Terry Alexander (born March 23, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of John in George A. Romero's film Day of the Dead (1985). He also played police commissioner Troy Nichols on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1990–1993).
Early life Terry Alexander was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He originally planned to become a dentist, but he eventually shifted his focus to acting. He attended Wayne State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater.
Career In the 1960s, Alexander joined an African American theater group, earning fifteen dollars for each performance. He eventually began working in both theater and television. Alexander played Johnny Williams in the original Broadway production of Charles Gordone's No Place to Be Somebody. The play opened August 27, 1971. He was cast on the NBC soap opera Another World, playing the recurring role of Sgt. Zach Richards from 1972 to 1974.
He had an uncredited role in the film Death Wish (1974). In August 1974, Alexander appeared in the Off-Broadway play Naomi Court at New York's Manhattan Theatre Club. Alexander played Roger in the original Broadway production of David Rabe's Streamers. The play opened April 21, 1976. He appeared in the television mini-series King (1978), co-starring with Cicely Tyson. Alexander had an uncredited role in the film All That Jazz (1979). He had a recurring role on Hill Street Blues. He also appeared on Behind the Screen.
In 1982, he played Robert Walsh in the television film Desperate Lives. He also played Jason MacWilliams in the television film Benny's Place. Alexander guest starred on Fame. In 1984, he guest starred on Gimme a Break! and Benson. He played Peterson in the film Flashpoint (1984).
Alexander was cast as John in George A. Romero's Day of the Dead (1985). He guest starred on Hometown, Leg Work, and Amen. In March 1986, he starred as Earl in the Off-Broadway play Black Girl. Alexander appeared as Casey in the film House III (also titled The Horror Show) (1989). In March 1989, he starred as Vernard Jr. in the play Some Sweet Day at Connecticut's Long Wharf Theatre.
In 1990, he was cast on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, playing police commissioner Troy Nichols. The role was initially meant to be recurring, but he was eventually signed to a contract.Reichardt, Nancy (July 22, 1990). "Zimmer to leave 'Guiding Light' cast", Austin American-Statesman, p. 42. Alexander stayed on the show until 1993. In May 1993, he appeared as Mac in the play Playboy of the West Indies at New York's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. He appeared in the Hal Hartley film Amateur (1994). Alexander played The Founding Father in a production of The America Play in March 1994.
In April 1995, Alexander played Dady Jerry in Dancing on Moonlight at The Public Theater. Alexander appeared in the television film Cagney & Lacey: Together Again (1995). He guest starred on New York Undercover. Alexander appeared as Tuck in a production of Slaughter City. The play ran from March to April 1996. He played Duane in the film Hurricane Streets (1997). He also played Flip in the film Conspiracy Theory (1997).
He guest starred on Law & Order in 1999. Alexander appeared in the Sidney Lumet film Gloria (1999). He guest starred on The Education of Max Bickford in 2001.
In 2021, it was announced that Alexander would appear in the horror film The Dark Offerings. The film is the first socially distant feature shot entirely during COVID-19 quarantine. In 2024, he joined the cast of the horror film Stream.
Personal life As of 1992, Alexander was divorced and had one child, a son.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1973 The Werewolf of Washington Guard1974Death WishUncredited role1979All That JazzHospital OrderlyUncredited role 1984 Flashpoint Peterson 1985 Day of the Dead John 1989 House III CaseyAlso titled The Horror Show1990Hot HippoNarrator (voice)Short film 1994 Amateur Frank, the Cook1997 Hurricane Streets Duane Conspiracy Theory Flip 1999 Gloria Transit Cop No.2 2016 Ihailed2019The Last CallHarry CunninghamShort film2021A New York MinuteFrankShort filmThe Dark OfferingsDr. Mantis Tobogan 2024 Stream Detective Hart
Television Year Title Role Notes 1972–1974 Another World Sgt. Zach Richards Recurring role 1977 The Andros Targets Beanie Episode: "Requiem for a Stolen Child: Part 2" 1978 King Bernard Lee Television miniseries 3 episodes1979Salvage 1Firing Squad OfficerEpisode: "Operation Breakout" 1980 Angel on My Shoulder Luke Television film1981Today's FBIEpisode: "Hostage" 1981; 1983 Hill Street Blues Theo Monroe; Quincy 4 episodes1982FantasiesHarold JohnsonTelevision film Desperate Lives Robert Walsh Television film Benny's Place Jason MacWilliams Television film The First Time Chief Duty Officer Television film Fame Mr. Belmont Episode: "Solo Song"1983CasablancaEpisode: "Divorce Casablanca Style" AfterMASH Johnson Episode: "Night Shift" 1983; 1984 Benson Richie; Mr. Adams 2 episodes1984Gimme a Break!Episode: "James Returns" Lace Sir Douglas Television miniseries 2 episodes1985Hometown1987Leg WorkDistrict Attorney MarnerEpisode: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" 1988 Amen Stage Manager Episode: "Look at Me, I'm Running" 1990 Equal Justice Freddy Episode: "Cop's Story" 1990–1993 One Life to Live Troy Nichols Contract role: May 28, 1990–19931995 Cagney and Lacey: Together Again Jacques Television film New York Undercover Dr. Crowley Episode: "High on the Hog" 1996 NYPD Blue Det. Bauman Episode: "Moby Greg" 1999 Homicide: Life on the Street Larry Moss Episode: "Zen and the Art of Murder" Law & Order Harry Gales Episode: "Refuge: Part 2"Double PlatinumTelevision film 2000; 2001 Deadline Jono; National 6 episodes 2001 100 Centre Street Episode: "Hostage" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Security Supervisor Episode: "Pique" The Education of Max Bickford Gil Bryant Episode: "In the Details"
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