Genuine, intelligent, and independent are just a few of the words that can describe actress Nancy Lee Grahn. The seasoned actress, who arrived at General Hospital in 1996, plays strong and savvy Alexis Davis, a brilliant attorney who is completely loyal to her family, the Cassadines, sometimes against her better judgment.

Grahn grew up in Skokie, Illinois, where her parents were choreographers for a local community theater. However, her first taste of acting occurred in a high school production of Oklahoma. With a very small part in the chorus, Grahn knew then that she would follow in her parents' footsteps. As she prepared to start her freshman year at University of Illinois, a friend suggested she audition for Guys & Dolls at the Goodman Rep Theatre, where she landed her first big break in the role of Mimi. Grahn went on to perform on stage in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Dallas Theatre Center.

After A Midsummer Night's Dream, Grahn went to New York, where she had the good fortune of studying acting with Sandy Meisner. In New York, she continued to perform in numerous plays, such as Tomorrow, Cole, Fathers Day, and Two for the Seesaw, among many others.

Grahn's television career came next with a move to Los Angeles for a change of pace. Her first television role was Beverly Wilks, Marco Dane's secretary on ABC's One Life to Live. She went on to guest-star in episodes of Moonlighting, Murder, She Wrote and Magnum P.I., to name a few. In 1989, she won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Julia Wainwright on Santa Barbara. She has most recently been seen in the recurring role of Denise Fielding on Melrose Place, Connie Dahlgren on ABC's Murder One, and as Principal Russell on 7th Heaven. Grahn has also guest-starred in Diagnosis Murder, Perry Mason and Babylon V, in addition to starring in numerous television movies.

When Grahn is not at work, she enjoys escaping to her beach house to daydream, visualize and write. "I am curious about why we do the things we do, and I've made a career trying to figure it out," explains Grahn. But if one looks at the generosity that Grahn displays to charitable and important causes, no one would even think twice about why Grahn does what she does. "I think it is important to use the soap box to do other things than promote storyline," and to that end, Grahn has turned her fan club into a community service contest, and has lobbied the support of other daytime talent to create Daytime for Choice. Grahn helped in the Clinton presidential campaign because of his enormous support for women, and she continues to give time and energy to many women's causes. She also chaired the Media Access Awards, which promote the appropriate portrayal of disability in the media.

VITAL STATISTICS

BIRTHPLACE: Evanston, IL
BIRTHDATE: April 28
HEIGHT: 5'6"
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown