The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Actor›Alexandra Billings
Entertainment • Actor

Alexandra Billings

Alexandra Billings is an American actress, singer, teacher, author, and activist.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alexandra Billings is an American actress, singer, teacher, author, and activist. She is known for early television roles portraying transgender characters, her recurring role as Davina in *Transparent*, and stage work that includes Broadway. Billings is also a professor of theatre arts at the University of Southern California.

Early life and background

Alexandra Billings was born on March 28, 1962, in Schaumburg, Illinois. Public biographies describe her as an American trans woman, actor, singer, teacher, author, and activist.

Acting career

Billings became known for television roles involving transgender characters, especially in *Romy and Michele: In the Beginning* and *Transparent*. Her screen work also includes recurring or guest appearances in several major TV series, including *ER*, *Eli Stone*, *How to Get Away with Murder*, *Grey's Anatomy*, *Never Have I Ever*, and *The Conners*.

Stage work

Billings has performed in theatre throughout the United States and on Broadway. Her Broadway credits include *The Nap* and *Wicked*.

Teaching and activism

Billings teaches theatre arts at the University of Southern California. She has also been identified in public sources as an LGBTQ and AIDS activist.

Key facts

  • Billings is a trans woman and has portrayed transgender characters in television and film.
  • She played one of television’s first openly transgender characters in *Romy and Michele: In the Beginning* (2005).
  • She had a recurring role as Davina in Amazon’s *Transparent*.
  • Her acting credits also include *Grey's Anatomy* and *The Conners*.
  • Billings is a professor of theatre arts at the University of Southern California.
🍁
Canadian context

Billings is relevant to Canadian readers through her work in LGBTQ representation and trans visibility in mainstream entertainment, topics that have had broad cultural influence in Canada as well as the United States.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Alexandra Billings?
Alexandra Billings is an American actress, singer, teacher, author, and activist known for film, television, and stage roles.
What is Alexandra Billings best known for?
She is best known for playing Davina in *Transparent* and for early television roles portraying transgender characters.
When was Alexandra Billings born?
She was born on March 28, 1962.
What is Alexandra Billings’s nationality?
She is American.
Does Alexandra Billings teach?
Yes. Public biographies identify her as a professor of theatre arts at the University of Southern California.
Has Alexandra Billings appeared on Broadway?
Yes. Public sources state that she made her Broadway debut in *The Nap* and later appeared in *Wicked*.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Billings
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, occupations, and overview of major roles.
  2. USC School of Dramatic Arts — https://dramaticarts.usc.edu/alexandra-billings/
    Supports: USC teaching role, acting career, and biography details.
  3. Broadway.com — https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/alexandra-billings/profile/
    Supports: Broadway credits, stage roles, awards, and USC professor role.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1267765/bio/
    Supports: Birthplace and biographical summary of major screen roles.
  5. Transgender Media Portal — https://www.transgendermediaportal.org/person/PERS_001196.html
    Supports: Transgender representation in early TV roles and recurring role in *Transparent*.