Grant Aleksander
Grant Aleksander (born Grant Aleksander Kunkowski; August 6, 1960) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Phillip Spaulding on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light, off and on from 1982 until the show's cancellation in 2009. He received a Soap Opera Digest Award and four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his role on Guiding Light.
Also recorded as Grant Aleksander Kunkowski
Grant Aleksander
- Name
- Grant Aleksander
- Birth Name
- Grant Aleksander Kunkowski
- Born
- 6 August 1960
- Birthplace
- Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
- Education
- Washington and Lee University
- Occupation
- Actor
- Spouse
- Sherry Ramsey (m.1987)
- Nationality
- United States.
- Languages
- English.
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Grant Aleksander (born Grant Aleksander Kunkowski; August 6, 1960) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Phillip Spaulding on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light, off and on from 1982 until the show's cancellation in 2009. He received a Soap Opera Digest Award and four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his role on Guiding Light.
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Grant Aleksander (born 1959) is an actor, model and television actor, of American nationality. The actor was born in Baltimore. Grant Aleksander was educated at McDonogh School and Washington and Lee University. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Grant Aleksander • Birth Name — Grant Aleksander Kunkowski • Born — 6 August 1960 • Birthplace — Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. • Education — Washington and Lee University • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1982–present • Spouse — Sherry Ramsey (m.1987)
Early life
Early life
Aleksander was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Timonium. He is the youngest of three sons. He attended McDonogh School, where he played football. He became interested in acting after a drama teacher encouraged him to try out for a school play. After high school, he enrolled at Washington and Lee University, where he starred in productions of The Owl and the Pussycat, The Glass Menagerie, The Crucible, and Hamlet. He also appeared on stage in Baltimore, starring in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He left Washington and Lee to study at New York University and the Circle in the Square Theatre. He eventually returned to Washington and Lee, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre in 2012.
Career
Career
After moving to New York, Aleksander worked as a waiter and tried modeling. He appeared in an ABC Afterschool Special, A Very Delicate Matter, in 1982. He landed his big break when he was cast as Phillip Spaulding on Guiding Light. He initially played the role from 1982 to 1984, before leaving to pursue other opportunities. Aleksander landed guest starring roles on Hardcastle and McCormick, Who's the Boss?, and The Fall Guy. He appeared in the TV movie Dark Mansions and the film Tough Guys. Returning to soaps, he had a brief stint as DJ Phillips on Capitol in 1986. He returned to Guiding Light as Phillip Spaulding in 1986 and stayed until early 1991. He decided to leave due to burn out from the show's fast paced schedule, as well as grief from the recent deaths of his parents. In 1993, Aleksander joined the cast of the ABC Daytime soap opera All My Children as Alec McIntyre. He stayed with AMC until 1996. Aleksander returned to Guiding Light in 1996 and continued playing the role of Phillip until 2004, when he was abruptly dismissed from the show. Media reports speculated on a number of possible reasons, including his high salary, and allegations that Aleksander was temperamental or had been feuding with the actress who portrayed his love interest. Aleksander said the dismissal was storyline dictated. After being killed off, it was revealed in May 2006 that Phillip Spaulding was still alive. However, the character didn't appear on camera again until Aleksander returned in February 2009. He stayed with Guiding Light until its final episodes in September 2009. During his time away from Guiding Light, Aleksander directed episodes of As the World Turns. In 2006, he appeared in the film The Big Bad Swim, co-starring with Paget Brewster. He also had a role in Fields of Freedom, a historical film about the battle of Gettysburg. In 2008, he guest starred on Life on Mars, playing a soap opera doctor. Aleksander joined the cast of the web series Tainted Dreams in 2013, playing Adam Clark. In late 2014, he returned to Washington and Lee University as a Guest Artist in the first "Dick Sessoms Honorary Production" of George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession. Aleksander starred in Mary, Mary at Cape May Stage in 2015. He also appeared Off Broadway in Perfect Crime in May and June 2019.
Personal life
Personal life
Aleksander met his wife, attorney Sherry Ramsey, when they were cast in a play together as students at Washington and Lee University. They were married on September 19, 1987. Aleksander and his wife have rescued many animals and are supporters of PETA.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1982 — ABC Afterschool Specials — Larry Milligan — Episode: "A Very Delicate Matter" • 1982–2009 — Guiding Light — Phillip Spaulding — Contract role • 1985 — Who's the Boss? — Guss McGee — Episode: "Hunk of the Month" • Hardcastle and McCormick — Biff Anderson — Episode: "Mirage a Trois" • 1986 — The Fall Guy — Cliff — Episode: "Beach Blanket Bounty" • You Again? — Waiter — Episode: "Uncle Randy" • Dark Mansions — Nicholas Drake — Television film • Capitol — D.J. Phillips • 1993–1996 — All My Children — Alec McIntyre — Contract role • 2002 — A Wedding Story: Josh and Reva — Phillip Spaulding — Uncredited • 2008 — Life on Mars — Soap Opera Doctor — Episode: "Tuesday's Dead"
Web series
Web series
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2014-2017 — Tainted Dreams — Adam Clark — 12 episodes
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
His recorded language was English. He married Sherry Ramsey.
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1986 — Tough Guys — Bartender at Mickey's • 2006 — The Big Bad Swim — Paul Pierson • Fields of Freedom
Awards and nominations
• Year — Award — Category — Title — Result — Ref. • 1998 — Daytime Emmy Award — Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Guiding Light • 1999 — Soap Opera Digest Award — Favorite New Couple (Phillip and Harley) — Guiding Light — (Shared with Beth Ehlers) • 2003 — Daytime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Guiding Light • 2004 — Daytime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Guiding Light • 2005 — Daytime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Guiding Light
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.O'Neil, Jerry. Nothing for Granted. Soap Opera Weekly. 4. 44. November 2, 1993.
- 2.Collymore, Terrie. Aleksander the Great. Soap Opera Digest. 19. 18. August 30, 1994.
- 3.About the Actors: Grant Aleksander. Soap Central.
- 4.Rout, Nancy E. The Soap Opera Book: Who's Who in Daytime Drama. Todd Publications. 2. 1992. 978-0-915344-23-9.
- 5.Newcomb, Roger. Grant Aleksander Graduates From Washington and Lee University. We Love Soaps. May 25, 2012.
- 6.Aleksander, Grant 1959 -. Encyclopedia.
- 7.Guiding Light's Beth and Phillip Wed on Valentine's Day.and Wave Goodbye. Soap Opera Digest. 16. 4. 33, 42. February 19, 1991.
- 8.Late Breaking News: Aleksander Signs with AMC. Soap Opera Digest. 18. 15. 4. July 20, 1993.
- 9.Kroll, Dan J. Lights out for GL's Grant Aleksander. Soap Central. September 4, 2004.
- 10.Good Night, and Good Luck. Soap Opera Digest. October 11, 2006.
- 11.Kroll, Dan J. Grant Aleksander to return to Guiding Light. Soap Central. November 11, 2008.
- 12.Eisner, Ken. The Big, Bad Swim. Variety. June 30, 2006.
- 13.Former Guiding Light Star Grant Aleksander Hits Primetime. Soaps. November 2008.
- 14.Grant Aleksander Joins Tainted Dreams. Soap Opera Digest. June 13, 2013.
- 15.The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences. Washington & Lee.
- 16.Guiding Light Fave Hits the Stage. Soap Opera Digest. June 17, 2015.
- 17.Wild, Stephi. Guiding Light Stars Join Cast Of Perfect Crime To Celebrate Its 33rd Year. Broadway World. May 2, 2019.
- 18.Daytime Emmy Nominations. The Spokesman-Review. March 13, 1998.
- 19.Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie. Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced. CBS News. March 12, 2003.
- 20.31st Daytime Emmy Nominees - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
- 21.32nd Daytime Emmy Nominees - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
References
Citations
References
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Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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