Nancy Lee Grahn was born in Skokie, Illinois. Grahn began performing at an early age. Her first role was in the local community production of Oklahoma as “the pony on the left that pulled the surrey with the fringe on top.” Thankfully, the roles improved moving forward.
Nancy continued working in theater throughout high school and college, landing her first credited role as Mimi in Guys and Dolls at the Goodman Rep Theater in Chicago. Grahn continued her love of theater upon moving to New York. She studied under noted drama teachers Sandy Meisner and Bill Epsen.
When Grahn wasn’t on stage, she was tackling commercials and industrial films, and auditioning for her first big break. In 1980, Nancy scored the recurring role of Beverly Wilkes, Marco Dane’s secretary, on the daytime serial One Life to Live.
After the role ended in 1982, Nancy Lee Grahn made the move to Los Angeles that kicked her acting career into high gear. From 1982 to 1985, she had guest appearances on shows like The Incredible Hulk, Magnum P.I., Quincy M.E., The Phoenix, Simon to Simon, and Knight Rider.
In 1985, daytime came calling again when Nancy scored the role of Julia Wainwright on Santa Barbara which garnered her an Emmy win in 1989. She continued adding credits to her resume such as Obsessed With A Married Woman, Kids Don’t Tell, Streets of Justice, Murder She Wrote, Blacke’s Magic, The Girl That Came Between Them, Babylon 5, Model’s Inc., Robin’s Hoods, Renegade and Murder One.
Nancy signed on to play another iconic daytime role as Alexis Davis on General Hospital in 1996, earning her 7 more Emmy nominations and an Emmy statuette in 2012. Always hard-working, Grahn has done double-duty with recurring roles on Melrose Place, Port Charles, and 7th Heaven, and added guest appearances on Diagnosis Murder and Castle.
Nancy Lee Grahn resides in Los Angeles with the love of her life– her daughter Katharine Grace. She is passionate about politics and giving back. Grahn continues to rally for the underdog in many capacities. Follow the actress on Twitter, Instagram, and on her official website nancyleegrahn.com.
General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Port Charles, check out all the latest that’s been posted on General Hospital spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.
Fast Facts
- Nancy Lee Grahn was born on April 28, 1956.
- Was born the second of three daughters, to Barbara and Robert Grahn. Her sisters’ names are Suzi and Wendy.
- Nancy’s parents are choreographers.
- Went to New York and studied with Sanford Meisner.
- Landed her first credited role, as Mimi in Guys and Dolls at the Goodman Rep Theater, in the 1973–74 season.
- In 2009, Co-hostess, with Ron Cummings, of an infomercial for Ron’s “Amino Genesis” anti-aging skincare system.
- Her daughter, Katharine Grace, was named after her idol, Katharine Hepburn.
- She is left-handed.
