Nancy Lee Grahn
Genuine, intelligent and independent are just a few of the words that can describe Daytime Emmy® Award-winning actress Nancy Lee Grahn. The seasoned actress, who arrived at “General Hospital” in 1996, plays strong and savvy Alexis Davis, a brilliant attorney with a sense of humor. In July 2001, Grahn graced the cover of the prestigious magazine “California Lawyer,” with a caption that read “Move over Ally; ‘General Hospital’s’ Alexis Davis is the best lawyer on TV.”
Grahn has won Two Daytime Emmy Awards and has received 8 nominations.
Grahn grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and makes frequent return trips to visit family members. It was in a Skokie community theater production of “Oklahoma” that she landed her first role, “the pony on the left that pulled the surrey with the fringe on top.” But as she matured, so did her roles. While attending the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, she had the great fortune to study with Sandy Meisner and Bill Epsen. She went on to land roles in productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Two for the Seesaw” and “Barefoot in the Park” at various repertory theaters including the Goodman Repertory, Dallas Theatre Center and Michigan’s Meadowbrook Theater as well as playing Beverly Wilkes on ABC’s “One Live To Live.”
After she decided to move to Los Angeles, Grahn’s television career took off. She has recurred on several shows including “Castle,” “Murder One,” “7th Heaven,” “Melrose Place,” and “Models Inc.,” and guest starred on over 25 primetime shows. It was on NBC’s internationally acclaimed Daytime Drama “Santa Barbara” that Grahn won her first Daytime Emmy. Her ten-year run as Julia Wainwright brought her not only an Emmy, but international fame as well. “Santa Barbara” was the one of the highest watched shows in over 150 countries.
Grahn wrote and produced the very well received roll out segments for the 2013 Daytime Emmys, and most recently has co-written and produced an original digital series for ABC.com called “GH NOW!” launching January 2015.
The versatile Grahn is also active politically. She was a surrogate for Clinton, Gore, Kerry and Obama as well as founder of “Daytime for Choice,” where she toured college campuses to promote Reproductive Health and Freedom. Her charities include chairing the Media Access Awards to promote portrayal of disability in the media. She also has appeared on various talk shows with her father, a recovering alcoholic, to discuss the impact of alcoholism on the family. Additionally, Grahn works closely with the Center for Judicial Excellence, and is currently on the board of the Child and Family Guidance Center, a non-profit organization to promote the health and well-being of children and families through innovative mental health services. She consistently raises money for Smile Train, Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and her father’s, Robert D. Grahn Foundation.
Grahn’s greatest accomplishment was the birth of her daughter, Katherine Grace, who she describes as “heaven on a stick.”
As a single working mother, Grahn’s life is filled to the brim. She believes her real purpose in life is to be happy — and is grateful to be just that.
