Jennifer Beals

**Jennifer Beals** is an accomplished American actress who began her illustrious career in 1980. She first made waves with her film debut in 'My Bodyguard' before receiving critical acclaim for her performance as Alexandra Owens in 'Flashdance', earning her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. Over her four-decade long career, she has graced numerous films like 'Vampire's Kiss', 'Devil in a Blue Dress', 'The Last Days of Disco', and 'The Book of Eli' to name a few. She also featured in the sequel series 'The L Word: Generation Q' reprising her role as Bette Porter and served as an executive producer. As a biracial woman, Beals admits that her heritage has influenced her throughout her life, often giving her a sense of being 'the other' in society. Her first job was at an ice cream store when she was just 13 years old. Eventually, she graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in American Literature, having deferred a term to perform in 'Flashdance'. Her innumerable contributions to cinema have made her a well-respected figure in Hollywood. Outside of acting, Beals is a staunch supporter of women's rights, a vocal advocate for gay rights, and a practicing Buddhist with a keen interest in the Bible and Catholicism. Creatively, she is an enthusiastic photographer and has had shows featuring her works. She is also a fitness enthusiast, practicing kung-fu, sanshou, and kickboxing, besides being a triathlete. Her personal life includes a marriage to Canadian entrepreneur Ken Dixon and formerly Alexandre Rockwell. She has one child with Dixon and is a stepmother to his two children from a previous marriage.