American actress (1962–1985)
Alexa Kenin |
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| Born | Alexa Jordan Kenin
(1962-02-16)February 16, 1962
New York City, U.S. |
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| Died | September 10, 1985(1985-09-10) (aged 23)
New York City, U.S. |
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| Resting place | New Montefiore Cemetery |
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| Nationality | American |
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| Occupation | Actress |
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| Years active | 1972–1985 |
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Alexa Jordan Kenin (February 16, 1962 – September 10, 1985) was an American actress. She is known for her supporting roles in several films released during the 1980s, including: Little Darlings (1980); Honkytonk Man (1982); and Pretty in Pink (1986), which was released after her death and dedicated to her memory.
Career
Kenin was born in New York City. Her parents divorced when she was young and her mother, actress Maya Kenin, married character actor John P. Ryan. Kenin began acting as a child and won her first professional part with a supporting role in the 1972 holiday TV special The House Without a Christmas Tree, which starred Jason Robards and Lisa Lucas.[1]
In 1977, Kenin appeared in John Guare's Landscape of the Body at The Public Theater and in the off-Broadway production of Elusive Angel. The following year she played David Janssen's daughter in the television miniseries The Word. In December 1980, she portrayed the role of "Libby" in the touring production of Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Bill Macy and Patricia Harty.[2] She also guest starred in several episodes of ABC Afterschool Special, and in the 1982 TV film A Piano for Mrs. Cimino opposite Bette Davis.[3]
At the age of 17, Kenin and her mother moved to Los Angeles after her mother divorced John Ryan. Kenin attended Beverly Hills High School while also maintaining her acting career.[4] In 1979, she was cast in the CBS sitcom Co-Ed Fever. The series was canceled after one episode.[5] The following year, she co-starred in the teen comedy Little Darlings, starring Kristy McNichol and Tatum O'Neal.
In 1982, Kenin guest-starred on episodes of The Facts of Life and Gimme a Break!. In the same year she played, in Honkytonk Man, the part of an aspiring young singer alongside Clint Eastwood as he makes his way to Nashville. One of Kenin's final roles was in the John Hughes film Pretty in Pink (1986), released after her death.[6]
Death
On September 10, 1985, at the age of 23, Kenin was found dead in her Manhattan apartment.[3] The exact cause of her death has never been made public. Kenin's death certificate noted that her death resulted from complications of asthma, but a drug overdose (heroin) seems to be the actual cause. She is buried in New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.[7]
