Flex Alexander
Mark Alexander Knox (born April 15, 1970), better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.
Flex Alexander | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marc Alexander Knox April 15, 1970 New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | Flex, Marc "Flex" Knox |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, dancer |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Born in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead. As a teen, he began dancing in New York night-clubs earning the nickname "Flex" due to his acrobatic dance skills. After being discovered by DJ Spinderella, he began touring with rap trio Salt-n-Pepa's and remained with the dance troupe for three years. In addition to dancing, Alexander also choreographed for Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah. In 1989, he made his stand-up comedy debut and eventually turned to acting, making his film debut in the 1992 film Juice.[1] Alexander also was a regular cast member of the sketch comedy show, Uptown Comedy Club, from 1992-1994.
Career
Alexander's first television role was on the short-lived 1993 ABC sitcom Where I Live, starring Doug E. Doug. Despite being critically acclaimed, the series was canceled that same year. Alexander then guest starred on episodes of Sister, Sister and The Cosby Mysteries before moving to Los Angeles in 1995 to concentrate on acting.[2] In 1996, he landed a starring role on another short-lived sitcom Homeboys in Outer Space. The series was critically panned and canceled the following year.[3][4] Later that year, Alexander co-starred in yet another short-lived series, the Steven Bochco-created Total Security. Following Total Security's run, Alexander guest starred on Brooklyn South and The Parkers, and also had roles in several films including the 1998 direct-to-video release Backroom Bodega Boyz and She's All That (1999).[5]
From 2000 to 2001, Alexander appeared as Maya Wilkes' husband Darnell during the first season of the UPN sitcom Girlfriends. He left Girlfriends to star as single father Mark "Flex" Washington on the UPN sitcom One on One, a series he created and produced.[6] For his role on the series, Alexander was nominated for three NAACP Image Awards and two BET Comedy Awards. In 2004, he portrayed Michael Jackson in the VH1 television biopic Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story,[7] which garnered him another NAACP Image Award nomination. Alexander returned to One on One for two more seasons, however, during the last season, his character was written out and reduced to a recurring role when the show's premise was rebooted.[8]
Following the end of One On One, Alexander had roles in the 2006 film Snakes on a Plane, opposite Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2007 horror film The Hills Have Eyes 2. He also had a role in Clement Virgo's Poor Boy's Game, with Danny Glover. Alexander's most recent role was in a 2007 episode of CSI: Miami.[5] Flex and his wife, Shanice, will have their own reality show Flex & Shanice premiering November 1, 2014, on OWN.
In September 19, 2005, he did return for the fifth and final season of One On One.
Personal life
Alexander, a born-again Christian, married R&B singer Shanice Wilson on Valentine's Day 2000.[1] They have two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Alexander-Knox (born August 23, 2001) and son Elijah Alexander-Knox (born March 5, 2004). Flex is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.[9][10]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Juice | Flex, The Contest Auditioner | Credited as Mark "Flex" Knox |
| 1995 | Money Train | Hood | Credited as Flex |
| 1997 | The Sixth Man | Jerrod Smith | Credited as Flex |
| City of Industry | 'A-Roc' | Credited as Flex | |
| 1998 | Backroom Bodega Boyz | Credited as Flex Direct-to-video release | |
| 1999 | She's All That | Kadeem | |
| 2001 | Out Cold | Anthony | |
| 2004 | Gas | Damien | |
| Shira: The Vampire Samurai | Willie 'Small Change Willie' | Credited as Flex Direct-to-video release | |
| 2005 | Her Minor Thing | Marty | |
| 2006 | Snakes On a Plane | Clarence 'Three G's' Dewey | |
| 2007 | Love... & Other 4 Letter Words | Arnold | |
| Poor Boy's Game | Ossie Paris | ||
| The Hills Have Eyes 2 | SGT Jeff 'Sarge' Millstone | ||
| The List | Chet | ||
| 2013 | My Sister's Wedding | Matthew | Credited as Flex |
| 2018 | Maybe I'm Fine | Jeffrey | |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Where I Live | Reggie Coltrane | Unknown episodes |
| 1994 | Sister, Sister | 'Cold Dog' | 1 episode |
| New York Undercover | 'Mecca' | 1 episode | |
| 1995 | The Cosby Mysteries | Partygoer | 1 episode |
| 1996–1997 | Homeboys in Outer Space | Tyberius Walker | 21 episodes |
| 1997 | Moesha | 'Dread' | 1 episode |
| Total Security | Neville Watson | 13 episodes | |
| Brooklyn South | Buster | 1 episode | |
| 1998 | Modern Vampires | 'Trigger' | Credited as Flex Television movie |
| Ice | Kelvin | Credited as Flex Television movie | |
| 1999 | The Force | Television movie | |
| The Apartment Complex | Television movie | ||
| Santa and Pete | Pete | Television movie | |
| 2000 | The Parkers | Andy | 1 episode |
| 2000–2001 | Girlfriends | Darnell Wilkes | 5 episodes |
| 2001–2006 | One on One | Mark 'Flex' Washington | 97 episodes Lead role (seasons 1-4), Recurring role (season 5) |
| 2004 | Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story | Michael Jackson | Television movie |
| 2005 | Cuts | 'Flex' Washington | 1 episode |
| 2007 | Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office | 'Deef' | Television movie |
| CSI: Miami | Martin Wilson | 1 episode | |
| 2010 | Blue Bloods | Detective Demarcus King | 1 episode (Pilot) |
| 2011 | It Takes Two | Mark 'Flex' Wolf | 1 episode |
| 2012 | Single Ladies | James Blackwell | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Masters of Sex | Walter | 1 episode |
| 2014–2016 | Flex & Shanice | Himself | Main cast |
| 2016 | Grandma's House | Thomas | TV Movie |
| 2018 | In the Cut | Mr. Mustard | Episode: The Big Day |
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | BET Comedy Awards | Won | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | One on One |
| 2005 | Won | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | One on One | |
| 2003 | NAACP Image Awards | Won | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | One on One |
| 2004 | Won | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | One on One | |
| 2005 | Won | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story | |
| Won | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | One on One |
References
- Dougherty, Steve (2003-10-06). "Flex Appeal". People. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- "Flex Alexander: Biography". tvguide.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- McKissack, Fredrick L. Jr. (February 1997). "Homeboys in Outer Space". The Progressive. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- Tucker, Ken (1996-09-13). "Beyond the Big 4". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- "Flex Alexander Biography". filmreference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- "Yahoo! TV Bio". tv.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- Morales, Tatiana (2004-08-06). "Flex Alexander Plays King Of Pop". cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- Alexander, Flex (2006-08-16). "Snakes on a Plane". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- "Celebrities and Their Babies". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 58 (2): 42. December 2002. ISSN 0012-9011.
- "Ebony On the Scene". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 60 (3): 18. January 2005. ISSN 0012-9011.
External links
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