James Alexander

James Alexander (1978-2023) was an actor, writer and producer.

Also used the stage name James Gracie on occasion.

Biography

Born James Alexander in Boksburg, Transvaal, on 8 January, 1978 to Scottish parents. Though he did not study drama formally, he was involved on some level with amateur productions from a young age. He entered the industry as a professional actor in 2001, going on to work in a range of forms in South Africa, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 2016 he and his wife, the actress Anel Alexander, left South Africa to live in Los Angeles and work in Hollywood for five years. They returned in 2022.

He had been diagnosed with cancer in January 2019, but he and his wife, actress Anel Alexander, decided to keep it private. He died on 28 April, 2023.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

On stage he has appeared in Damsels in Distress – RolePlay (), Discreet (2006), Hedda Gabler (2006), The Unexpected Guest (2007) , Doubt (as "Father Flynn", 2015).

Film/TV work includes roles in works like Discreet (2008), Leonardo (2011). Semi-Soet (2012) and Eye in the Sky (2015), Binnelanders and Houtkruis. Alexander was best known for his role as Dr Rico Maartens in the M-Net and kykNET (DStv 144) Afrikaans soap Binnelanders and also snagged the role of Tristan in M-Net's The Wild. He was the co-presenter of the M-Net reality competition show Project Fame in 2004 and appeared in SABC1's Generations, SABC2's Home Affairs and in the short films Thoughts, Lost and Voeltjie. He appeared in the third season of the American series Black Sails, Donderland, Geraamtes in die Kas, Heartlines, Madiba, Roots, The Book of Negroes, and as Lemmer in M-Net's Trackers.

As producer/writer (under the name James Alexander) involved in the film Semi-Soet