Alexandra Powers Explained

Alexandra Powers
Birth Name:Alexandra Kristin Powers
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Yearsactive:1980–2001
Spouse:Barry Del Sherman
(m. 1993–199?)
Gavin Potter
(m. 2000–?)
Mother:Katharyn Powers

Alexandra Kristin Powers is an American former actress.[1]

Early life

Powers was born in New York City. She grew up in an "artsy, liberal environment" on both coasts with her divorced parents. Her father teaches acting.[2] She said in an interview that her parents "encouraged me to find my own truth". Commenting on her faith, she stated "I pray whenever I feel sad. And I believe that whatever is right will work out." In that same interview, she said that her father was Roman Catholic and her mother Katharyn Powers was interested in metaphysics.[3] Powers' mother wrote for television programs including Fantasy Island and Charlie's Angels. At the age of six, Powers announced her intentions to become an actress.[4]

Career

Powers appeared in various television and film roles, including Cast a Deadly Spell,[5] 21 Jump Street,[6] and Dead Poets Society.[7] In the film Rising Sun, Powers portrayed a prostitute who attempted to seduce the character played by actor Wesley Snipes.[8] She also had a recurring role on the NBC legal drama L.A. Law. She portrayed "Dusty Brown" in the NBC miniseries A Matter of Justice.[9] On being successfully cast in the NBC program Tonya and Nancy, Powers commented, "In a lot of ways, it's the role of the year".[10] For the program, she received ice-skating lessons from Dody Teachman, former coach to Tonya Harding. In a review for The Orlando Sentinel, Powers received a positive reception: "It should be said that Powers, the Christian lawyer on L.A. Law, is a dead ringer for Tonya ... and that she delivers a convincing performance."[11]

Personal life

In the early 1990s, Powers said she did not adhere to any religion: "I've sort of looked and searched. I was a Buddhist for about six months." She was married to actor Barry Del Sherman in December 1993, and publicly lamented: "I have to take my ring off when I go to work. And that makes me sad, because I put the ring on and I don't want to ever have to take it off."[2]

In the late 1990s she started following the set of beliefs and practices invented by the American author L. Ron Hubbard, and by 2000 had married Gavin Potter and joined Hubbard's Sea Organization, the religious order of Hubbard's Church of Scientology.[12] [13] [14]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983The ProdigalNancy Pringle
1985MaskLisa
1988Plain ClothesDaun-Marie Zeffer
1989Sonny BoyRose
Dead Poets SocietyChris Noel
1992The PlayerHerself
1993The Seventh CoinRonnie Segal Worlds Apart
Rising SunJulia
1996Last Man StandingLucy Kolinski
RaceSylvie
1997Out to SeaShelly
1998One Hell of a GuyCassie SpringerDirect-to-video
1999StormMajor Tanya GoodmanDirect-to-video;
Twister II: Extreme Tornado
2001ZigsSara Double Down

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Jennifer Slept HereCassidy1 episode
T. J. HookerSally1 episode
1984Silence of the HeartAndreaTelevision movie
1986Highway to HeavenArlene1 episode
Family TiesErin2 episodes
1987CBS Schoolbreak SpecialLaura Sanders1 episode
1988CBS Summer PlayhouseBeth1 episode
Unholy MatrimonyPatricia "Trish" JaworskyTelevision movie
1989The Hogan FamilyPrincess Julia3 episodes
1990Dangerous PursuitTelevision movie
21 Jump StreetOfficer Kati Rocky2 episodes
1991Cast a Deadly SpellOlivia HackshawTelevision movie
1993The Young Indiana Jones ChroniclesGloria1 episode
A Matter of JusticeKathy Charlene "Dusty" BrownTelevision movie
1993–1994L.A. LawJane Halliday22 episodes
1994Tonya HardingTelevision movie
Following Her HeartNola LundquistTelevision movie
1997C-16: FBIDana Morrison1 episode
1998Nobody Lives ForeverDetective Mary Ellen "Dusty" DustinTelevision movie
Maximum BobAngelyne Linklater1 episode
Fantasy Island1 episode
1999BrimstoneAnn "Sally" McGee1 episode

Notes and References

  1. News: Loynd . Ray . Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story . January 20, 2022 . Variety . April 29, 1994 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211028164054/https://variety.com/1994/tv/reviews/tonya-nancy-the-inside-story-1200436535/ . October 28, 2021.
  2. Gordinier, Jeff. December 3, 1993. She's No Saint. Entertainment Weekly. 2008-12-08.
  3. News: Sun-Sentinel. October 27, 1993 . Higher law - Alexandra Powers' devout, virginal character on 'L.A. Law' in many ways reflects her own views. James D.. Davis. 1. Sun-Sentinel Company.
  4. News: 'L.A. Law' Actress Relishes Her Role as Christian Lawyer - Alexandra Powers talks about staying clear of religious stereotypes. March 10, 1994. The Christian Science Monitor. Frank . Scheck. 11.
  5. Web site: Review/Television; A Detective and Sci-Fi In Los Angeles Magic. The New York Times. John J. O'Connor (journalist). J. O'Connor, John. September 10, 1991.
  6. Book: McNeil, Alex . 870. Total Television. Penguin Books. 1996. 0-14-024916-8.
  7. Book: Molinari, Matteo . Oops! They Did It Again!: More Movie Mistakes That Made the Cut. 62. Jim Kamm. 2002. Citadel. 0-8065-2320-4 .
  8. News: 'L.A. Law' gets lawyer who keeps the faith. August 19, 1993 . Peter . Johnson. USA Today. 3D. Gannett Co., Inc. .
  9. News: The Buffalo News. Alexandra Powers' virgin role gives a new look to 'L.A. Law' - playing 'A Matter of Justice' temptress helped her. November 7, 1993 . Ed (Dallas Morning News). Bark. TV3.
  10. News: Alexandra Powers of 'L.A. Law laces up an attitude for Tonya role. April 15, 1994 . Philadelphia Inquirer. The Orlando Sentinel. A2. Sentinel Communications Co..
  11. News: 'Tonya and Nancy'. April 30, 1994 . Greg . Dawson. The Orlando Sentinel. 3; Style. Sentinel Communications Co..
  12. News: Alexandra Powers: A promising actress kidnapped by Scientology . dataLounge.com . September 18, 2013 . 2016-05-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162705/https://www.datalounge.com/thread/13179948-alexandra-powers-a-promising-actress-kidnapped-by-scientology- . August 2, 2018.
  13. News: Alexandra Powers from Hollywood to Hell…Welcome to the Sea Org! . Scientology Celebrities and Human Rights . April 14, 2014 . 2016-05-05.
  14. Web site: Alexandra Powers -- Scientology Service Completions . 2016-05-05.