Nancy Lee Grahn (born April 28, 1956) is an American actress known primarily for her work in daytime soap operas, portraying Beverly Wilkes on One Life to Live from 1978 to 1982, Julia Wainwright Capwell on Santa Barbara from 1985 to 1993 and Alexis Davis on General Hospital since 1996.
Early life and career
Grahn was born in Evanston, Illinois, to a Jewish mother, Barbara Edna Ascher, and a Lutheran father, Robert Donald Grahn. Her parents were both involved with their local community theater in Skokie. Grahn's first stage appearance was as a pony in a community production of Oklahoma!
Grahn subsequently went to New York City, where she studied acting with noted drama teachers Sandy Meisner and Bill Epsen. Julia was a departure from the traditional "damsel in distress" or vixen roles; she was an intelligent, uncompromising woman. Julia was paired with Mason Capwell, and the two had a Tracy/Hepburn-esque romance. Offscreen, Grahn was briefly involved with Mason's portrayer, actor Lane Davies; conflict over their storylines eventually led to Davies' departure from the series. Grahn's performance garnered her a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1989, In July 2010, Grahn re-signed with General Hospital for another four years on the show.
Political views
A liberal, Grahn is outspoken in political matters. In 2000, she organized a television conference for fellow Democratic daytime stars titled "Daytime for Gore/Lieberman". The event was held at the home of Gary Tomlin, director of NBC's Passions, and in attendance were Sharon Davis, wife of then-California Governor Gray Davis, and Kristin Gore, daughter of then-Vice President Al Gore. During the 2008 presidential election, she hosted an online chat along with fellow daytime actors to discuss the election with fans.
Grahn is an active proponent of reproductive rights. She created "Daytime for Choice" Grahn is also a supporter of LGBT rights and has participated in the NOH8 Campaign.
Personal life
Grahn is a single mother to one daughter, Katherine Grace, known as Kate, born on February 24, 1998, who studies music at the University of Southern California (USC).
In December 2019, Grahn announced her engagement to guitarist Richard Smith of Eugene, Oregon, who is a professor at the Thornton School of Music at USC in LA. Grahn has two sisters, Wendy Grahn and Suzi Gantz of Illinois.
She is also involved in various charities, including Meals on Wheels.
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| General Hospital
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| General Hospital
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| General Hospital
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| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
| General Hospital
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| General Hospital
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| Favorite New Couple
| General Hospital
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| Daytime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Special Class Special
| SOAPnet Reveals <br> ABC Soap Secrets
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| General Hospital
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| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
| General Hospital
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| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
| General Hospital
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| Daytime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
| General Hospital
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| Daytime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
| General Hospital
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| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
| General Hospital
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See also
- List of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign people
References
External links
- Official website