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Mark Alexander Knox (born April 15, 1970), better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer. He began his career while appearing on numerous of television sitcoms before portraying single father Flex Washington on the UPN sitcom One on One (2001–2006). Alexander also had a number of roles in many films including Modern Vampires (1998), The Force (1999), Out Cold (2001), Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs (2002), Gas (2004), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and Trigger (2020).

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 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. Alexander also was a regular cast member of the sketch comedy show Uptown Comedy Club from 1992 to 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. 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. 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).

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 Flexter Alexander "Flex" Barnes Washington on the UPN sitcom One on One, a series he created and produced. 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, which garnered him another NAACP Image Award nomination. He refused to play Jackson with prosthetics, but did mimic his voice, copied mannerisms and had a makeup job done to lighten his skin tone. He also refused to "cast judgement" over the singer's legal troubles of the time and said "we should pray for him". 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.

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. Flex and his wife, Shanice, will have their own reality show Flex & Shanice premiering November 1, 2014, on OWN.

In 2022, Flex was cast as "Pookie" in the stage adaptation of New Jack City: Live on Stage, written, produced and directed by urban playwright and film producer Je'Caryous Johnson. The production is currently on tour in nine cities.

Personal life

Alexander, a born-again Christian, married R&B singer Shanice Wilson on February 19, 2000. They have two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Knox (born August 23, 2001) and son Elijah Alexander Knox (born March 5, 2004). Alexander is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music Videos

Award nominations

References

1. ^ Dougherty, Steve (2003-10-06). "Flex Appeal". People. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
2. "Flex Alexander: Biography". tvguide.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
3. McKissack, Fredrick L. Jr. (February 1997). "Homeboys in Outer Space". The Progressive. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
4. Tucker, Ken (1996-09-13). "Beyond the Big 4". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
5. ^ "Flex Alexander Biography". filmreference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
6. "Yahoo! TV Bio". tv.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
7. Morales, Tatiana (2004-08-06). "Flex Alexander Plays King Of Pop". cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
8. "Jacko's Wacko Movie". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 8, 2004. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
9. Alexander, Flex (2006-08-16). "Snakes on a Plane". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
10. "Celebrities and Their Babies". Ebony. 58 (2). Johnson Publishing Company: 42. December 2002. ISSN 0012-9011.
11. "Ebony On the Scene". Ebony. 60 (3). Johnson Publishing Company: 18. January 2005. ISSN 0012-9011.

External links

• Flex Alexander at IMDb
• Flex Alexander at AllMovie

• 1970 births
• Living people
• Male actors from Manhattan
• African-American Christians
• American choreographers
• American male comedians
• American male dancers
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• Television producers from New York City
• Comedians from Manhattan
• 21st-century American comedians
• 21st-century African-American male actors
• 21st-century American male actors
• 20th-century African-American male actors
• 20th-century American male actors
• African-American male comedians
• African-American comedians
• African-American male dancers