Jennifer Beals

Jennifer Beals is an actress who made her film debut in "My Bodyguard" and gained recognition for her performance as Alexandra Owens in "Flashdance," earning the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. Beals attended Yale University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in American literature, having deferred a term to film "Flashdance" before returning to complete her degree.

Beals's filmography includes roles in "Vampire's Kiss," "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," "Devil in a Blue Dress," "The Last Days of Disco," "Roger Dodger," "The Book of Eli," "Before I Fall," and "Luckiest Girl Alive." She co-starred in "The Book of Eli" and appeared in "Twilight of the Golds," for which she received a Golden Satellite Award. Her independent film work includes "In the Soup," which won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Film at the Sundance Film Festival, and "Cinemanovels," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

A significant role in Beals's career is Bette Porter on "The L Word." The drama, centered on LGBTQ+ themes, aired for six seasons. For her portrayal, Beals received the GLAAD Golden Gate Award, two NAACP Image Award nominations, and a Satellite Award nomination. She reprised the role as both lead cast member and executive producer on the sequel series "The L Word: Generation Q."

On television, Beals has starred in "The Chicago Code," "Proof," "Taken," and "The Book of Boba Fett." She also recurred in the Amazon series "The Last Tycoon" as Margo Taft. Beals has been announced as a cast member in "NCIS: New York," part of the CBS crime drama franchise.

Beyond acting, Beals is involved in social causes and creative projects. She received the Human Rights Campaign's Ally for Equality Award for her support of the LGBT community. Beals and filmmaker Tom Jacobson created the concept for the novel "The Hive," a thriller addressing online shaming and internet bullying, which was named one of People Magazine's Best Books of Fall. Her work with C40 has focused on climate action and supporting young climate activists, including participation in the Women4Climate Initiative. With a career spanning more than four decades, Beals is recognized for her contributions to film, television, and advocacy.