Alexa Kenin
Alexa Kenin | |
---|---|
Born | Alexa Jordan Kenin February 16, 1962 New York City, U.S. |
Died | September 10, 1985 New York City, U.S. | (aged 23)
Resting place | New Montefiore Cemetery |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1972–1985 |
Alexa Jordan Kenin(February 16, 1962 – September 10, 1985) was an American actress. She is known for her supporting roles in several films released during the 1980s, including:Little Darlings(1980);Honkytonk Man(1982); andPretty in Pink(1986), which was released after her death and dedicated to her memory.
Career
[edit]Kenin was born in New York City. Her parents divorced when she was young and her mother, actress Maya Kenin, married character actorJohn P. Ryan.Kenin began acting as a child and won her first professional part with a supporting role in the 1972 holiday TV specialThe House Without a Christmas Tree,which starredJason RobardsandLisa Lucas.[1]
In 1977, Kenin appeared inJohn Guare'sLandscape of the BodyatThe Public Theaterand in theoff-Broadwayproduction ofElusive Angel.The following year she playedDavid Janssen's daughter in the television miniseriesThe Word.In December 1980, she portrayed the role of "Libby" in the touring production ofNeil Simon'sI Ought to Be in Pictures,starringBill MacyandPatricia Harty.[2]She also guest starred in several episodes ofABC Afterschool Special,and in the 1982 TV filmA Piano for Mrs. CiminooppositeBette Davis.[3]
At the age of 17, Kenin and her mother moved toLos Angelesafter her mother divorced John Ryan. Kenin attendedBeverly Hills High Schoolwhile also maintaining her acting career.[4]In 1979, she was cast in theCBSsitcomCo-Ed Fever.The series was canceled after one episode.[5]The following year, she co-starred in the teen comedyLittle Darlings,starringKristy McNicholandTatum O'Neal.
In 1982, Kenin guest-starred on episodes ofThe Facts of LifeandGimme a Break!.In the same year she played, inHonkytonk Man,the part of an aspiring young singer alongsideClint Eastwoodas he makes his way toNashville.One of Kenin's final roles was in theJohn HughesfilmPretty in Pink(1986), released after her death.[6]
Death
[edit]On September 10, 1985, at the age of 23, Kenin was found dead in her Manhattan apartment.[3]She is buried inNew Montefiore CemeteryinWest Babylon, New York.[7]
Filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1972 | The House Without a Christmas Tree | Carla Mae | Television film |
1976–1982 | ABC Afterschool Special | Various roles | 5 episodes |
1977 | Special Treat | Episode: "A Piece of Cake" | |
1977 | Off Campus | Alexis | Television film |
1978 | The Word | Judy Randall | Television miniseries |
1979 | Co-Ed Fever | Mouse | 6 episodes |
1980 | Little Darlings | Dana | |
A Perfect Match | Angel | Television film | |
1981 | Word of Honor | Beverly | Television film |
Too Close for Comfort | Ethel Kadinsky | Episode: "Who's Sara Now?" | |
1982 | A Piano for Mrs. Cimino | Karen Cimino | Television film |
The Facts of Life | Jesse | Episode: "New York, New York" | |
Gimme a Break! | C.C. | Episode: "Hot Muffins" | |
Honkytonk Man | Marlene | ||
1983 | The Mississippi | Francie | Episode: "Edge of the River" |
Princess Daisy | Kiki Kavanaugh | Television miniseries | |
1986 | Pretty in Pink | Jena Hoeman | Released posthumously |
1989 | Animal Behavior | Sheila Sandusky |
References
[edit]- ^Young, Sandra (May 5, 1980)."Tiger's Beat: Alexa Kenin Comments on 'Little Darlings".Daily World.p. 7. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^von Maurer, Bill (December 19, 1980)."Stars make 'Pictures' good theater".The Miami News.p. 12D. Archived fromthe originalon February 16, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 6,2013.
- ^ab"Alexa Kenin".The New York Times.September 12, 1985.RetrievedMarch 7,2009.
- ^Kleiner, Dick (May 2, 1980)."Alexa Kenin Talented Girl".Waycross Journal-Herald.pp. P–17.RetrievedJanuary 6,2013.
- ^Ross, Dalton (January 24, 2005)."One-Show Wonders".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 27,2013.
- ^Mackie, Drew (February 24, 2016)."30 Things You Might Not Know About Pretty in Pink, 30 Years Later".People.people.com.RetrievedJanuary 15,2017.
- ^Wilson, Scott (2016).Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons(3 ed.). McFarland. p. 401.ISBN978-1476625997.