Sasha Alexander: The Actress Who Can Do It All
Sasha Alexander is an American actress and television director who has appeared in various TV shows and movies, such as Rizzoli & Isles, NCIS, Shameless, and Mission: Impossible III.
She is known for her versatility and talent, as she can play different types of characters, from a forensic pathologist to a seductive professor.
She is also a producer and a writer who has created her projects, such as Lucky 13 and Amanda McKay.
In this article, we will take a closer look at her life, career, and achievements.
Early Life and Education
Sasha Alexander was born on May 17, 1973, in Los Angeles, California.
Her birth name is Suzana S. Drobnjaković, and she is of Serbian and Italian descent.
She grew up in a bilingual household, speaking both English and Serbian.
She also learned to speak Italian, French, and Spanish.
Sasha Alexander was interested in acting from a young age.
She started performing in school plays and local theater productions when she was in seventh grade.
Also, she took dance classes and competed in ice skating.
She attended the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television, where she studied directing.
She graduated with a degree in cinema and television in 1995.
Breakthrough Roles
Sasha Alexander began her professional acting career in 1997, appearing in several short films and guest-starring on TV shows such as Wasteland, Dawson’s Creek, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
She landed her first regular role on the comedy series Presidio Med in 2002, playing Dr. Jackie Collette.
However, the show was canceled after one season.
Sasha Alexander’s breakthrough role came in 2003, when she joined the cast of the popular naval crime drama NCIS.
She played Caitlin “Kate” Todd, a former Secret Service agent who became a special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
She was a main character for the first two seasons, and a recurring character for the third season.
However, she left the show in 2005, after her character was killed off by a sniper.
Sasha Alexander’s next major role was on the HBO comedy series Entourage.
She played Gretchen Berg, a movie studio executive and the love interest of Eric Murphy, one of the main characters.
She appeared in 11 episodes between 2006 and 2008.
Rizzoli & Isles and Other Projects
Sasha Alexander’s most successful and longest-running role was on the crime drama Rizzoli & Isles, which premiered in 2010.
She played Dr. Maura Isles, a brilliant medical examiner and the best friend of detective Jane Rizzoli, played by Angie Harmon.
The show was based on the novels by Tess Gerritsen, and focused on the friendship and partnership of the two female leads as they solved crimes in Boston.
The show was a hit with critics and audiences alike, and won several awards, including the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Cable TV Drama in 2016.
Sasha Alexander also directed one episode of the show in 2015 but the show ended in 2016, after seven seasons and 105 episodes.
Sasha Alexander has also appeared in several movies, such as Mission: Impossible III, He’s Just Not That Into You, Love Happens, and Yes Man.
She has also lent her voice to animated films and video games, such as Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, The Girl from Nagasaki, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
She has also starred in other TV shows, such as Shameless, Law & Order: SVU, and The Unicorn.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Sasha Alexander is married to Edoardo Ponti, a film director and the son of actress Sophia Loren.
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They tied the knot in 2007, and have two children: a daughter named Lucia Sofia, born in 2006, and a son named Leonardo Fortunato, born in 2010.
The family lives in Los Angeles, California.
Sasha Alexander is also involved in various charitable causes and organizations.
She is a supporter of the Environmental Media Association, which promotes environmental awareness and sustainability in the entertainment industry.
She is also a spokesperson for the NOH8 Campaign, which advocates for LGBTQ rights and marriage equality.
Also, she is a member of the Creative Coalition, which advocates for arts and education funding and policy.
Conclusion
Sasha Alexander is a talented and versatile actress who has proven herself in various genres and mediums.
She is best known for her role as Dr. Maura Isles on Rizzoli & Isles, but she has also starred in many other movies and TV shows.
She is also a devoted wife, mother, and philanthropist.
Indeed, she is a role model for many aspiring actors and actresses, and a star of Rizzoli & Isles and beyond.
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