ACTOR'S STUDIO: Sasha Alexander


The Former Ice Skater Defrosts Onscreen in Romantic Drama "All Over the Guy"
By Jordan Reed

B If not for an injury, actress Sasha Alexander likely would have performed triple lutzes for nitpicky international ice-skating judges at the 1988 Olympic Games. The Malibu native began her training at just four years old and lasted until her knee gave out at 14. But the now 27-year-old sheds no tears for flag-waving glories lost. "It would have been a great experience," she says. "But I believe life takes us where we need to be."

It was Alexander's dance experience that took her to her first showbiz gigs. Along with stage acting in her early teens, she boogied in Janet Jackson and Debbie Gibson videos and even signed up to be in a sugary pop group dubbed Everything Nice. The all-girl quintet honed their act in local L.A. clubs, but after five years Alexander grew impatient -- and grew up. "We were like five Britney Spearses," she says. "I wanted to go to college and move on."

She didn't move too far, attending USC film school to learn more about working behind the camera. After graduation, a more experienced Alexander collaborated on numerous projects, one of which -- "Battle of the Sexes" -- played at Sundance.

She subsequently snagged a small part in Michael Polish's "Twin Falls, Idaho," followed by an ensemble role in the short-lived TV drama "Wasteland." In between that and her current gig on "Dawson's Creek," she spent four weeks shooting "All Over the Guy" for director Julie Davis, a role that calls for some romantic interaction with co-star Adam Goldberg ("Saving Private Ryan"), which the married Alexander puts into perspective.

"My husband's a director, so he understands what I do," she says. "Does he like me making out with my handsome co-stars? Absolutely not, but he's okay with it." And according to her, the on-screen relationship with Goldberg came naturally. "He's such a great actor -- creating years of chemistry with him wasn't hard."

In addition to "All Over the Guy" and "Dawson's Creek," Alexander recently shot another TV pilot based on the comic book series "Ball and Chain." But she doesn't mind the small screen, so long as the project interests her. "I just don't want to end up on something that bores the hell out of me," she says. "Otherwise I'll fake a knee injury and get out of there."

"All Over the Guy." Starring Dan Bucatinsky, Richard Ruccolo, Adam Goldberg and Sasha Alexander. Directed by Julie Davis. Written by Dan Bucatinsky. Produced by Dan Bucatinsky, Susan Dietz, Donnie Land and Juan A. Mas. A Lion's Gate Films release. Romantic comedy. Not yet rated. Opens 8/3 NY/LA/SF, 8/17 exp

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