 7 episodes
1998 The Love Boat: The Next Wave Gillian Stansfield 1 episode
1999 Melrose Place Terry O'Brien8 episodes
2000 Chicken Soup for the Soul Leann Richards1 episode
2002 Rendez-View Herself1 episode
2003 She Spies Christine Black 1 episode
2008Mad MenPauline Phillips 1 episode

References

  1. "Alexandra Paul Height". Celeb Heights. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  2. "Baywatch Nights' model keeps a lookout for not-so-wholesome role". L.A. Times profile of Alexandra Paul. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  3. "Interview: Actress Alexandra Paul". Movie Geeks United. June 19, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  4. Morales, Tito. "Exclusive: Actress Alexandra Paul Conquers the Bonaire Ecoswim". Swimming World Magazine. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  5. Wagner, Joyce (April 19, 1993). "Brother Behind Bars". People. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Biography: Alexandra Paul". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  7. "Alexandra Paul profile". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Meehan, Ryan (April 22, 2015). "10 Questions with Alexandra Paul". First Order Historians. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  9. "CHRISTINE Revisited, Part Two: A Q&A with Alexandra Paul, fangoria.com; accessed July 29, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Alexandra Paul at the Internet Movie Database
  11. "Alexandra Paul Hosts Female Extreme Sports Series Premiering April 19". AMC Networks. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  12. "About EarthTalk Today TV". EarthTalk Today. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  13. "'Baywatch' Cast Then & Now". xfinity.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  14. "There Was Just a "Baywatch" Reunion -- Which Lifeguards Will Star In "Sharknado 4"?". Too Fab. March 15, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  15. "6th Annual Indie Series Awards: Complete List of Winners". Indie Series Awards. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  16. "Drive Electric". Plugin America. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  17. Staff (November 20, 2014). "We Catch Up With Former 'Baywatch' Star Alexandra Paul!". Life & Style. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  18. Paul, Alexandra (April 19, 2010). "Married, Without Children". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  19. "Q&A With Vegan Actor Alexandra Paul". PETA. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  20. Caps 2.0. "A Talk with Alexandra Paul". Retrojunk. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  21. Photo, alexandrapaul.com; accessed April 30, 2016.
  22. Profile, alexandrapaul.com; accessed July 29, 2015.
  23. Paul, Caroline (May 24, 2007). "My brother, the 'terrorist'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  24. Lockhart, Brian. "70% of donors to Lamont's campaign are from out of state". The Advocate. Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  25. Lechaux & Roussel 2010, pp. 136–39.
  26. 2014 Vegan of the Year, alexandrapaul.com; accessed July 29, 2015.
  27. "Hollywood Actress, Alexandra Paul, to Train Actors in Sierra Leone". Population Media. February 21, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2015.

Bibliography

External links

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