Alexa Kenin

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.

Alexa Kenin
Born
Alexa Jordan Kenin

(1962-02-16)February 16, 1962
New York City, U.S.
DiedSeptember 10, 1985(1985-09-10) (aged 23)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeNew Montefiore Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress
Years active1972–1985

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. She is buried in New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.[7]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1972 The House Without a Christmas Tree Carla Mae Television film
1976–1982 ABC Afterschool Special Various roles 5 episodes
1977 Special Treat Episode: "A Piece of Cake"
1977 Off Campus Alexis Television film
1978 The Word Judy Randall Television miniseries
1979 Co-Ed Fever Mouse 6 episodes
1980 Little Darlings Dana
A Perfect Match Angel Television film
1981 Word of Honor Beverly Television film
Too Close for Comfort Ethel Kadinsky Episode: "Who's Sara Now?"
1982 A Piano for Mrs. Cimino Karen Cimino Television film
The Facts of Life Jesse Episode: "New York, New York"
Gimme a Break! C.C. Episode: "Hot Muffins"
Honkytonk Man Marlene
1983 The Mississippi Francie Episode: "Edge of the River"
Princess Daisy Kiki Kavanaugh Television miniseries
1986 Pretty in Pink Jena Hoeman Released posthumously
1989 Animal Behavior Sheila Sandusky

References
  1. Young, Sandra (May 5, 1980). "Tiger's Beat: Alexa Kenin Comments on 'Little Darlings". Daily World. p. 7. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  2. von Maurer, Bill (December 19, 1980). "Stars make 'Pictures' good theater". The Miami News. p. 12D. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  3. "Alexa Kenin". The New York Times. September 12, 1985. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  4. Kleiner, Dick (May 2, 1980). "Alexa Kenin Talented Girl". Waycross Journal-Herald. pp. P–17. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  5. Ross, Dalton (January 24, 2005). "One-Show Wonders". ew.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  6. Mackie, Drew (February 24, 2016). "30 Things You Might Not Know About Pretty in Pink, 30 Years Later". People. people.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  7. Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons (3 ed.). McFarland. p. 401. ISBN 978-1476625997.
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