Grant Aleksander
{{Short description|American actor (born 1960)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Grant Aleksander
| birthname = Grant Aleksander Kunkowski
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|08|6}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| alma_mater = Washington and Lee University
| occupation = Actor
| yearsactive = 1982–present
| spouse = Sherry Ramsey (m.1987)
}}
Grant Aleksander (born Grant Aleksander Kunkowski; August 6, 1960) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Phillip Spaulding on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light, off and on from 1982 until the show's cancellation in 2009. He received a Soap Opera Digest Award and four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his role on Guiding Light.
Early life
Aleksander was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Timonium.{{Cite journal |last=O'Neil |first=Jerry |date=November 2, 1993 |title=Nothing for Granted |journal=Soap Opera Weekly |volume=4 |issue=44}} He is the youngest of three sons.{{Cite journal |last=Collymore |first=Terrie |date=August 30, 1994 |title=Aleksander the Great |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=19 |issue=18}} He attended McDonogh School, where he played football. He became interested in acting after a drama teacher encouraged him to try out for a school play.{{Cite web |title=About the Actors: Grant Aleksander |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/aleksander_grant.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211001550/https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/aleksander_grant.php |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} After high school, he enrolled at Washington and Lee University, where he starred in productions of The Owl and the Pussycat, The Glass Menagerie, The Crucible, and Hamlet. He also appeared on stage in Baltimore, starring in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He left Washington and Lee to study at New York University and the Circle in the Square Theatre.{{Cite book |last1=Rout |first1=Nancy E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yzQlimPTTEMC |title=The Soap Opera Book: Who's Who in Daytime Drama |last2=Buckley |first2=Ellen |publisher=Todd Publications |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-915344-23-9 |pages=2}} He eventually returned to Washington and Lee, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Newcomb |first=Roger |date=May 25, 2012 |title=Grant Aleksander Graduates From Washington and Lee University |url=https://www.welovesoaps.net/2012/05/grant-aleksander-graduates-from.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422033800/https://www.welovesoaps.net/2012/05/grant-aleksander-graduates-from.html |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=We Love Soaps}}
Career
After moving to New York, Aleksander worked as a waiter and tried modeling. He appeared in an ABC Afterschool Special, A Very Delicate Matter, in 1982. He landed his big break when he was cast as Phillip Spaulding on Guiding Light. He initially played the role from 1982 to 1984, before leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Aleksander landed guest starring roles on Hardcastle and McCormick, Who's the Boss?, and The Fall Guy. He appeared in the TV movie Dark Mansions and the film Tough Guys. Returning to soaps, he had a brief stint as DJ Phillips on Capitol in 1986.{{Cite web |title=Aleksander, Grant 1959 - |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/aleksander-grant-1959 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408234847/https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/aleksander-grant-1959 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Encyclopedia}}
He returned to Guiding Light as Phillip Spaulding in 1986 and stayed until early 1991.{{Cite journal |date=February 19, 1991 |title=Guiding Light's Beth and Phillip Wed on Valentine's Day...and Wave Goodbye |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=33, 42}} 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. In 1993, Aleksander joined the cast of the ABC Daytime soap opera All My Children as Alec McIntyre.{{Cite journal |date=July 20, 1993 |title=Late Breaking News: Aleksander Signs with AMC |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=18 |issue=15 |pages=4}} He stayed with AMC until 1996.
Aleksander returned to Guiding Light in 1996 and continued playing the role of Phillip until 2004, when he was abruptly dismissed from the show.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=September 4, 2004 |title=Lights out for GL's Grant Aleksander |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/guiding-light/news/2004/0906-aleksander.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514212020/https://www.soapcentral.com/guiding-light/news/2004/0906-aleksander.php |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} 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.{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2006 |title=Good Night, and Good Luck |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/good-night-and-good-luck-0/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725232438/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/good-night-and-good-luck-0/ |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=November 11, 2008 |title=Grant Aleksander to return to Guiding Light |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/guiding-light/news/2008/1110-aleksander.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127124403/https://www.soapcentral.com/guiding-light/news/2008/1110-aleksander.php |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} He stayed with Guiding Light until its final episodes in September 2009.
During his time away from Guiding Light, Aleksander directed episodes of As the World Turns. In 2006, he appeared in the film The Big Bad Swim, co-starring with Paget Brewster.{{Cite web |last=Eisner |first=Ken |date=June 30, 2006 |title=The Big, Bad Swim |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/the-big-bad-swim-1200515005/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807144525/https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/the-big-bad-swim-1200515005/ |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Variety}} He also had a role in Fields of Freedom, a historical film about the battle of Gettysburg. In 2008, he guest starred on Life on Mars, playing a soap opera doctor.{{Cite web |date=November 2008 |title=Former Guiding Light Star Grant Aleksander Hits Primetime |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/guiding-light/news/2843/former-guiding-light-star-grant-aleksander-hits-pri/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505002900/https://soaps.sheknows.com/guiding-light/news/2843/former-guiding-light-star-grant-aleksander-hits-pri/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soaps}}
Aleksander joined the cast of the web series Tainted Dreams in 2013, playing Adam Clark.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Grant Aleksander Joins Tainted Dreams |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/grant-aleksander-joins-tainted-dreams/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505004108/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/grant-aleksander-joins-tainted-dreams/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} In late 2014, he returned to Washington and Lee University as a Guest Artist in the first "Dick Sessoms Honorary Production" of George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession.{{Cite web |title=The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences |url=https://my.wlu.edu/theater-dance-and-film-studies/about-the-department/theater/the-richard-b-sessoms-fund-for-student-experiences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221214836/https://my.wlu.edu/theater-dance-and-film-studies/about-the-department/theater/the-richard-b-sessoms-fund-for-student-experiences |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Washington & Lee}} Aleksander starred in Mary, Mary at Cape May Stage in 2015.{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2015 |title=Guiding Light Fave Hits the Stage |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/guiding-light-fave-hits-stage/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505004107/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/guiding-light-fave-hits-stage/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} He also appeared Off Broadway in Perfect Crime in May and June 2019.{{Cite web |last=Wild |first=Stephi |date=May 2, 2019 |title=Guiding Light Stars Join Cast Of Perfect Crime To Celebrate Its 33rd Year |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Guiding-Light-Stars-Join-Cast-Of-Perfect-Crime-To-Celebrate-Its-33rd-Year-20190502 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505002957/https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Guiding-Light-Stars-Join-Cast-Of-Perfect-Crime-To-Celebrate-Its-33rd-Year-20190502 |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Broadway World}}
Personal life
Aleksander met his wife, attorney Sherry Ramsey, when they were cast in a play together as students at Washington and Lee University. They were married on September 19, 1987.
Aleksander and his wife have rescued many animals and are supporters of PETA.
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 1986
|Bartender at Mickey's | |
| rowspan="2"|2006
|Paul Pierson | |
| Fields of Freedom
| | |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 1982
|Larry Milligan |Episode: "A Very Delicate Matter" |
| 1982–2009
|Phillip Spaulding |Contract role |
| rowspan="2"|1985
|Guss McGee |Episode: "Hunk of the Month" |
| Hardcastle and McCormick
|Biff Anderson |Episode: "Mirage a Trois" |
| rowspan="4"|1986
|Cliff |Episode: "Beach Blanket Bounty" |
| You Again?
|Waiter |Episode: "Uncle Randy" |
| Dark Mansions
|Nicholas Drake |Television film |
| Capitol
|D.J. Phillips | |
| 1993–1996
|Alec McIntyre |Contract role |
| 2002
|A Wedding Story: Josh and Reva |Phillip Spaulding |Uncredited |
| 2008
|Soap Opera Doctor |Episode: "Tuesday's Dead" |
= Web series =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 2014-2017
|Adam Clark |12 episodes |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Title !Result !Ref. |
| 1998
|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series |{{Nom}} |
| 1999
|Favorite New Couple (Phillip and Harley) |{{Won}} (Shared with Beth Ehlers) |
| 2003
|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series |{{Nom}} |
| 2004
|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series |{{Nom}} |
| 2005
|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series |{{Nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0017875}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|Maryland|Film|Television}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Aleksander, Grant}}
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male soap opera actors
Category:Washington and Lee University alumni
Category:Male actors from Baltimore
Category:American male stage actors
Category:20th-century American male actors