The L Word

Background:

“People have this perception of a gay lifestyle, that it's so different when really it's exactly the same, problems at work, problems at home, jealousy. It runs the gamut but I think maybe that's why this show is a hit. People identify with it regardless.” Leisha Hailey on “The L Word”

American actress and musician Leisha Hailey is best known to TV audiences as Alice Pieszeck on Showtime's hit drama “The L Word” (2004-present). She is also memorable for playing the lesbian punk rocker on the critically-praised independent movie “All Over Me” (1997) and has appeared as a guest star in TV shows like “Grey's Anatomy” and “CSI.” In the music industry, she enjoyed some success during the 1990s as a member of the now-defunct pop/punk duo Gush (formerly The Murmurs), along with former classmate Heather Grody. They were signed with MCA Records and released several albums, most notably “Blender” (1998). She now sings and plays the guitar for the Los Angeles based group Uh Huh Her, which she founded in 2006 with Camila Grey. Hailey is also the owner of Marfa Records.

“The more people are out the easier it is for everyone else. I was never in the closet and once I told my parents about it and they were amazing, I never had anyone to keep it from.” Leisha Hailey.

In the early 1990s, 5' 6” Hailey was romantically linked to singer K.D. Lang, who produced some songs for her album “Blender” and considered Hailey as the inspiration for her album “Invincible Summer” (2000). After they broke up, Hailey began a new relationship with Nina Garduno.

Graduate of AADA

Childhood and Family:

Leisha Hailey was born on July 11, 1971, in Okinawa, Japan, to American parents. She was raised in Bellevue, Nebraska. After graduating from Bellevue West High School in Nebraska, she moved to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated in 1991. While there, she met her music partner, Heather Grody.

Blender

Career:

Leisha Hailey received a bit of early stage experience playing a leading role in a high school production of “Oliver” while in Nebraska. After relocating to New York, she formed a pop duo called The Murmurs with Heather Grody. They performed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the East Village before moving to Los Angeles. In 1992, they released an independent debut album titled “Who are We?” After signing with MCA/Universal Records, they released a self titled album in 1994 that consisted of such songs as “You Suck,” “Bad Mood” and “Mission.”

Hailey and The Murmurs released their next albums, “White Rabbit” and “Pristine Smut,” in 1995 and 1997, respectively. However, they did not enjoy a real break until their 1998 album “Blender.” In the album, they collaborated with several musicians, including K.D. Lang, Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin from the The Go-Go's, as well as the renowned British production team Lupino and Franglen. The following year, they hit the road as part of Sarah McLachlan's “Lilith Fair” tour.

Hailey also took on some acting gigs. She made her TV debut as a guest star in the comedy series “Boy Meets World” (1996), playing Corinna. Her first major role arrived the next year when she was cast as Lucy in the critically acclaimed Lesbian themed film “All Over Me,” in which she costarred with Alison Folland, Tara Subkoff, Cole Hauser and Wilson Cruz. The Alex Sichel directed film collected several honors on the festival circuit. Hailey also appeared in the comedy “Some Girl” (1998) and the 13 minute “Sleeping Beauties” (1999).

2001 found Hailey and Grody changing the name of their group from The Murmurs to Gush. Hailey also took part in the short film “Size 'Em Up” and as Marigold in the Megan Holley-helmed independent film “The Snowflake Crusade” (2002), opposite Scot McKenzie. In 2004, Hailey won the costarring role of Alice Pieszecki in the Showtime drama “The L Word,” alongside Jennifer Beals. The series went on to become a hit.

The success, however, was not without cost. When Hailey began working in her first TV series, her long-term partnership with Grody ended when the group Gush split up. Undaunted by the experience, she established her own record label, “Marfa Records,” in 2005 and formed a new group, Uh Huh Her, the following year with bassist and keyboardist Camila Grey. They released an EP in July 2007 and their debut album, “Common Reaction,” was released in 2008.

While on hiatus from “The L Word,” Hailey executive produced “Raising Teen,” a 2005 documentary about teenagers who are raised by gay parents. She also made guest appearances in such series as “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2006), “Grey's Anatomy” and “American Dad!” (2007) and portrayed Shelly in the film “Cucina, La” (2007).

Awards:
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