tibette

jennifer beals

"I get emotional all the time," says Jennifer Beals. "I get emotional every time I make a speech, or talk about other cast members," she says. "Every now and again, my heart just explodes and expands."
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"If Jennifer is passionate about something, it comes to the surface within seconds," says Laurel Holloman . "My theory on that is all the best actors have a couple of layers of skin peeled away. There's a huge emotional life in Jennifer, and it's kind of beautiful."

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  Biography

Jennifer Beals, born in December 19th in Chicago, is a former teen model and American film actress who is best known for her role as Alexandra "Alex" Owens in the 1983 movie Flashdance and as Bette Porter on the lesbian themed drama series The L Word.
Beals was born to an African-American father, Alfred (a grocery store owner who died when she was ten), and an Irish-American mother, Jeanne Cohen (an elementary school teacher). Beals is a graduate of Francis W. Parker School and Yale University, receiving a B.A. in American Literature. She has participated in more than fifty movies.
Jennifer was traveling in Europe when her publicist called her for a New York audition that the filmmakers were pitching as a "female Saturday Night Fever," Beals booked the first flight back to the states and, despite the presence of thousands of other eager young actresses, somehow managed to stand out from the crowd to impress producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Beals' only other film work to that point was as an extra in 1980's My Bodyguard, so it was quite a gamble to cast a virtual unknown in the lead. This was especially true, given that, days before the film's premiere, Paramount Pictures sold off 25 percent of the film; however, the gamble paid off and Flashdance became nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. With ripped, oversized sweaters adorning teenage girls nationwide, it seemed as if Beals had the cinematic world at her fingertips -- and then the bottom dropped out. When it was later revealed that Beals impressive moves weren't entirely her own, audiences felt betrayed (as if action stars really do all of their own stunts) and subsequently protested the burgeoning actress without taking into consideration that she was the dramatic core of the film.
Opting to continue her education at Yale immediately following Flashdance's production, roles in such efforts as The Bride (1985) and Split Decisions (1988) were squeezed in during Beals' summer breaks. Though neither effort did much to forward Beals' career, the actress would continue to appear in such quirky, low-budget efforts as Vampire's Kiss (1989) and Blood and Concrete (1991).
She was married to Alexandre Rockwell from 1986 to 1996. In 1998, she married Ken L Dixon. She and Dixon had a daughter in October 2005, and Dixon has two children from a previous marriage.
In her spare time Jennifer is an avid photographer.

Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture for "Flashdance" in 1984
Golden Satellite Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television "Twilight of the Golds" 1997

Trivia and Quotes

  • Jennifer doesn't want to reveal the names of her dogs since she considers them as part of her family, so that is a matter of privacy. It is alleged though that one of them is called Cerberus (from the Greek mythical beast that guarded the entrance to Hades), however it is not confirmed
  • As an amateur photographer--a "brilliant" one according to The Anniversary Party writer, director and co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh, who had Beals take all the photos that were featured in that film--Beals is very concerned with imagery and representation. With her role on The L Word, she hopes to give the gay community the images of themselves that have been so sorely lacking.
  • In 2002 Jennifer had a leading role in "They shoot divas don't they?", in which she played Sloan McBride, a rock star from the 80s who, though her career is slowly going down the tubes, is trying to keep her head above water. Jennifer actually does the singing herself, with great results
  • "It's been perfect. I can still ride a subway and work with great people. I can't imagine being Julia Roberts. I don't have the fortitude to withstand that kind of attention."
  • Jennifer about turning down Flashdance sequel : I've never been drawn to something by virtue of how rich or famous it will make me. I turned down so much money, and my agents were just losing their minds
  • Jennifer has admitted that she would marry Kelly Lynch if she was aroused by members of her own sex - but she would have no desire to get intimate with Angelina Jolie, saying that she would be the last person anyone should think to marry
  • Jennifer studied welding for two months for her role as the welder/dancer in the mover 'Flashdance'
  • Jennifer has two brothers, one younger and one older than herself
  • Jennifer is good friends with Elizabeth Berkley, they both appeared together in the movie 'Roger Dodger'
  • In Flashdance (1983), the birth date filled out in the application form is her actual birth date in real life
  • Though nudity is not in short supply on The L Word, Beals is not one of the actors who bares it all. You don't see anything of me, says the Yale graduate. Beals made it clear to Showtime she wouldn't do nude scenes unless she saw a good reason for it, believing "a well-placed hand" suggests just as much.
  • Jennifer were among the stars featured in a photo book about celebrity knitters by photographer Abra Edelman called 'Celebrity Scarves'.
  • Her favorite food is cereals, especially Oatmeal



 Filmography

Tv appearances