Alexandra Ansanelli

Who is Alexandra Ansanelli?

Alexandra Noel Ansanelli was born in Manhassett, Long Island. Her mother, Linda Ansanelli, is the daughter of the late Jack and Esther Young. Jack Young, stage name Ray Royce, was a Vaudevillian child star and later became the headliner for Ted Lewis and Eddie Cantor. Alexandra’s grandfather Jack, was a descendent of Sir Walter Raleigh’s. Alexandra’s grandmother Esther, was from the Miller family, grew up in Valley Stream, Long Island. As a child, Linda was spotted and called to audition for the new Broadway show Gypsy produced by David Merrick and Leland Hayward. Linda auditioned for Jerome Robbins and was chosen for the role of Baby June. “Grandpa Jack” did not want Linda to be in show business and declined to let her go. Ironically many years later, her daughter Alexandra, was the last muse of Jerome Robbins before he died, and was the leading role as “The Bride” in his final staging, Les noces.

Alexandra’s father Vincent Ansanelli, Jr. M.D., is the son of Italian immigrants, and grew up in The Bronx, N.Y.