Alex Craig Mann’s first instinct to act was at 8 yrs. old when, for some unknown reason, he hated Ricky Schroeder from the T.V. show Silver Spoons. "Mom, I can do that. Come on...get me an agent!" Fortunately or unfortunately, his mother insisted on a college education. Besides getting an agent while living in Springs, East Hampton in New York wasn’t so easy. So, Alex turned his sights elsewhere. Eventually, after a little too much partying during that University education, Alex realized that acting was the only thing he had a true passion for and began studying the craft.
His training took him from a B.A. in theatre from the University of New Hampshire to studying Shakespeare in Performance at Cambridge University in England. After he miraculously graduated in 4 years, he backpacked through Europe by himself. He landed in Avignon in the south of France. There he studied French, one of his other passions. "I have this incredible passion for the French culture and language. My dream is to be fluent and to live in Paris". The initial 3 week tour turned into 4 months and, finally, he decided to return to the States to pursuit his dreams. One month after landing back in New York he was in Los Angeles.
In L.A., he continued his training with Milton Katselas and Jeffrey Tambor at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Since arriving, he has performed in over a dozen of L.A.’s most respected theatres, and met Zack Norman while appearing as Eugene in a critically acclaimed production of Neil Simon’s BROADWAY BOUND at the Hudson Theatre. ("Mann wins the audience...and captures our attention"...LA Times.) Mr. Norman brought him in to meet Henry Jaglom for the role of Barry in "FESTIVAL IN CANNES" which led to his first starring role in film. Regarding "FESTIVAL IN CANNES", he’s been quoted as saying,
His training took him from a B.A. in theatre from the University of New Hampshire to studying Shakespeare in Performance at Cambridge University in England. After he miraculously graduated in 4 years, he backpacked through Europe by himself. He landed in Avignon in the south of France. There he studied French, one of his other passions. "I have this incredible passion for the French culture and language. My dream is to be fluent and to live in Paris". The initial 3 week tour turned into 4 months and, finally, he decided to return to the States to pursuit his dreams. One month after landing back in New York he was in Los Angeles.
In L.A., he continued his training with Milton Katselas and Jeffrey Tambor at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Since arriving, he has performed in over a dozen of L.A.’s most respected theatres, and met Zack Norman while appearing as Eugene in a critically acclaimed production of Neil Simon’s BROADWAY BOUND at the Hudson Theatre. ("Mann wins the audience...and captures our attention"...LA Times.) Mr. Norman brought him in to meet Henry Jaglom for the role of Barry in "FESTIVAL IN CANNES" which led to his first starring role in film. Regarding "FESTIVAL IN CANNES", he’s been quoted as saying,
"It is every actors goal to one day work with a director and a cast such as this one. I realized a number of dreams in doing this film. I remember one day, waiting to go to the set, and sitting around a table with Henry Jaglom and Maximilian Schell while they traded stories about their lives in art. I sat in amazement as I listened to Max tell stories of Brando and Clift. No matter what happens in my career or life this experience will remain a highlight."
On T.V. he has appeared in several popular shows including "FRIENDS", "PARTY OF FIVE", "SEINFELD", "KING OF QUEENS", and most recently booked a recurring role on NBC’s "LAS VEGAS". His film work includes Frank Oz’s "BOWFINGER", Terry Gilliam’s "FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS", and the soon to be seen "STRANGE WILDERNESS" (for Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions), and starring in Steven Rothblatt’s "OH BABY".
In recent years, Alex has turned his attention more towards his newest passion – directing. In 2004, he directed Eric Bogosian’s "SUBURBIA" for which he won the Ticket Holder Award for Best Director. He followed that with critical and box office successes – Neil Labute’s "AUTOBAHN" and John Patrick Shanley’s "SAVAGE IN LIMBO". In 2006, he made his first venture into filmmaking with his two shorts "BENNY" and "LOVE & MARRIAGE". Currently, he is directing a world premier of the highly touted and anticipated award winning new play by Bruce J. Robinson, "ANOTHER VERMEER" for Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills.
He currently resides in L.A. with his wife, Gabrielle, and new son, Parker.