Flex Alexander is an American actor, dancer and comedian, probably best known for portraying the legendary pop icon Michael Jackson in the biographical movie “The Man In the Mirror”.
Although the actor found fame early in his career, he has since disappeared from the limelight; keep reading to find out why.
Early Life, Family, Educational Background
Mark Alexander ‘Flex’ Knox was born on 15 April 1970 under the zodiac sign of Aries, in Harlem, NewYork City USA. He is of African-American ethnicity, and holds American nationality.
His parents, Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead raised him in a rough environment; he’s said, ‘surviving a household that was drug-filled, seeing friends die, having a gun put to my head, making it through all that, and God still saw it fit for me to be here.’
Alexander discovered an interest in dancing at a young age. As a teenager, he danced in various New York clubs, and earned the nickname ‘Flex’ due to his flexibility and acrobatic skills.
While in college, Alexander was an active member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Career
Dancing Career
Flex started out in the entertainment industry as a dancer. He was discovered by DJ Spinderella, who was at the time Salt-n-Pepa’s DJ. After a series of negotiations, he eventually toured with the band for three years before leaving.
He also choreographed for Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige.
Stand Up Comedy
After his stint as a dancer, Flex focused on doing stand-up comedy for a while, mostly ‘clean’ comedy, unlike many of his comedic counterparts.
In 2017, Flex hosted “Lawd Have Mercy”, a comedy series that highlights viral videos which showcase the funny side of religion. He appeared in the show alongside Buddy Lewis, and the LHM Gospel Choir. He also hosts a podcast called “Soulaughable”.
Acting Career
Flex made his debut in the 1992 film “Juice”, playing a minor role as a contestant in a DJing contest with Q(Omar Epps). Four years after his debut, Knox landed a lead role in the short-lived American series “Homeboys in Outer Space” (1996), then the following year played Neville Watson in Steven Bochco’s “Total Security” (1997).
Other ‘90s movies which Flex appeared in are “Money Train” (1995), “The Sixth Man” (1997) and “The Apartment Complex” (1999). As Alexander’s fame grew in the film industry, he landed a role in the 2001 movie, “Out Cold”, playing the role of Anthony alongside Zach Galifianakis, A.J. Cook and Jason London.
After that, he focused on TV roles until 2004, when he was cast as Michael Jackson in the biographical film “Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story”. The film was received negatively by fans and critics alike, as they called Flex a joke. Speaking to AABC about playing Michael Jackson, he said, ‘the dancing wasn’t hard. The challenging part of the role was in being believable and not a caricature.’
Still in 2004, Flex played the role of Damien in the American comedy, “Gas”, and the following year he played Marty in the Charles Matthau-directed romantic comedy, “Her Minor Thing”.
In 2006, Flex landed a role in “Snakes On a Plane”, playing germophobic rapper Clarence ‘Three G’s’ Dewey, opposite Samuel L. Jackson. The following year he starred in Clement Virgo’s “Poor Boy’s Game” opposite Danny Glover, and then in the horror film, “The Hills Have Eyes 2” in which he portrayed Sergeant Jeff Millstone.
The next time Alexander Knox appeared in a movie was in 2013, five years after his last role. He played Matthew in “My Sister’s Wedding”, and other films he’s appeared in are “Soul Ties” (2015), “Love by the 10th Date” (2017), “Maybe I’m Fine” (2019) and “Ballbuster” (2020).
Flex made his television debut in the first season of the “Uptown Comedy Club” (1992) in which he played various characters. The following year, he starred in ABC’s “Where I Live” playing Reggie Coltrane alongside Yunoka Doyle, Shaun Baker, and Jason Bose Smith.
Between 1996 and 1997, Knox was a series regular in “Homeboys in Outer Space”.
In 2000, Flex Alexander landed a lead role as Darnell Wilkes, car mechanic and husband of Maya Denise Wilkes in “Girlfriends”. He stayed on till the end of the first season, and was succeeded in the role by actor and rapper, Khalil Kain. Flex left “Girlfriends” to join “One on One”, playing single father, Mark ‘Flex’ Washington until the show ended in 2006; this became the most popular TV role of his career so far.
Between 2007 and 2010, Flex guest-starred in two episodes of “CSI: Miami”, playing Beau Lendell and Martin Wilson, respectively. Subsequently, he took minor roles in “Blue Bloods” (2010), “Single Ladies” (2012), “The Client List” and “Masters of Sex” both in 2013.
In 2014, Flex Alexander and his wife Shanice Wilson starred in their own reality TV show, “Flex & Shanice”. It premiered on 1 November on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and aired for three seasons as part of its Saturday-night reality line-up until 2016. In the reality show, the celebrity couple covered how they dealt with career stagnancy, filed for bankruptcy in 2010, and how they bounced back.
FLex continued on to guest-star in many TV series, such as “Station 19” and “Grey’s Anatomy” in which he played Evan Forrester, both in 2018. Then he played the role of George in “Mixed-ish” (2020) and Derek in “Kenan” (2021).
Flex Alexander won two BET Comedy Awards in 2004 and 2005 for his role in “One on One”. He has also earned three NAACP Image Awards, for “One on One”, and “Man in the Mirror”.
Personal Life, Wife and Children
Flex married Grammy nominated singer Shanice Wilson on 19 February 2000. They welcomed daughter Imani Shekinah Alexander-Knox on 23 August 2001, and son Elijah Alexander-Knox on 5 March 2004.
In an interview with Page Six, Flex revealed that he stumbled upon hard times such that he and his family were kicked out of their Los Angeles home in 2010, saying ‘it was a real estate crash. Real estate was a great way to attain wealth and it was something I wanted to pass down to our kids. So I tried to hold on, but I should have just jumped ship early.’ He shared that he always gets through tough times by praying and keeping the family close.
Flex Alexander and his family live in Los Angeles, California.
Appearance, Clothing Style
Flex Alexander Knox is 6ft 3ins (1.91m) tall, and weighs around 182lbs (83kgs). He has short hair and brown eyes. He loves to wear suits for red carpet events, but T-shirts for family outings.
Hobbies, Favorite Things and Interesting Facts
- Flex Alexander’s favorite meal to cook is breakfast; a combination of French toast, eggs and turkey bacon. He also loves eating seafood and sushi.
- His all-time hero is his late grandmother, Christola Williams.
Net Worth and Salary
In late 2021, Flex’s net worth is estimated at $250,000, a substantial sum earned in the years after he bounced back from financial bankruptcy. He also owns a home with his wife in Magic Mountain, Los Angeles.
