{{Short description|American actress (1931–1975)}} {{refimprove|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Suzanne Alexander | image = Suzanne Alexander in The Public Defender (The Sapphire Mink).jpg | caption = Alexander in an episode of ''The Public Defender'' (1955) | birth_name = Gwendolyn (or Gwendolynne) Ann White | birth_date = {{birth date|1931|09|08|mf=y}} | birth_place = Toronto, Canada | death_date = {{death date and age|1975|09|21|1931|09|08|mf=y}} | death_place = San Francisco, California, U.S. | resting_place = Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1949–1975 | spouse = {{marriage|Rexford Colbert|1963|1966|end=divorced}} | children = }}
'''Suzanne Alexander''' (born '''Gwendolyn (or Gwendolynne) Ann White'''; September 8, 1931 – September 21, 1975)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brady |first1=Spence |title=Gorgeous Goldwyn Girls Greeted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/259397707/?terms=%22Suzanne%20Alexander%22%20%22Toronto%20Canada%22&match=1 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=April 5, 1956 |page=11}}{{subscription required}}</ref> was a Canadian actress and model.
==Early life== Alexander was the daughter of William James "Will" White (1887–1980) and Gwendolyn Haynes (1896–1978). Her father was a conductor and bandleader, while her mother was an actress who played Miss Canada in the film ''Victory's Call to Canada'' (1917).<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Movie Pictures to Aid Victory Loan Campaign |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/784517476/?terms=%22Gwendolyn%20Haynes%22&match=1 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=Calgary News Telegram |date=November 6, 1917 |location=Alberta, Canada |page=188|via = Newspapers.com}}</ref> She had a brother named Will J. White, who became an actor as well. After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Alexander was crowned Miss Studio City and Miss San Fernando Valley of 1949.<ref>{{cite news |title=Charming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/683959476/?terms=%22Miss%20San%20Fernando%20Valley%22&match=1 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News |date=May 5, 1949 |page=3}}</ref>
==Career== Aged 19, she starred in the stage production of ''Detective Story'' alongside Frank Fiumara on June 4, 1951, at the Ivar Theater.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mozelle |first1=Dinehart |title=Showbusiness |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/579914552/?terms=%22gwen%20white%22%20%22detective%20story%22&match=1 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=Valley Times |date=July 11, 1951 |page=3}}</ref> This followed with starring roles in ''Cat-Women of the Moon'' (1953) as Beta and ''Down Three Dark Streets'' (1954) as Brenda Ralles. She appeared in various television series including ''Crossroads'', ''Public Defender'', and ''Racket Squad''. She co-hosted ''Queen for a Day'' and ''Juke Box Jury''.<ref name="Bacon 1959">{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=James |title=TV Gal Seen, Not Heard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/329866752/?terms=%22Suzanne%20Alexander%22%20%22Queen%20for%20a%20day%22&match=1 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=Tampa Tribune |date=June 28, 1959 |page=86}}</ref> In an interview with James Bacon in 1959, Suzanne said "I've always wanted to be an actress ever since I could remember."<ref name="Bacon 1959" />
Mike Todd considered Alexander for the role of Princess Aouda in ''Around the World in 80 Days'' (1956) after seeing her dining at the Hollywood Plaza Hotel. She tested for the role on September 15, 1955, alongside Marla English, Jacqueline Park, Lisa Davis, Audrey Conti, Eugenia Paul, Joan Elan, and Eleanore Tanin. Alexander and English were then selected as the finalists for the role, and did a second screen test the following day. The role was ultimately played by Shirley MacLaine, who accepted it after having turned it down twice.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Samuel Claesson|title=Top Models|page=154|publisher=Sequoia Press|date=March 31, 2023|isbn=9798889921806}}</ref> Her test screen footage was donated to the Library of Congress by Elizabeth Taylor, where it is preserved.
==Later years== Alexander had a brief marriage with Rexford Colbert, who was the manager of the MGM Commissary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parsons |first1=Louella |title=Recluses' Story Sold |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/458196040/?terms=%22Suzanne%20Alexander%22%20%22rex%20colbert%22&match=1 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=San Francisco Examiner |date=September 17, 1963 |page=25}}</ref> Her last onscreen roles was were on episodes of ''This is the Life'' and ''Mod Squad''. She died on September 21, 1975, aged 44, in San Francisco, California. Alexander was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.<ref>Wilson, Scott. ''Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons'', 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.</ref> She was survived by her mother and brother.
==Filmography== * ''Flight Nurse'' (1953) - uncredited<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0018767/ |title=Suzanne Alexander (1931-1975) |publisher=IMDb |access-date=April 10, 2023 }}</ref> * ''Cat-Women of the Moon'' (1953) * ''Down Three Dark Streets'' (1954)<ref>{{cite web |title=Down Three Dark Streets |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51186-DOWN-THREEDARKSTREETS?sid=17883ef5-7dcd-4cf0-84c2-dec80c831612&sr=14.992811&cp=1&pos=0 |website=AFI{{!}}Catalog |access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> * ''Princess of the Nile'' (1954) * ''Daddy Long Legs'' (1955) - uncredited * ''The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing'' (1955) - uncredited * ''Solid Gold Cadillac'' (1956) - uncredited * ''The Garment Jungle'' (1957) - uncredited * ''I Married a Woman'' (1958) - uncredited
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name|0018767}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Suzanne}} Category:1931 births Category:Canadian stage actresses Category:1975 deaths Category:Actresses from Toronto Category:Canadian film actresses Category:20th-century Canadian actresses