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At a Glance

Ms. Grahn grew up in Skokie, IL, and often returns to visit family members. It was in a Skokie community theater production of Oklahoma that Ms. Grahn landed her first role as "The pony on the left that pulled the surrey with the fringe on top." But as she matured, so did her roles.

While attending the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, Ms. Grahn had the great fortune to study with Sandy Meisner and Bill Epsen. She went on to land roles in productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Guys And Dolls, Two For The Seesaw and Barefoot In The Park at various repertory theaters across the country, including the Goodman Repertory theater in Chicago and Michigan's Meadowbrook theater.

After she decided to move to Los Angeles, Ms. Grahn's television career began to blossom. Her first role was that of Beverly Wilks, Marco Dane's secretary, on the daytime drama, One Life to Live. She went on to win guest-starring roles on such shows as Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Babylon V and Diagnosis Murder, among others. She has also played recurring roles on Aaron Spelling's Models Inc, Melrose Place, 7th Heaven, as well as Stephen Bochco's Murder One. But the role dearest to Ms. Grahn's heart was that of Julia Wainwright on the daytime drama, Santa Barbara, for which she won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in 1989.

As much joy as Ms. Grahn receives from her work, it pales in comparison to the joy she receives from her daughter, Katherine Grace. She refers to her as "heaven on a stick."

The versatile Grahn has also written two plays, chaired the Media Access Awards to promote portrayal of disability in the media, volunteered at Van Nuys Child Abuse Clinic, and toured college campuses promoting specific women's issues. She has also made the talk show circuit with her father, a recovering alcoholic, and discussed alcoholism and its impact on the family. She also organized and hosted "Daytime for Gore," bringing together some of daytime's brightest stars during the 2000 presidential election.

As a single working mother, Ms. Grahn no longer has any spare time when not working. Her every moment is blissfully filled to the brim with daughter Kate.

Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION

Melrose Place
Denise Fielding
1997

7th Heaven
Principal Russell
1997-1999

General Hospital
Alexis Davis
1996 to Present

Murder One
Connie Dahlgren
1995-1996

Santa Barbara
Julia Wainwright Capwell
1985-1993

Streets of Justice
Young Woman Lawyer
1985

Kids Don't Tell
Puppet Lady
1985

Obsessed with a Married Woman
Bianca
1985

One Life to Live
Beverly Wilkes
1980-1982

Acting Portfolio
FILM

Children of the Corn III (1995) .... Amanda Porter

Awards & Acclaim

Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actress (1989; for Santa Barbara) [Tied with Debbi Morgan]

Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2003, 2004, 2005; for General Hospital)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2000; for General Hospital)

Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008; for General Hospital))

Soap Opera Digest Award Nominee, Outstanding Supercouple (1991; for Santa Barbara)
Soap Opera Digest Award Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2000, 2001, 2003; for General Hospital)
Soap Opera Digest Award Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actress (1993; for Santa Barbara)
Soap Opera Digest Award Nominee, Hottest Female Star (1993; for Santa Barbara)

BIRTHPLACE: Skokie, Illinois
BIRTHDATE: April 28, 1958
HEIGHT: 5'6"
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown