The daughter of an award-winning sports photographer, actress Alexis Iacono began her career on the stage in and around her native New York City. She made the permanent move to Los Angeles exactly two years ago and says she hasn’t looked back since. She’s has given winning performances in such films as Prescott Place, The Black Dahlia Haunting and Dead Sea, and will be seen in upcoming roles in The Ballad of Tennessee Rose, and the Caitlin Kazepis written and directed “short” (even thought its run-time is listed at 75 minutes), The Pipeline.
Alexis also has a strong dance and music background. Her bio states she was a dancer on the MTV show The Grind, and she tells me she is a skilled tap dancer and cellist, even though her cello may now be collecting dust. Oh, and if you’re a video gamer, you might recognize her voice. Above photo (taken in 2014, and not exclusively for this interview, but that’s okay) courtesy of Alexis, herself.
CHRIS: You first came to my attention while I was doing research on Sarah Nicklin for her interview here last month, and I also saw you in some cast photos from The Black Dahlia Haunting. What was it like for you making that one?
CHRIS: Yes, Elizabeth Short was the victim of one of Hollywood’s most infamous, unsolved murders. Did you do much research on her and the case when you took that role?
ALEXIS: I worked alongside a Dahlia expert and he showed me the streets where Elizabeth walked, where she lived, ate …I sat in the same bars …I didn’t read too much about her. I knew who she was immediately.
CHRIS: Any speculations or personal theories on who the murderer was?
ALEXIS: Yes. And I was on the same radio show of the speculated murderer. We are dear friends today and I wish to respect her privacy at this time.
CHRIS: I see. So, moving on; you did Prescott Place just before Black Dahlia. Did you draw on any person or character to play Jane Prescott or to come up with the voice for Babydoll?
ALEXIS: A little of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Twilight Zone ….and a whole lot of chewing the scenery.
ALEXIS: I produced a film with my producing partners Caitlin Kazepis and Teena Pugliese called The Pipeline. A story based around the Alaskan Pipeline. Oil. I am also one of the leads alongside Caitlin, Barry Corbin from No Country For Old Men, Wes Studi from Last of the Mohicans, and Brian Howe from HBO’s The Newsroom. The Roy Rogers location was a cab scene where I go to work with the funny Mike Bray from Tenacious D, who’s also known as Sasquatch.
CHRIS: You were great in Dead Sea, as was Devanny Pinn. Do you prefer roles that are more emotionally challenging, as yours was, rather than physically challenging, as hers seemed to be?
ALEXIS: It depends where I am at creatively. I have done lots of physical roles on stage, and emotional ones on camera. My character in The Pipeline is the most mature character I have portrayed.
CHRIS: How long were you on location in Big Bear shooting Dead Sea?
ALEXIS: A long fun Jacuzzi-filled weekend …but we all worked very hard!! It was a very fast paced shoot. Very memorable.
CHRIS: Besides The Pipeline, another film you’re cast in, that’s also currently in pre-production and slated for next year, is The Ballad of Tennessee Rose. Can you tell me anything about that one and your character?
CHRIS: You have great hair. Would you say your long, dark hair is a big part of your “trademark” look?
ALEXIS: Also my jawline.
CHRIS: If you were asked to dye your hair a light color and/or cut it for a good role, would you be reluctant to?
ALEXIS: No… just the opposite. Hair has a lot to do with the performance. It strengthens the performance and the character.
CHRIS: I know your dad is a top photographer for Sports Illustrated. Has that given you the opportunity to see a lot of famous athletes in action and up close, as well?
ALEXIS: Oh YES! I was my dad’s assistant for years. At Super Bowls, boxing ringsides, football, baseball, award dinners. I had and still have a very exciting lifestyle.
CHRIS: I’m assuming you have big plans for Halloween?
ALEXIS: Believe it or not; no. Have no clue yet!
CHRIS: Well, I’m sure you won’t spend it sitting home alone ….unless you choose to. So, will you be attending any conventions or events this month where fans can see you?
ALEXIS: I will be attending The Geekie Awards this Thursday, October 15th (Tomorrow, as this goes to press!) at the Nokia Theater and I will be appearing for the Halloween Hotness event at the Roosevelt Hotel, Saturday, October 17th.
CHRIS: I usually ask this question to most of the ladies I interview, because it’s a good one and gets good responses: Do you have any hobbies, skills, or interests that most people don’t know about?
CHRIS: With that, I thank you again for taking your time to do this, Alexis. In closing, any plugs or shout-outs to anyone?
ALEXIS: Make movies people want to see and learn from, and support independent films! Please go to Facebook and check out the fan page for The Pipeline and the film’s IMDb page.
CHRIS: Oh, just one last question: I don’t get the “Turkey Leg go Ka-Boom” video. Can you briefly explain that one?
ALEXIS: Silly joke my friend Emily Leguizamo created for me.
lovely home on the North Shore of Long Island this past Summer 2014.”
Cut Suits, the music video for Mattafix’s “Big City Life,” and Horizon.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
Here is Alexis at the Geekie Awards last night!
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actress-alexis-iacono-arrives-for-the-3rd-annual-geekie-news-photo/492925446
Alexis at the Bob Thunder Internet Assassin premiere at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on Oct 27th:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/alexis-iacono-at-the-bob-thunder-internet-assassin-news-footage/494932954