Grant Aleksander(bornGrant Aleksander Kunkowski;August 6, 1960)[1]is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Phillip Spaulding on theCBS Daytimesoap operaGuiding Light,off and on from 1982 until the show's cancellation in 2009. He received aSoap Opera Digest Awardand fourDaytime Emmy Awardnominations for his role onGuiding Light.
Grant Aleksander | |
|---|---|
| Born | Grant Aleksander Kunkowski August 6, 1960 |
| Alma mater | Washington and Lee University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse | Sherry Ramsey (m.1987) |
Early life
editAleksander was born inBaltimore,Marylandand raised inTimonium.[2]He is the youngest of three sons.[1]He attendedMcDonogh School,where he played football. He became interested in acting after a drama teacher encouraged him to try out for a school play.[3]After high school, he enrolled atWashington and Lee University,where he starred in productions ofThe Owl and the Pussycat,The Glass Menagerie,The Crucible,andHamlet.He also appeared on stage in Baltimore, starring inThe Prime of Miss Jean BrodieandCat on a Hot Tin Roof.He left Washington and Lee to study atNew York Universityand theCircle in the Square Theatre.[4]He eventually returned to Washington and Lee, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre in 2012.[5]
Career
editAfter moving to New York, Aleksander worked as a waiter and tried modeling. He appeared in anABC Afterschool Special,A Very Delicate Matter,in 1982.[3]He landed his big break when he was cast asPhillip SpauldingonGuiding Light.He initially played the role from 1982 to 1984, before leaving to pursue other opportunities.[2]
Aleksander landed guest starring roles onHardcastle and McCormick,Who's the Boss?,andThe Fall Guy.He appeared in the TV movieDark Mansionsand the filmTough Guys.Returning to soaps, he had a brief stint as DJ Phillips onCapitolin 1986.[3][6]
He returned toGuiding Lightas Phillip Spaulding in 1986 and stayed until early 1991.[7]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.[2]In 1993, Aleksander joined the cast of theABC Daytimesoap operaAll My Childrenas Alec McIntyre.[8]He stayed withAMCuntil 1996.
Aleksander returned toGuiding Lightin 1996 and continued playing the role of Phillip until 2004, when he was abruptly dismissed from the show.[9]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.[10]
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.[11]He stayed withGuiding Lightuntil its final episodes in September 2009.
During his time away fromGuiding Light,Aleksander directed episodes ofAs the World Turns.[11]In 2006, he appeared in the filmThe Big Bad Swim,co-starring withPaget Brewster.[12]He also had a role inFields of Freedom,a historical film about the battle ofGettysburg.[10]In 2008, he guest starred onLife on Mars,playing a soap opera doctor.[13]
Aleksander joined the cast of the web seriesTainted Dreamsin 2013, playing Adam Clark.[14]In late 2014, he returned toWashington and Lee Universityas a Guest Artist in the first "Dick Sessoms Honorary Production" ofGeorge Bernard Shaw'sMrs. Warren's Profession.[15]Aleksander starred inMary, MaryatCape May Stagein 2015.[16]He also appeared Off Broadway inPerfect Crimein May and June 2019.[17]
Personal life
editAleksander met his wife, attorney Sherry Ramsey, when they were cast in a play together as students atWashington and Lee University.[2]They were married on September 19, 1987.[3]
Aleksander and his wife have rescued many animals and are supporters ofPETA.[2]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Tough Guys | Bartender at Mickey's | |
| 2006 | The Big Bad Swim | Paul Pierson | |
| Fields of Freedom |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Larry Milligan | Episode: "A Very Delicate Matter" |
| 1982–2009 | Guiding Light | Phillip Spaulding | Contract role |
| 1985 | Who's the Boss? | Guss McGee | Episode: "Hunk of the Month" |
| Hardcastle and McCormick | Biff Anderson | Episode: "Mirage a Trois" | |
| 1986 | The Fall Guy | Cliff | Episode: "Beach Blanket Bounty" |
| You Again? | Waiter | Episode: "Uncle Randy" | |
| Dark Mansions | Nicholas Drake | Television film | |
| Capitol | D.J. Phillips | ||
| 1993–1996 | All My Children | Alec McIntyre | Contract role |
| 2002 | A Wedding Story: Josh and Reva | Phillip Spaulding | Uncredited |
| 2008 | Life on Mars | Soap Opera Doctor | Episode: "Tuesday's Dead" |
Web series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2017 | Tainted Dreams | Adam Clark | 12 episodes |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Guiding Light | Nominated | [18] |
| 1999 | Soap Opera Digest Award | Favorite New Couple (Phillip and Harley) | Guiding Light | Won
(Shared withBeth Ehlers) |
[3] |
| 2003 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Guiding Light | Nominated | [19] |
| 2004 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Guiding Light | Nominated | [20] |
| 2005 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Guiding Light | Nominated | [21] |
References
edit- ^abCollymore, Terrie (August 30, 1994). "Aleksander the Great".Soap Opera Digest.19(18).
- ^abcdeO'Neil, Jerry (November 2, 1993). "Nothing for Granted".Soap Opera Weekly.4(44).
- ^abcde"About the Actors: Grant Aleksander".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon December 11, 2023.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^Rout, Nancy E.; Buckley, Ellen (1992).The Soap Opera Book: Who's Who in Daytime Drama.Todd Publications. p. 2.ISBN978-0-915344-23-9.
- ^Newcomb, Roger (May 25, 2012)."Grant Aleksander Graduates From Washington and Lee University".We Love Soaps.Archived fromthe originalon April 22, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"Aleksander, Grant 1959 -".Encyclopedia.Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2023.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"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.Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^ab"Good Night, and Good Luck".Soap Opera Digest.October 11, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2019.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^abKroll, Dan J. (November 11, 2008)."Grant Aleksander to return to Guiding Light".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon November 27, 2022.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^Eisner, Ken (June 30, 2006)."The Big, Bad Swim".Variety.Archived fromthe originalon August 7, 2023.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"Former Guiding Light Star Grant Aleksander Hits Primetime".Soaps.November 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"Grant Aleksander Joins Tainted Dreams".Soap Opera Digest.June 13, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences".Washington & Lee.Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"Guiding Light Fave Hits the Stage".Soap Opera Digest.June 17, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^Wild, Stephi (May 2, 2019)."Guiding Light Stars Join Cast Of Perfect Crime To Celebrate Its 33rd Year".Broadway World.Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"Daytime Emmy Nominations".The Spokesman-Review.March 13, 1998. Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie (March 12, 2003)."Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced".CBS News.Archived fromthe originalon December 31, 2023.RetrievedMay 23,2024.
- ^31st Daytime Emmy Nominees - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama SeriesArchived2012-05-16 at theWayback Machine
- ^32nd Daytime Emmy Nominees - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama SeriesArchived2012-01-20 at theWayback Machine
