Elaine Hendrix

Early life

Hendrix was born and raised in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Her father was serving in the Vietnam War at the time of her birth. Her mother named her Katherine Elaine, but most of her relatives called her by her middle name, and the practice stuck.

Career

Dancing and modeling

In her senior year of high school, Hendrix won a model search and became a professional dancer with the Gary Harrison Dance Company. She soon split her time as a professional model and dancer for such companies as Nike, Levi's, Mattel, and Sun Microsystems, and for a number of hip-hop artists including Whodini, Keith Sweat and MC Hammer.

In 1992, she moved to Los Angeles, California, and, shortly after, was hit by a car while riding her bike, ending her early career as a model and dancer.

Film and television

After recuperating from her accident, Hendrix was cast in the short-lived 1995 Get Smart series. She has also appeared on the television series Joan of Arcadia, Friends, Ellen, Charmed and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and had a recurring role in Married... with Children, User Friendly (1995) and Lez Be Friends (1997).

Films in which she appeared include Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, Superstar, Inspector Gadget 2, and What the Bleep Do We Know!?. In 2006, she also appeared in an episode of Ghost Whisperer and the movie Coffee Date. In 2018, Hendrix appeared in Christmas at Pemberley Manor, a Hallmark Channel feature TV movie.

In 2008 Hendrix appeared in two episodes of the single-season ABC Family show The Middleman as Roxy Wasserman, a succubus who works as a fashion designer. She was seen in a 2008 episode of Criminal Minds ("Normal"). In 2009 Hendrix made an appearance on the ABC show Castle and in the film Rock Slyde. [[File:Elaine Hendrix speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con International (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Hendrix at the 2015 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]

In 2011, Hendrix played Felicia in the Tribeca award-winning film Spork.

Hendrix has also appeared as Renee on 90210 in season three in "They're Playing Her Song" and "Holiday Madness". In 2014, she appeared alongside Charlie Sheen for a three-episode story arc as Warden Hartley in the FX sitcom Anger Management. She appears in the web-series Fetching, which is also a nod to her love of animals.

She also co-starred as Ava in the FX comedy series Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll with Denis Leary, Elizabeth Gillies, John Corbett, Bobby Kelly and John Ales.

On September 13, 2018, it was announced that Hendrix would appear as the recurring character Susan Andrews in the Fox series Proven Innocent.

In October 2019, Hendrix was cast as Alexis Carrington Colby for season three of The CW's Dynasty reboot series, replacing Nicollette Sheridan who left the role for personal family reasons.

She reunited with Parent Trap co-star Lindsay Lohan in the 2025 American fantasy comedy film Freakier Friday in a cameo role as Blake Kale. Of her reunion with Lohan, Hendrix told Entertainment Weekly, "I got to physically see her, and we spent a lot of time together on set, hanging out, reminiscing, and catching up. Now, we're better about staying in touch with one another".

In 2025, Hendrix was announced to be competing on season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with Alan Bersten and placed fifth in the season finale.

Stage

Hendrix starred as Lisa in the cast of the Off-Broadway play It's Just Sex at the Actors Temple Theatre in Manhattan for its June 2013 to January 2014 run.

In 2016, Hendrix reprised the role of Truvy in Steel Magnolias at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. This production was directed by four time Oscar nominee Marsha Mason, and also starred Patricia Richardson, Lucy DeVito, Jessica Walter and Susan Sullivan. On June 9, 2016, this production became the highest-grossing show in the history of the Bucks County Playhouse.

Activism

As an avid animal rights activist, Hendrix has been advocating for animals since 2006, when she also adopted a vegan lifestyle. When not filming, she travels throughout North America and works with organizations around the globe to educate, demonstrate, speak, protest, build habitats, transport and rescue. In 2012, Hendrix founded The Pet Matchmaker, an organization dedicated to celebrating and inspiring the rescue, foster and adoption of homeless pets everywhere. She serves on the board of Stray Rescue of St. Louis as well as the US chapter of No to Dog Meat.

Personal life

Hendrix's cousin is Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

References

1. "Elaine Hendrix Biography".
2. (February 5, 2020). "Photos: Knoxville actress Elaine Hendrix through the years". [[Knoxville News Sentinel]].
3. Jones, Maggie. (July 14, 2016). "Oak Ridge native, actress Elaine Hendrix relishes role on 'Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll'". Knoxville News Sentinel.
4. Rapp, Ilana. (August 13, 2013). "Stage/Film/TV Actress Elaine Hendrix Started The Pet Matchmaker - Part II".
5. (2016-07-28). "BEAUTY & THE BEAT; Actress and Activist ELAINE HENDRIX Gives A Dynamic Performance All Women Must See On FX's SEX&DRUGS&ROCK&ROLL!".
6. Guerrasio, Jason. (April 30, 2010). "Notes From Tribeca".
7. Carey, Ross. (2012-06-12). "Episode 65: Featuring Elaine Hendrix".
8. Patten, Dominic. (2018-09-13). "Danny Strong's 'Proven Innocent' Adds Elaine Hendrix To Fox Legal Drama Cast".
9. Patten, Dominic. (October 28, 2019). "''Dynasty'' Casts Elaine Hendrix as the New Alexis For CW Soap".
10. (September 3, 2025). "Elaine Hendrix on That Parent Trap Reunion with Lindsay Lohan in Freakier Friday: 'She Was All Grown Up' (Exclusive)".
11. (June 6, 2025). "Lindsay Lohan's Parent Trap reunion with Elaine Hendrix brings stars back together in Freakier Friday: 'So happy' (exclusive)".
12. "'Dancing With the Stars' reveals full season 34 cast: '90s nostalgia hits, Olympians, and more".
13. Mader, Daniel. (November 25, 2025). "Who won Dancing with the Stars in 2025? Full results, highlights from Jordan Chiles and more in Season 34 finals".
14. "Elaine Hendrix". [[Lortel Archives]].
15. "''It's Just Sex''". Lortel Archives.
16. Simoes, Monica. (May 18, 2016). "''Meet the Cast of Bucks County Playhouse's Steel Magnolias''".
17. Otten, Ted. (June 1, 2016). "''Theater: 'Steel Magnolias' at Bucks County Playhouse''".
18. (June 10, 2016). "''STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Bucks County Playhouse Breaks Box Office Records!''".
19. . (9 March 2015). ["Veg Celeb: Elaine Hendrix"](https://www.vegetariantimes.com/life-garden/veg-celeb-elaine-hendrix).
20. Young, Lindsey. (May 30, 2019). "Immersive Experience with FDNY Gives Harrison Smith Unique Perspective".
21. Elaine Hendrix's Cameo in 'Freakier Friday' Is Also a Nod to her 'Parent Trap' Role https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/elaine-hendrix-freakier-friday-cameo-parent-trap-meredith-blake-rcna223806
22. (July 6, 2015). "Entervista/Interview: Elaine Hendrix (Alex Wesker, RE Revelations 2)". Resident Evil Database.