Nancy Lee Grahn's Biography
courtesy of abc.com
Genuine, intelligent and independent are just a few of the words that can describe Emmy Award winning actress Nancy Lee Grahn. The seasoned actress, who arrived at General Hospital in 1996, plays strong and savvy Alexis Davis, a brilliant attorney with a sense of humor. In July 2001 Nancy graced the cover of the prestigious magazine California Lawyer, with a caption that read "Move over Ally; General Hospital's Alexis Davis is the best lawyer on television." She received her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in May of 2003. She was also nominated for her work as Alexis Davis in May of 2000 with a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress.
Nancy grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and makes frequent return
trips to visit family members. It was in a Skokie community theater production
of Oklahoma that Nancy landed her first role, "the pony on the left
that pulled the surrey with the fringe on top." But as she matured, so did
her roles.
While attending the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, Nancy had the great
fortune to study with Sandy Meisner and Bill Epsen. She went on to land roles in
productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Guys and Dolls, Two
for the Seesaw and Barefoot in the Park at various repertory theaters
across the country, including the Goodman Repertory theater in Chicago and
Michigan's Meadowbrook theater.
After she decided to move to Los Angeles, Nancy's television career began to
blossom. Her first role was that of Beverly Wilks, Marco Dane's secretary, on
the Daytime drama, One Life to Live. She went on to win guest-starring
roles on such shows as Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Babylon
V and Diagnosis Murder, among others. She has also played recurring
roles on Aaron Spelling's Models Inc. and Melrose Place, 7th
Heaven, as well as Stephen Bochco's Murder One. But the role dearest
to Nancy's heart was that of Julia Wainwright on the Daytime drama, Santa
Barbara, for which she won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in 1989.
As much joy as Nancy receives from her work, it pales in comparison to the joy
she receives from her daughter, Katherine Grace. She refers to it as
"heaven on a stick." Her presence in Nancy's life has cemented her
belief in the connection between heaven and earth.
The versatile Nancy has also written two plays, chaired the Media Access Awards
to promote portrayal of disability in the media, volunteered at Van Nuys Child
Abuse Clinic, and toured college campuses promoting specific women's issues. She
has also made the talk show circuit with her father, a recovering alcoholic, and
discussed alcoholism and its impact on the family. Nancy can be very politically
active when inspired. She founded Daytime for Choice in 1989, consisting of the
support of 99% of the Daytime community. Nancy also organized and hosted Daytime
for Gore, bringing together Daytime's brightest stars during the 2000
presidential election.
As a single working mother, Nancy no longer has any spare time when not working.
Her every moment is blissfully filled to the brim with daughter Kate. She
believes her purpose in life is to be happy — and is grateful to be just that.
Facts:
-Born on April 28, 1958 in Skokie, Illinois
-Attended the University of Illinois
-Once starred on a German soap opera following Santa Barbara's cancellation.. NLG and boyfriend at the time Matthew Laurance went to Germany and starred in Germany's leading soap opera that translates into "Good Times, Bad Times" where they played corporate spies.
Awards:
-2004, Nominated for Daytime Emmy for Oustanding Lead Actress on General Hospital
-2003, Nominated for Daytime Emmy for Oustanding Lead Actress on General Hospital
-2001, Won Soap Opera Digest Award for Oustanding Supporting Actress on General Hospital
-2000, Nominated for Daytime Emmy for Oustanding Supporting Actress on General Hospital
-2000, Won Soap Opera Digest Award for Oustanding Supporting Actress on General Hospital
-1993, Nominated for Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Female Star and also for Oustanding Lead Actress
-1989, Won Daytime Emmy for Oustanding Supporting Actress on Santa Barbara