Flex Alexander

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Flex Alexander
Born
Marc Alexander Knox

(1970-04-15) April 15, 1970 (age 51)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesFlex, Marc "Flex" Knox
OccupationActor, comedian, dancer
Years active1989–present
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2000)​
Children2

Mark Alexander Knox (born April 15, 1970), better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer. Best known as Flex Washington on One on One (2001-2006).

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.

Personal life[]

Alexander, a born-again Christian, married R&B singer Shanice Wilson on February 19, 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
2020 Ballbuster Luther

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
2016 Lucifer Simon Hallbrooks Episode: Homewrecker
2018 In the Cut Mr. Mustard Episode: The Big Day
2020 Mixed-ish George 3 episodes
2020 Trigger Michael Mass TV Movie (BET+)
2021 Kenan Derek Episode: Flirting

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[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b 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. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "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. ^ Alexander, Flex (2006-08-16). "Snakes on a Plane". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  9. ^ "Celebrities and Their Babies". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 58 (2): 42. December 2002. ISSN 0012-9011.
  10. ^ "Ebony On the Scene". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 60 (3): 18. January 2005. ISSN 0012-9011.

External links[]

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