Leisha Hailey

Infobox actor
name = Leisha Hailey


imagesize =
caption =
birthdate = birth date and age|1971|7|11
birthname =
location = Okinawa, Japan
academyawards =
spouse =
record labels = Marfa Records

Leisha Hailey (born July 11, 1971) is an American actress, musician, and producer.

Early life

Born in Okinawa, Japan to American parents, Hailey grew up in Bellevue, Nebraska and attended Bellevue West High School, where she dated John Campbell, now Bellevue East forensics coach. She came out as a lesbian before moving to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she graduated in 1991.

Acting career

Hailey's first major role was in 1997's cult hit "All Over Me", and right around this time she played a struggling musician on an episode of "Boy Meets World". Since 2004 she has starred as Alice Pieszecki, a bisexual journalist, on the "The L Word". Some of her notable minor roles have been as an extra in an episode of "Ellen" and, since 2003, various Yoplait Yogurt commercials that still air as of 2008.

Partial filmography

* "Boy Meets World" (TV) (1996) as Corinna
* "All Over Me" (1996) as Lucy
* "The Snowflake Crusade" (2002) as Marigold
* "" (TV) (2006) as Allison Ludford
* "The L Word" (TV) (2004-present) as Alice Pieszecki
* "Grey's Anatomy" (TV) (2006) as Claire Solomon
* "Yoplait" Yogurt (Commercial) (2008)

Musical career

With her Academy classmate Heather Grody, she formed the pop duo The Murmurs. They enjoyed a cult following in the 1990s, released several albums and toured on the Lilith Fair. In 2001, Hailey and Grody changed their name to Gush. The band split when Leisha began working for The L Word. In 2005, Hailey founded Marfa Records [ [http://www.marfarecords.com/news.htm Marfa Records | News ] ] , the first artist being Amy Cook. Currently, Hailey is working on an album with her new band, Uh Huh Her where she is a singer and guitarist, together with friends Alicia Warrington (drums) and Camila Grey (producer, vocals, synth, bass). Warrington has since left the band, but Grey and Hailey continue to work together and released an EP entitled "I See Red" on July 24, 2007. They also released their first full length album "Common Reaction", on August 19, 2008 with Nettwerk Records / Live Nation. [ [http://www.uhhuhher.com Uh Huh Her ] ]

Personal life

Hailey dated k.d. lang for some time. As of 2006, she is dating Nina Garduno [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/fashion/30FREE.html 800 Very Unsquare Feet - New York Times ] ] . They are involved in the arts scene in Marfa, Texas.

Hailey is a soccer player, "I was a soccer star… I was a goalscorer, but then I busted my knee out and my whole career ended.'" But not a Man United fan as it has been reported, "'Yeah, I don't know where that rumour started." [ [http://www.timeout.com/london/music/features/3895.html Time Out London Interviews Star of 'The L Word', Leisha Hailey About Her Band Uh Huh Her] - Features - Gay - Time Out London]

Acclaim

In 2007, Hailey was named the sexiest woman in the AfterEllen Hot 100 list compiled by AfterEllen.com. [ [http://www.afterellen.com/blog/scribegrrrl/afterellen-aesthetic?page=14&comment=356416 The AfterEllen Aesthetic: Making our own list of hotties | AfterEllen.com ] ] She responded to topping the list with: "Wow, I don't even know what to say. I hope Angelina's not mad at me. I have to say this really makes up for the time I was on the Homecoming Court in high school with my boyfriend (yes I had one) and he won and I didn't. So thanks to everyone. I'll try and keep up my hotness." [ [http://www.afterellen.com/blog/malinda/leisha-hailey-responds-to-our-hot-100-list Leisha Hailey responds to our Hot 100 List | AfterEllen.com ] ] On April 28, 2008, Hailey was named Olivia Cruises' new spokesperson. [ [http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080428005303&newsLang=en LLeisha Hailey Is the New Face of Olivia | Olivia.com ] ]

References

External links

*
* [http://www.leishafan.net Leishafan.net]
* [http://www.afterellen.com/People/leishahailey.html Profile] at Afterellen.com