Jennifer Sue Beals is an American actress and former model, born on 19 December 1963 in Chicago, Illinois to an Irish-American mother and African-American father. She is still perhaps best known for playing Alex Owens in the 1983 movie “Flashdance”, and Bette Porter in the 2004 series “The L Word”.
So just how rich is Jennifer Beals? According to sources, she has acquired a net worth over $6 million, as of early 2016. Her wealth has been established during her long acting and modeling career.
Jennifer Beals Net Worth $6 Million
After her father died when Beals was 10, her family moved to North Chicago where she attended the progressive Francis W. Parker School. She started to work at an ice cream store when she was 13, and in order to earn some extra money, she was also babysitting. When she turned 16 she started modeling, first for some Chicago stores and magazines, and later for various magazines in New York and Paris.
Her interest in acting was born when she was a teenager volunteering at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago as an usher, and she went on to attend the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University. During her high school days, Beals appeared in small school plays and later got an uncredited bit part in the 1980 movie “My Bodyguard”. She matriculated from high school in 1982 and the following year entered Yale University. During her freshman year she was chosen to play Alex Owens in “Flashdance”, which on release turned into a pop culture sensation, establishing the young actress in instant fame, making her a fashion icon and bringing her a nomination for a Golden Globe.
Although Beals’ net worth started to rise, she decided to return to study. In the time of her summer breaks, she starred in a gothic horror “The Bride” and she also appeared in “Faerie Tale Theatre”, an episode of “Cindarella”. She was offered several other roles, however, she decided to turn them down and focus on studying. She graduated from Yale University in 1987 with a BA in American Literature.
She went on with her modeling career, promoting a $3 million ad campaign for fashion designers Marithé and François Girbaud, and Shiseido cosmetics, steadily increasing her net worth. Beals resumed her acting career, and along with Nicolas Cage appeared in the 1989 movie “Vampire Kiss”. She starred in several movies directed by her then-husband Alexandre Rockwell, such as the 1990 “Sons”, the1992 “In the Soup” and in the film “The Four Rooms” in 1995. The same year, along with Denzel Washington, she starred in “Devil in a Blue Dress”, a thriller based on the book written by her favorite author Walter Mosley. In 2003 Beals appeared as a jury member in “Runaway Jury” and in 2006 she took the leading role in “The Grudge 2”, a sequel to the popular horror film. 2010 saw Beals in the action drama “The Book of Elli”, again with Denzel Washington. She also appeared in the 2015 movie “Fall Out”, based on the life story of the American gymnast Ariana Berlin.
Aside from being successful in the movie industry, Beals has also appeared in various television series, one of the most notable being the 2004 drama “The L Word”, about a circle of West Hollywood lesbian women. Beals’ impressive portrayal of lesbian art gallery manager Bette Porter made the actress a gay icon and a respected spokeswoman for LGBT rights, and brought her nominations for multiple NAACP Image Awards, and considerably added to her wealth. Her other notable television appearances include the series “Lie to Me’, “The Chicago Code”, “Westside” and “Proof”. In 2012 she appeared in the web series “Lauren” for YouTube channel WIGS. Beals has now appeared in more than 50 films and TV productions.
In her personal life, he actress was married to the director Alexandre Rockwell from 1986 to 1996. She then married Canadian entrepreneur Ken Dixon in 1998; the couple has one daughter together, and Beals has two stepchildren from Dixon’s previous marriage.
Beals is known as a philanthropist and a huge supporter of LGBT community and rights. Her favorite hobby is photography – her photographs have often been shown, including in many charity events. Beals is also a tri-athlete, and her other hobbies include salsa dancing, ballet and belly dancing. She is a student of many religions and practices Buddhism.
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (1983), Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film (1998), GLAAD Media Golden Gate Award (2005)
Nominations
Golden Globe
Movies
Flashdance (1983), My Bodyguard (1980), Vampire Kiss (1989), The L Word (2004)
TV Shows
"Lie to Me', "The Chicago Code", "Westside" and "Proof", "Lauren" (2012)
#
Trademark
1
Off-the-shoulder sweatshirt that she accidentally created in her movie Flashdance (1983).
[on who inspires her] My role models are Bettie Page and Mia Kirshner (co-star on The L Word (2004)). Every day when Mia comes to work she raises the bar for us all.
2
I'm always shocked that gay marriage is such a big deal. You have to realize how precious human life is, when there are tsunamis and mudslides, when there are armies and terrorists - at any moment, you could be gone, and potentially in the most brutal fashion. And then you have to realize that love is truly one of the most extraordinary things you can experience in your life. To begrudge someone else their love of another person because of gender seems to be absolutely absurd. It's based in fear, fear of the other, fear of what is not like you. But when you are able to see lives on a day-to-day basis, rather than reducing it to politics, then it humanizes a whole community of people that were otherwise invisible.
3
It's been perfect. I can still ride a subway and work with great people. I can't imagine being Julia Roberts. I don't have the fortitude to withstand that kind of attention.
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Fact
1
Is trained in Kung Fu San-Soo & Kickboxing.
2
Was considered for the role of Catwoman/Selina Kyle in Batman Returns (1992).
On February 1, 2010, in cooperation with Eastman Kodak and Color Centric, she released her photographic journal. A book containing over 250 photographs. Additionally, the book also contained call sheets, production notes and intimate interviews with the cast. Jennifer wanted to share the behind the scenes photos she had taken over her six years on the show portraying the dynamic and alpha Bette Porter with both the cast and fans (that supported the show around the world).
Thieves took nearly $1,000 from her hotel room while she was on location in Manila, Philippines, shooting the movie Tinikling ou 'La madonne et le dragon' (1990) (aka "Madonna and the Dragon"), in 1989.
14
Close friends with Quentin Tarantino. He often stayed at her home while struggling as a director before making Pulp Fiction (1994).
While still a teenager, before she went into show business, she worked as a babysitter for one of her neighbors - Steve Edwards.
23
In Flashdance (1983), the birth date that she fills out on the application form is her actual birth date in real life.
24
Has two brothers and at least four half-siblings from her father's relationships with African-American women.
25
In the film The Anniversary Party (2001), Beals plays a character who takes photographs of performers which she then gives away, usually to the subjects of the photos. Beals actually does this.
In Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), she played a woman passing for white who is actually the daughter of an interracial couple. In real life, this is also Beals' racial background.
Angela (segments "The Wrong Man", "The Man from Hollywood")
The Search for One-eye Jimmy
1994
Ellen
Dead on Sight
1994
Rebecca Darcy
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
1994
Gertrude Benchley
The Thief and the Cobbler
1993
Princess YumYum (Miramax version) (voice)
Night Owl
1993
TV Movie
Julia
Le Grand Pardon II
1992
Joyce Ferranti
Indecency
1992
TV Movie
Ellie Shaw
2000 Malibu Road
1992
TV Series
Perry Quinn
Terror Stalks the Class Reunion
1992
TV Movie
Virginia
In the Soup
1992
Angelica Pena
Blood and Concrete
1991
Mona
Sons
1990
Transvestite
Tinikling ou 'La madonne et le dragon'
1990
TV Movie
Patty Meredith
Dr. M
1990
Sonja Vogler
Split Decisions
1988
Barbara Uribe
The Gamble
1988
Lady Olivia Candioni
Vampire's Kiss
1988
Rachel
The Bride
1985
Eva
Faerie Tale Theatre
1985
TV Series
Cinderella
Flashdance
1983
Alex Owens
My Bodyguard
1980
Clifford's Friend (uncredited)
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Manhattan Night
2016
co-producer
Laughs Unlimited
2013
TV Movie executive producer
Cinemanovels
2013
executive producer
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
They Shoot Divas, Don't They?
2002
TV Movie performer: "Slow Burn", "I Can See Through You", "When I'm in Your Hands"
Blood and Concrete
1991
performer: "One Girl in a Million"
That's Dancing!
1985
Documentary performer: "Flashdance. . .What A Feeling"
Camera Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Freedom Park
2001
Short still photographer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Moving Malcolm
2003
thanks
The Anniversary Party
2001
acknowledgment: prop photos by
Poetry, Passion, the Postman: The Poetic Return of Pablo Neruda
1996
TV Movie documentary thanks
Pulp Fiction
1994
special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Untitled Victor Skrebneski Documentary
Documentary filming
Herself
Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf
2017
TV Series
Herself
Quotidien
2017
TV Series
Herself
The View
2008-2017
TV Series
Herself - Guest / Herself
The Chew
2017
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Today
2016-2017
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Guest
The Meredith Vieira Show
2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Talk
2011-2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Sidewalks Entertainment
2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Off Camera with Sam Jones
2015
TV Series
Herself
Katie
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
A Fuller Life
2013
Documentary
Herself - Reader (segment "Crime Reporter")
Huffpost Live
2012
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
Rachael Ray
2011
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Hour
2011
TV Series
Herself
The Marilyn Denis Show
2011
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Chelsea Lately
2011
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2005-2011
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Tavis Smiley
2011
TV Series
Herself - Guest
77th McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade
2010
TV Movie
Herself
The Book of Eli: Eli's Journey
2010
Video short
Herself
Starz Inside: Fashion in Film
2008
TV Movie documentary
Herself
2008 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
2008
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for a Series / Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special / Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for VMC Programming and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Sexo en serie
2008
TV Movie documentary
Herself
19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
2008
TV Special
Herself
Eigo de shabera-night
2008
TV Series
Herself
The Grudge 2: Ready When You Are Mr Shimizu
2007
Video documentary short
Herself
The Sharon Osbourne Show
2004
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Live with Kelly and Ryan
2004
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Daily Show
2000-2004
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Exploring the Scene: Hackman & Hoffman Together
2004
Video documentary short
Herself
The Ensemble: Acting
2004
Video short
Herself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2004
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Charlie Rose
2004
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards
2003
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Hollywood Celebrates Denzel Washington: An American Cinematheque Tribute
2003
TV Special documentary
Herself
Gala Paramount Pictures Celebrates 90th Anniversary with 90 Stars for 90 Years
2002
TV Movie
Herself
Dinner for Five
2002
TV Series
Herself - Special Guest
Seitenblicke
2002
TV Series documentary
Herself
Hollywood Goes to Hell
2000
TV Short documentary
Herself
VH-1 Where Are They Now?
2000
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Directors
1997
TV Series documentary
Herself
Poetry, Passion, the Postman: The Poetic Return of Pablo Neruda
1996
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Host
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1995
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Late Show with David Letterman
1995
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Caro diario
1993
Herself
Días de cine
1992
TV Series
Herself - Interviewee
The Word
1990
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation
1988
TV Special documentary
Herself
The 57th Annual Academy Awards
1985
TV Special documentary
Herself - Presenter: Best Costume Design
The 56th Annual Academy Awards
1984
TV Special documentary
Herself - Co-Presenter: Best Original Score
The 41st Annual Golden Globe Awards
1984
TV Special
Herself - Nominee
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Marilyn Denis Show
2011
TV Series
Herself
Lie to Me Season 1: The Truth About 'Lie to Me'
2009
Video short
A.U.S.A. Zoe Landau
Cámara negra. Teatro Victoria Eugenia
2007
TV Short documentary
Herself
Retrosexual: The 80's
2004
TV Mini-Series documentary
VH1 Goes Inside
2004
TV Series documentary
Alex Owens
Marithé + François = Girbaud
2016
Documentary
Herself - American actress
Extra
2016
TV Series
Herself
Tellement Gay! Homosexualité et pop culture
2015
TV Mini-Series documentary
Bette Porter
Welcome to the Basement
2014
TV Series
Alex Owens
Tu cara me suena - Argentina
2014
TV Series
Alex Owens
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2005
Golden Gate Award
GLAAD Media Awards
1999
Maverick Tribute Award
Cinequest San Jose Film Festival
1998
Golden Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television
The Twilight of the Golds (1996)
1985
Bravo Otto Germany
Bravo Otto
Best Actress (Schauspielerin)
1984
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture
Flashdance (1983)
1983
Jupiter Award
Jupiter Award
Best International Actress
1983
Bravo Otto Germany
Bravo Otto
Best Actress (Schauspielerin)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
BTVA Anime Dub Movies/Special Voice Acting Award
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Feature Film/Special
UFO gakuen no himitsu (2015)
2016
Canadian Screen Award
Canadian Screen Awards, CA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series
A Wife's Nightmare (2014)
2008
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
The L Word (2004)
2007
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
The L Word (2004)
2007
Vision Award
NAMIC Vision Awards
Best Actress - Drama
The L Word (2004)
2005
Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Series, Drama
The L Word (2004)
2001
Video Premiere Award
DVD Exclusive Awards
Best Supporting Actress
Something More (1999)
2001
Golden Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television
A House Divided (2000)
1996
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
1986
Razzie Award
Razzie Awards
Worst Actress
The Bride (1985)
1984
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Flashdance (1983)
2nd Place Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1984
Bravo Otto Germany
Bravo Otto
Best Actress (Schauspielerin)
Known for movies
The L Word (2004-2009) as Bette Porter
Flashdance (1983) as Alex Owens
The Book of Eli (2010) as Claudia
Four Rooms (1995) as Angela (segments "The Wrong Man", "The Man from Ho