Jennifer Beals (born December 19, 1963) is an American actress.

Beals is a former teen model who is probably better known for her role as Alex in the 1983 movie Flashdance. Flashdance made Beals a Hollywood star and made her a household name.

Her career was affected by scandal shortly after, however, when it was revealed that some of the scenes in that movie where athletics were required were actually performed not by Beals herself, but by double Marine Jahan .

Beals has since starred in a list of lesser-known films and independent projects. She has participated in a little more than 50 movies. Beals also stars in Showtime Network 's The L Word.

Jennifer Beals is biracial, with an African-American father (deceased since she was 10) and an Irish mother. She is a graduate of the Francis W. Parker School and Yale University.

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Jennifer Beals is a close friend of Quentin Tarantino; Quentin often stayed at Beals's Home while struggling as an aspiring director before Pulp Fiction was made.