Sasha Alexander

Actress Sasha Alexander has been drawn to portraying intense, strong-willed characters who also embraced their femininity. She has made her mark on both the small and big screens with multifaceted roles like a stressed-out New York publicist on the post-collegiate drama, "Wasteland" (ABC, 1999), a small-town heartbreaker on the hit series, "Dawson's Creek" (WB, 1998-2003), and a tough-as-nails agent on "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" (CBS, 2003- ).

Alexander also flexed her comedic muscles on sitcoms like "Friends" (NBC, 1994-2004) and on the big screen in the romantic comedy, "He's Just Not That Into You" (2009). But it was her turn as a meticulous and impeccably dressed medical examiner on the cop drama, "Rizzoli & Isles" (TNT, 2010-16), that finally aimed the spotlight squarely on Alexander, and showcased how versatile and seasoned of a performer she really was.

Suzana Drobnjakovic was born on May 17, 1973 in Los Angeles. She started performing in seventh grade when she scored the lead female role in a school production of "Baby." Alexander continued acting in high school plays, and during college, she moved to New York to act in summer stock and Shakespeare festivals. Shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California's film school, Alexander padded her résumé with appearances in a number of independent films before landing a lead role on the ABC drama, "Wasteland," about a group of twenty-somethings navigating life after college.

While the series only aired 13 episodes, Alexander's portrayal of an overworked publicist obsessed with the dating scene in New York City helped her land a recurring part on the popular series, "Dawson's Creek," an intelligent coming-of-age depiction of adolescents living in a small New England community. She played Gretchen Witter, the vixen-in-training sister of the sarcastic Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson). The series revolved around the dizzying hook-ups and breakups involving Pacey and his circle of friends, played by the eternally optimistic Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), girl-next-door Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), and wild child Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams).

Alexander landed guest spots on a number of shows including "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS, 2000-15) and on the hit NBC comedy, "Friends," as a soap opera writer who interviews Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc). The talented actress tackled a more physically demanding role on the drama series "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service," as a special agent who investigates Navy crimes.

Her character's unexpected death at the end of the second season shocked the show's fans for it was uncommon at the time for TV dramas to kill off their main characters. After she left the series, Alexander landed minor parts in big-budget films like "Mission: Impossible III" (2006) starring Tom Cruise, "Yes Man" (2008) opposite Jim Carrey, and in the ensemble comedy, "He's Just Not That Into You," featuring Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, and Drew Barrymore.

In 2010, she guest starred on the drama series, "House M.D." (Fox, 2004-12) as the sexy new neighbor of doctors Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) who mistakenly thinks that the housemates are dating. That same year, Alexander impressed as Dr. Maura Isles, an eccentric medical examiner, on the crime drama, "Rizzoli & Isles."

Based on characters created by best-selling author Tess Gerritsen, the series also starred Angie Harmon as Jane Rizzoli, a no-nonsense Boston police detective who juggles her professional life along with her overbearing family. While the two women play best friends on the show, their personalities were polar opposites. As the only female detective in her division, Rizzoli was tough and practical, with a sensible wardrobe to match. As analytical as she was in the lab, Isles was surprisingly ultra-feminine, stylish, and had no qualms wearing designer heels even to a crime scene.

On the job, Rizzoli trusted her instincts while Isles relied on science. Alexander's performance on the show resonated with viewers and critics alike, and finally elevated the actress into "household name" status.​