Flex Alexander

Flex Alexander
Born Mark Alexander Knox
(1970-04-15) April 15, 1970
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Other names Flex, Mark "Flex" Knox
Occupation Actor, comedian, dancer
Years active 1992present
Spouse(s) Shanice (February 14, 2000 present)
Children 2

Mark Alexander Knox (born April 15, 1970), better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.

Early life

Born in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead. As a teen, he began dancing in New York clubs earning the nickname "Flex" due to his acrobatic dance skills. After being discovered by DJ Spinderella, he began touring with rap trio Salt-n-Pepa's dance troupe for three years. In addition to dancing, Alexander also choreographed for Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah. In 1989, he made his stand-up comedy debut and eventually turned to acting, making his film debut in the 1992 film Juice.[1] Alexander also was a regular cast member of the sketch comedy show, Uptown Comedy Club, from 1992-1994.

Career

Alexander's first television role was on the short-lived 1993 ABC sitcom Where I Live, starring Doug E. Doug. Despite being critically acclaimed, the series was canceled that same year. Alexander then guest starred on episodes of Sister, Sister and The Cosby Mysteries before moving to Los Angeles in 1995 to concentrate on acting.[2] In 1996, he landed a starring role on another short-lived sitcom Homeboys in Outer Space. The series was critically panned and canceled the following year.[3][4] Later that year, Alexander co-starred in yet another short-lived series, the Steven Bochco-created Total Security. Following Total Security's run, Alexander guest starred on Brooklyn South and The Parkers, and also had roles in several films including the 1998 direct-to-video release Backroom Bodega Boyz and She's All That (1999).[5]

From 2000 to 2001, Alexander appeared as Maya Wilkes' husband Darnell during the first season of the UPN sitcom Girlfriends. He left Girlfriends to star as single father Mark "Flex" Washington on the UPN sitcom One on One, a series he created and produced.[6] For his role on the series, Alexander was nominated for three NAACP Image Awards and two BET Comedy Awards. In 2004, he portrayed Michael Jackson in the VH1 television biopic Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story,[7] which garnered him another NAACP Image Award nomination. Alexander returned to One on One for two more seasons, however, during the last season, his character was written out and reduced to a recurring role when the show's premise was rebooted.[8]

Following the end of One on One, Alexander had roles in the 2006 film Snakes on a Plane, opposite Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2007 horror film The Hills Have Eyes 2. He also had a role in Clement Virgo's Poor Boy's Game, with Danny Glover. Alexander's most recent role was in a 2007 episode of CSI: Miami.[5] Flex and his wife, Shanice, will have their own reality show Flex & Shanice premiering November 1, 2014, on OWN.

Personal life

Alexander, a born-again Christian, married R&B singer Shanice Wilson on Valentine's Day 2000.[1] They have two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Alexander-Knox (born August 23, 2001) and son Elijah Alexander-Knox (born March 5, 2004). Flex is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.[9][10]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1992 Juice Flex the Contest Auditioner Credited as Mark "Flex" Knox
1995 Money Train Hood Credited as Flex
1997 The Sixth Man Jerrod Smith Credited as Flex
City of Industry A Roc Credited as Flex
1998 Backroom Bodega Boyz Credited as Flex
Direct-to-video release
1999 She's All That Kadeem
2001 Out Cold Anthony
2004 Gas Damien
Shira: The Vampire Samurai Small Change Willie Credited as Flex
Direct-to-video release
2005 Her Minor Thing Marty
2006 Snakes On a Plane Three G's
2007 Love... & Other 4 Letter Words Arnold
Poor Boy's Game Ossie Paris
The Hills Have Eyes 2 Sarge
The List Chet
2013 My Sister's Wedding Matthew Credited as Flex

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Where I Live Reggie Coltrane Unknown episodes
1994 Sister, Sister Cold Dog 1 episode
New York Undercover Mecca 1 episode
1995 The Cosby Mysteries Partygoer 1 episode
1996–1997 Homeboys in Outer Space Tyberius Walker 21 episodes
1997 Moesha Dread 1 episode
Total Security Neville Watson 13 episodes
Brooklyn South Buster 1 episode
1998 Modern Vampires Trigger Credited as Flex
Television movie
Ice Kelvin Credited as Flex
Television movie
1999 The Force Television movie
The Apartment Complex Television movie
Santa and Pete Pete Television movie
2000 The Parkers Andy 1 episode
2000–2001 Girlfriends Darnell Wilkes 5 episodes
2001–2006 One on One Mark "Flex" Washington 96 episodes
Lead role (seasons 1-4), Recurring role (season 5)
2004 Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story Michael Jackson Television movie
2005 Cuts Flex Washington 1 episode
2007 Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office Deef Television movie
CSI: Miami Martin Wilson 1 episode
2010 Blue Bloods Det. Demarcus King 1 episode (Pilot)
2011 It Takes Two Mark "Flex" Wolf 1 episode
2012 Single Ladies James Blackwell 1 episode
2013 Masters of Sex Walter 1 episode
2014–present Flex & Shanice Himself Main cast

Award nominations

Year Award Result Category Film or series
2004 BET Comedy Awards Nominated Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series One on One
2005 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series One on One
2003 NAACP Image Awards Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series One on One
2004 Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series One on One
2005 Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story
Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series One on One

References

  1. 1 2 Dougherty, Steve (2003-10-06). "Flex Appeal". People. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  2. "Flex Alexander: Biography". tvguide.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  3. McKissack, Fredrick L. , Jr. (February 1997). "Homeboys in Outer Space". The Progressive. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  4. Tucker, Ken (1996-09-13). "Beyond the Big 4". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  5. 1 2 "Flex Alexander Biography". filmreference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  6. "Yahoo! TV Bio". tv.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  7. Morales, Tatiana (2004-08-06). "Flex Alexander Plays King Of Pop". cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  8. Alexander, Flex (2006-08-16). "Snakes on a Plane". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  9. "Celebrities and Their Babies". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 58 (2): 42. December 2002. ISSN 0012-9011.
  10. "Ebony On the Scene". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 60 (3): 18. January 2005. ISSN 0012-9011.

External links

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