American actress Alexa Havins was born on November 16, 1980 in Artesia, New Mexico. She discovered dancing when she was three years old, and took the form seriously. Before she became an actress, she worked as a professional dancer. Her interest in acting only took root when she attended Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City. She then moved to Los Angeles, where she received further training from acclaimed acting coach Brian Reise.
After playing several guest roles in television shows such as Reno 911! and Secret Lives, Havins’ big break came in 2003, when she joined the cast of the daytime soap All My Children. She originated the role of Babe Carey, a waitress who gets married to J.R. Chandler (Jacob Young). Originally developed as an all-out antagonist, the character was later tweaked to become the drama’s “flawed good girl,” which earned her fans. She also played the same character in another daytime soap, One Life to Live, after a crossover storyline involving a baby switch implicated her character and her baby.
During Havins’ run on the daytime drama, she continued appearing in other projects. These include Joe Killionaire, First Kiss, Joshua and Fat Girls. She also played a guest role in the acclaimed television series Rescue Me. She was nominated for two Daytime Emmys for her performance; in 2005, she won a Soap Opera Digest Award for the same character.
Havins left All My Children in 2007, after deciding not to renew her contract in pursuit of other acting opportunities. Her character was later given to Amanda Baker, a decision which has become somewhat controversial. Since then, she has starred in the films 27 Dresses, which stars Katherine Heigl, and Han!$#!#, where she played an uncredited role. She has also acted on stage, playing major roles in productions of The Glass Menagerie and The Member of the Wedding.