Jane Alexander
Birth Place: Boston, MA, USA
What to Watch in March: WICKED: FOR GOOD, AMERICAN CLASSIC, and Other Theater Highlights (Mar 2, 2026)
Arena Stage Welcomes Darren Johnston as Associate Artistic Director (Feb 27, 2026)
Exclusive: Laura Linney Wants You To Do Community Theater (Feb 27, 2026)
BIO
Jane Alexander is an American actress who has had a successful career in film, television, and theater. Born in Boston in 1939, Alexander grew up in a family of intellectuals and artists. Her father was a prominent economist and her mother was a composer and music teacher. Alexander attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied theater and earned a degree in English.
After college, Alexander moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. She made her Broadway debut in 1968 in the play "The Great White Hope," for which she received a Tony Award for Best Actress. The play, which was based on the life of boxer Jack Johnson, was a critical and commercial success and helped to launch Alexander's career.
Alexander went on to appear in several other Broadway productions, including "6 Rms Riv Vu" and "Find Your Way Home." She also appeared in numerous off-Broadway productions and regional theater productions. In 1972, Alexander received a second Tony nomination for her performance in "The Sisters Rosensweig."
In addition to her work on stage, Alexander has had a successful career in film and television. She made her film debut in 1970 in "The Great White Hope," for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to appear in several other films, including "All the President's Men," "Kramer vs. Kramer," and "The Cider House Rules."
Alexander has also had a successful career on television. She has appeared in several made-for-TV movies, including "Playing for Time," for which she received an Emmy Award for Best Actress. She has also appeared in several TV series, including "The Blacklist" and "Tell Me You Love Me."
Throughout her career, Alexander has been a vocal advocate for social and political causes. She has served as the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, and has been involved in several environmental and human rights organizations.
In addition to her acting work, Alexander is also an author. She has written several books, including "Command Performance: An Actress in the Theater of Politics," which chronicles her time as the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Alexander has been recognized for her contributions to the arts with numerous awards and honors. In addition to her Tony and Emmy awards, she has received the National Medal of Arts, the Women in Film Crystal Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Throughout her career, Alexander has been known for her versatility and her ability to bring depth and nuance to her performances. She has been praised for her ability to capture the essence of complex characters, and for her ability to convey emotion with subtlety and grace.
At 82 years old, Alexander continues to work in the entertainment industry.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Writing
Movies
[ 1970 ] Eleanor
[ 1971 ] Nora Tenneray
[ 1972 ] Dorothy
[ 1976 ] Bookkeeper
[ 1978 ] Alicia Hardeman
[ 1979 ] Margaret Phelps
[ 1980 ] Lillian Gray
[ 1982 ] Doris Strelzyk
[ 1983 ] Carol Wetherly
[ 1984 ] Addy
[ 1987 ] Anna
[ 1987 ] Juanelle
[ 1988 ] Georgia O Keeffe
[ 1999 ] Nurse Edna
[ 2002 ] Delia Temple
[ 2002 ] Dr. Grnik
[ 2006 ] Gertrude Nemerov
[ 2007 ] Esther Stevenson
[ 2008 ] Barbara Weathersby
[ 2009 ] Sofi Kozma
[ 2009 ] Virginia
[ 2011 ] Dr. Greeley
[ 2013 ] Joan Morgan
[ 2017 ] Dr. Abrams
[ 2020 ] Vivien Waldorf
TV Shows
C.
Diane Fowler
Judge Suzanne Morris
Judge Suzanne Morris
[ 2022-2025 ] Sissy Cobel
Awards and Nominations
Jane Alexander, Grand Horizons
Jane Alexander, The Lady From Dubuque
Jane Alexander, Honour
winner
Jane Alexander
winner
Jane Alexander
winner
Jane Alexander
winner
Jane Alexander
winner
Jane Alexander, The Sisters Rosensweig
Jane Alexander, The Sisters Rosensweig
Jane Alexander, The Sisters Rosensweig
Jane Alexander, The Visit
Jane Alexander, The Visit
Jane Alexander, The Visit
Jane Alexander , First Monday in October
Jane Alexander, Find Your Way Home
Jane Alexander , 6 Rms Riv Vu
winner
Jane Alexander, The Great White Hope
winner
Jane Alexander, The Great White Hope
winner
Jane Alexander, The Great White Hope
Videos
Video: Kevin Kline Takes Center Stage in First Trailer for Theater Series AMERICAN CLASSIC
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-05 11:23:13
VIDEO: Watch Jane Alexander and James Cromwell in the Opening Scene From GRAND HORIZONS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2020-05-17 10:01:48
VIDEO: James Cromwell Talks the 'Grey Divorce' in GRAND HORIZONS
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2020-02-06 14:57:09
TV: Jane Alexander, James Cromwell & More Celebrate Opening Night of GRAND HORIZONS
by TV - Opening Night Special - 2020-01-24 11:59:54
TV: James Cromwell, Jane Alexander & More Explain What GRAND HORIZONS is All About!
by Nicole Rosky - 2019-12-12 14:53:25
VIDEO: Amazon Prime Releases Trailer for MODERN LOVE Starring Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, John Gallagher, Jr., Cristin Milioti, and More!
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-09-12 14:57:41
STAGE TUBE: Miss SHOW BOAT in Concert with Norm Lewis, Vanessa Williams & More? Watch the Full Show Now!
by Nicole Rosky - 2015-10-23 12:45:00
STAGE TUBE: Norm Lewis Sings 'Ol' Man River' from SHOW BOAT on Tonight's LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER
by Matt Tamanini - 2015-10-16 12:56:45
TV: Inside OLD TIMES' Opening Night on Broadway with Clive Owen, Eve Best & Kelly Reilly!
by TV - Opening Night Special - 2015-10-07 13:03:27
TV Exclusive: Watch Highlights from NY Philharmonic's SHOW BOAT with Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis & More!
by Nicole Rosky - 2014-11-06 09:00:51
News
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 2, 2026
To mark the arrival of spring, there are plenty of new things for Broadway fans to watch, including the theater series American Classic, Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! and the streaming debuts of Wicked: For Good and Hamnet.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has named Darren Edward Johnston as Associate Artistic Director of Commercial Strategy and Partnership.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 27, 2026
Laura Linney stars in American Classic, a new TV series that spotlights community and the power of live theater. The series premieres on MGM+ this Sunday, March 1.
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 24, 2026
The world premiere of Marcel on the Train, co-written by Marshall Pailet and Tony Award nominee Ethan Slater, and directed by Pailet, recently celebrated its opening night. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from opening night here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 16, 2026
U.S. Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand will be bringing Harold Clurman, the 'Elder Statesman of the American Theatre' alive in the South Caroilna premiere of his solo play, Let It Be Art! at the Bluebird Theatre in Orangeburg.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 5, 2026
Kevin Kline is returning to his stage roots in the first trailer for American Classic, the theater-themed comedy series starring the Tony and Academy Award-winner.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 15, 2026
MGM+ has shared a first look at the theater-themed comedy series American Classic starring Kevin Kline, Laura Linney, and Jon Tenney. Newly announced cast members include Aaron Tveit, Tony Shalhoub, and Stephen Spinella. Check out photos from the show now.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 9, 2025
On April 7, 2025, stars of the stage and screen gathered to honor the life of the late James Earl Jones at the James Earl Jones Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos here!
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 26, 2025
US Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand celebrating his 25th year starring as Harold Clurman, the 'Elder Statesman of the American Theatre' touring around the world in his celebrated solo play, LET IT BE ART! will perform in Asheville, North Carolina at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts on April 25th.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2024
Ronald Rand will perform his acclaimed solo play LET IT BE ART! as Harold Clurman in Athens during the Global Arts Education Summit, marking nearly 25 years of world tours. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by Elliot Lanes - Sep 11, 2024
This past Monday the theatre world lost someone who was arguably one of the finest performers of all time. Most people knew James Earl Jones as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies or from the film Field of Dreams but for those of us who live and breathe theatre, we will always remember his performances onstage.
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2024
Idris Goodwin, artistic director of the Seattle Children's Theatre is the 2024 recipient of the Margo Jones Award.
by Josh Sharpe - May 6, 2024
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosted more than 125 outstanding theater students from colleges and universities across the nation as part of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 23, 2024
Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 24 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's spring reading list.
by R. Scott Reedy - Nov 9, 2023
What did our critic think of BLUE MAN GROUP at The Charles Playhouse? Blue Man Group has been in residence at Boston’s Charles Playhouse for so many years, that – with the exception of tourists and new-to-town college students – it’s probably been a long time since local theatergoers have given the show much thought.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2023
As part of its new Building the Box Developmental Reading Series, Out of the Box Theatrics will present readings of SQUEAKY, a poignant autobiographical comedy by Drama Desk Award winner Jeff Cohen.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2023
Love Among the Ruins has been extended on additional week. Learn more about how to get tickets to the new shows here!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 20, 2023
Victory Productions, a full-service entertainment company, announces that its next show premiere will be the iconic production, Dreamgirls, following the successful runs of Something Rotten! and Rock of Ages.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2023
PS CLASSICS, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, has announced the release of the debut album from actor-singer Matthew Scott, who has been lighting up the Broadway stage since making his debut in Jersey Boys.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 18, 2023
Get an exclusive first listen to Matthew Scott's “When the Earth Stopped Turning” off his upcoming album The Jesus Year: a letter from my dad.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Jane Alexander has appeared on Broadway in 14 shows.
Jane Alexander has not appeared in the West End.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Grand Horizons, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Lady From Dubuque , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Honour, Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (The Lortels), The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Special Awards (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Special Awards (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Sisters Rosensweig, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Sisters Rosensweig, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Sisters Rosensweig, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Visit, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Visit , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Visit, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for First Monday in October, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Find Your Way Home, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for 6 Rms Riv Vu, Oustanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Great White Hope, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The Great White Hope and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Great White Hope.
Jane Alexander has won several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award from The Lortels and the American Express Tribute at the Helen Hayes Awards. She has received Special Awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards twice. Additionally, she won Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Sisters Rosensweig, and Outstanding Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for The Great White Hope. Jane Alexander also earned the Theatre World Award for her performance in The Great White Hope and won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for the same production.
Jane Alexander has written 1 shows including What of the Night (Creator).
Videos