Grant Aleksander
Grant Aleksander | |
|---|---|
| Born | Grant Aleksander Kunkowski August 6, 1960 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse | Sherry Ramsey (1987–present) |
Grant Aleksander (born Grant Aleksander Kunkowski; August 6, 1960) is an American actor, best known for his role as Phillip Spaulding on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light.
He received a Soap Opera Digest Award and four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his role on Guiding Light.
Early life[edit]
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Timonium.[1] Aleksander is the youngest of three sons.[2] He attended McDonogh School, where he played football. He became interested in acting after a drama teacher encouraged him to try out for a school production.[3] He attended Washington and Lee University, but left to study at New York University and pursue his acting career. He eventually returned to Washington and Lee, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre in 2012.[4]
Career[edit]
After moving to New York, Aleksander worked as a waiter and tried modeling. He appeared in an ABC Afterschool Special, A Very Delicate Matter, in 1982.[3]
He landed his big break when he was cast as Phillip Spaulding on Guiding Light. He initially played the role from 1982-1984, then left to pursue other opportunities.[1]
Aleksander landed guest starring roles on Hardcastle and McCormick, Who's the Boss?, and The Fall Guy. He appeared in the TV movie Dark Mansions and the film Tough Guys. Returning to soaps, he had a brief stint as DJ Phillips on Capitol in 1986.[3][5]
He returned to Guiding Light as Phillip Spaulding in 1986 and stayed until early 1991.[6] He decided to leave due to burn out from the show's fast paced schedule, as well as grief from the recent deaths of his parents.[1]
In 1993, Aleksander joined the cast of the ABC Daytime soap opera All My Children as Alec McIntyre.[7] He stayed with AMC until 1996.
Aleksander returned to Guiding Light in 1996 and continued playing the role of Phillip until 2004, when he was abruptly dismissed from the show.[8] Media reports speculated on a number of possible reasons, including his high salary, and allegations that Aleksander was temperamental or had been feuding with the actress who portrayed his love interest. Aleksander said the dismissal was storyline dictated.[9]
After being killed off, it was revealed in May 2006 that Phillip Spaulding was still alive. However, the character didn't appear on camera again until Aleksander returned in February 2009.[10] He stayed with Guiding Light until it's final episodes in September 2009.
During his time away from Guiding Light, Aleksander directed episodes of As the World Turns.[10] He appeared in the 2006 film The Big Bad Swim, co-starring with Paget Brewster.[11] In 2008, he landed a guest starring role on Life on Mars, playing a Soap Opera doctor.[12]
Aleksander joined the cast of the web series Tainted Dreams in 2013, playing Adam Clark.[13]
In late 2014, Aleksander returned to Washington and Lee as a Guest Artist in the first "Dick Sessoms Honorary Production" of Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession. He played Sir George Crofts, with Rob Mish directing.[14]
Aleksander starred in Mary, Mary at Cape May Stage in 2015.[15] He also appeared Off Broadway in Perfect Crime in May and June 2019.[16]
Personal life[edit]
Aleksander met his wife, attorney Sherry Ramsey, when they were cast in a play together as students at Washington and Lee.[1] They were married on September 19, 1987.[3]
Aleksander and his wife have rescued many animals and are supporters of PETA.[1]
Awards[edit]
Aleksander has been nominated for seven Soap Opera Digest Awards, winning one in 1999, for "Favorite New Couple", with Beth Ehlers, who played his former love interest, Harley Cooper.[3]
He received his first Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1998 for Outstanding Supporting Actor for Guiding Light.[17] He was nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards in 2003, 2004, and 2005 for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series.[18][19]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Tough Guys | Bartender at Mickey's | |
| 2006 | The Big Bad Swim | Paul Pierson |
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Larry Milligan | Episode: "A Very Delicate Matter" |
| 1983–2009 | Guiding Light | Phillip Spaulding | 334 episodes |
| 1985 | Who's the Boss? | Guss McGee | Episode: "Hunk of the Month" |
| 1985 | Hardcastle and McCormick | Biff Anderson | Episode: "Mirage a Trois" |
| 1986 | The Fall Guy | Cliff | Episode: "Beach Blanket Bounty" |
| 1986 | You Again? | Waiter | Episode: "Uncle Randy" |
| 1986 | Dark Mansions | Nicholas Drake | TV movie |
| 1986 | Capitol | D.J. Phillips | Regular Role |
| 1993–1996 | All My Children | Alec McIntyre | Regular Role |
| 2002 | A Wedding Story: Josh and Reva | Phillip Spaulding | Uncredited |
| 2008 | Life on Mars | Soap Opera Doctor | Episode: "Tuesday's Dead" |
| 2014–2017 | Tainted Dreams | Adam Clark | 12 episodes |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e O'Neil, Jerry (November 2, 1993). "Nothing for Granted". Soap Opera Weekly. 4 (44).
- ^ Collymore, Terrie (August 30, 1994). "Aleksander the Great". Soap Opera Digest. 19 (18).
- ^ a b c d e "About the Actors: Grant Aleksander". Soap Central. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Newcomb, Roger (May 25, 2012). "Grant Aleksander Graduates From Washington and Lee University". We Love Soaps. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Aleksander, Grant 1959 -". Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Guiding Light's Beth and Phillip Wed on Valentine's Day...and Wave Goodbye". Soap Opera Digest. 16 (4): 33, 42. February 19, 1991.
- ^ "Late Breaking News: Aleksander Signs with AMC". Soap Opera Digest. 18 (15): 4. July 20, 1993.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (September 4, 2004). "Lights out for GL's Grant Aleksander". Soap Central. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Good Night, and Good Luck". Soap Opera Digest. October 11, 2006. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Kroll, Dan J. (November 11, 2008). "Grant Aleksander to return to Guiding Light". Soap Central. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Eisner, Ken (June 30, 2006). "The Big, Bad Swim". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Former Guiding Light Star Grant Aleksander Hits Primetime". Soaps. November 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Grant Aleksander Joins Tainted Dreams". Soap Opera Digest. June 13, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences". Washington & Lee. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Guiding Light Fave Hits the Stage". Soap Opera Digest. June 17, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wild, Stephi (May 2, 2019). "GUIDING LIGHT Stars Join Cast Of PERFECT CRIME To Celebrate Its 33rd Year". Broadway World. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Daytime Emmy Nominations". The Spokesman-Review. March 13, 1998. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 31st Daytime Emmy Nominees - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series Archived 2012-05-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 32nd Daytime Emmy Nominees - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series Archived 2012-01-20 at the Wayback Machine