Leslie Stefanson

Biography

Leslie Stefanson is an American Actress, Artist, and Model. She is most known for playing Elisabeth Campbell in The General's Daughter (1999).

Some of her most known roles are Irene Kravitz in The Hunted (2003), Kelly in Unbreakable(2000), Shelly Pangborn in MDs(2002), Natalie Wright in The Stickup(2002) among others.

Recently her archival footage was used in Glass(2019) as a train in woman, she had appeared in its prequel Unbreakable(2000) as Kelly.

Childhood- Family

Leslie Stefanson was born on 10th May 1971 as Leslie Ann Stefanson in Fargo, North Dakota, the United States of America to Randy Stefanson(father) & Corinne Stefanson(mother). She was raised in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Education

• Barnard College: She graduated from the Columbia University New York City campus, she graduated with a degree in English literature in 1993
• Drew University: She studied literature from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
• The Art Students League: Leslie attended The Art Students League of New York to polish her drawing and sculpting skills.
• She studied life drawing and sculpting in between acting roles with the master artist Robert Cunningham

Marriage- Boyfriend

[Leslie Stefanson and James Spader]

Leslie Stefanson and James Spader

Actor James Spader and Leslie have been together since 2002, they starred in the lead roles in the 200 crime mystery movie "The Stick Up". 

Leslie got engaged to James Spader in 2008, she had a baby boy born on 31st August 2008, named Nathaneal Spader. James is 11 years older than Leslie.

[Leslie Stefanson & James Spader with son Nathaneal Spader]

James Spader

James Spader is an American actor known for his roles Raymond Reddington in The Blacklist (2013-2020), Alan Shore in Boston Legal (2004-2008), Graham in Sex, Lies, and Videotape(1989), Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) among others

James was born on 7th February 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts, the United States to Jean Fraser and Stoddard Greenwood Spader (both teachers)

He has won multiple Primetime Emmys, has received multiple nominations at Golden globes among other numerous nominations.

James and Leslie have worked together in The Stickup(2002) as well as Alien Hunter (2003)

Leslie Stefanson and Ryan O'Neal

She had a brief relationship with actor and former boxer Ryan O'Neal in 1997. However the relationship was short-lived, they split in the same year.

Leslie Stefanson Facts & Trivia

• Ethnicity: Leslie is of Icelandic descent from father's side and Norwegian from her mother's side
• Commercials: She has appeared on Lee's Jeans commercials in 1997 that was aired during the super bowl.
• Residence: She spends her time between New York and Los Angeles.
• Runner: She was a long-distance runner and competed in cross country and track competitions while in High School

Sculpting

She works full time as a sculptor nowadays in Los Angeles and New York City, all her artwork can be found on her website. She sculpts statues of bronze and terracotta. Eroticism is one of her favorite themes.

Some of her works are:

• I Myself Alone
• Behind the Tree
• On the Couch
• After a Shower
• Against the Wall
• On her Back
• Relief
• Old Woman

Her first art exhibition was held at Rourke Art Gallery Museum in her hometown Moorhead, Minnesota. In 2011 Leslie opened her own art studio.

[Leslie Stefanson's Terracota art]

Career

• Modeling: She started her career as a model as soon as she completed her graduation, She was represented by Wilhelmina Models of Manhattan
• Debut: Her acting career started in 1994, she made the debut with The Cowboy Way which also starred Woody Harrelson
• Retirement from acting: She retired from acting in 2003 and has taken sculpting as full-time work ever since.

The General's Daughter (1999)

In the crime mystery movie based on Nelson DeMille's novel, Leslie appears in the titular role, as Elisabeth Campbell, a captain in the army psychological operations. James Cromwell played the role of Elisabeth Campbell's father.

The story revolves around uncovering the mysterious murder of Elisabeth Campbell (General's daughter) in the army base camp. Detective Paul Brenner (played by John Travolta) is summoned to uncover the mystery.

Unbreakable (2000): Leslie makes an appearance as Kelly, a woman on the train. Her footage was also used in the sequel movie "Glass"

Beautiful (2000)

In the 2000 comedy-drama directed by Sally Field, Leslie played Joyce Perkins, a contestant at the Miss America pageant.

She plays the antagonist to lead character Mona Hibbard (played by Minnie Driver), a troubled young woman and a fellow Miss America pageant.

Joey Lauren Adams appeared in the movie as Ruby, Hallie Eisenberg as Vanessa, Kathleen Turner as Verna Chickle.

Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot(2001)

In the biographical TV movie based on the wives of prominent men of Washington, Leslie plays one of the titular characters- Joan Kennedy, the first wife of Senator Ted Kennedy. 

Jill Hennessy (As Jackie Kennedy), Lauren Holly (as Ethel Kennedy), Daniel Hugh Kelly (John F. Kennedy), Robert Knepper (Robert F. Kennedy), Matt Letscher (Ted Kennedy) appeared in the lead roles

The Stickup (2002)

In the bank robbery themed crime movie written and directed by Rowdy Herrington, Leslie appears as Natalie Wright, an ex-wife of a police officer in pursuit of the robber John Parker (played by Leslie's future partner James Spader)

This movie is a highlight in Leslie's career in more ways than one, she appeared in a lead character for the first time and also got a boyfriend who she married later.

[The Stick Up poster- Leslie Stefanson and James Spader]

Alien Hunter (2003)

In the science-fiction alien movie directed by Ronald Krauss, Leslie played Nyla Olson. The story revolves around an alien black box found in the southern pole, in a place near the government botanical experiments lab.

James Spader (as Julian Rome), Janine Eser (as Dr. Kate Brecher), John Lynch (Dr. Michael Straub), Nikolai Binev (Dr. Alexi Gierach), Aimee Graham (Shelly Klein) appeared in main roles.

The Hunted (2003)

In the 2003 action thriller directed by William Friedkin, Leslie played the role of Irene Kravitz. Jenna Boyd played Loretta Kravitz.

Benicio Del Toro (as Aaron Hallam), Tommy Lee Jones (as L.T. Bonham), Connie Nielsen (as Abby Durrell) appeared in the lead roles.

MDs(2002-2003)

In the hospital/ medical-themed drama series created by Gary Tieche, Leslie played Shelly Pangborn, a new hospital administrator. She plays the antagonist in the series to Dr. Bruce Kellerman (played by William Fichtner) and Dr. Robert Dalgety (played by John Hannah)

She appears in all the 10 episodes of the first season.

Filmography

Movies

TV series

News and Updates

• Celebrity Sleuth magazine published her pictorials in 1999, in volume 12 on pages 18 and 19 of issue 8, it was titled "Separation Anxiety: Leslie Stefanson"

References

1. Leslie Stefanson wiki
2.