Jennifer Beals (born December 19, 1963) is an American film actress and former teen model. She is known for her roles as Alexandra "Alex" Owens in the 1983 film Flashdance and as Bette Porter on the lesbian-themed drama series The L Word. She has appeared in more than 50 movies.

Beals was born in Chicago, Illinois to Alfred Beals, who owned a grocery store, and Jeanne, an elementary school teacher.Her father was African-American and her mother was Irish. She has two brothers, Bobby and Gregory. Her father died when Beals was ten years old and her mother re-married to Edward Cohen. She graduated from the Francis W. Parker School and Yale University, receiving a B.A. in American Literature.

Beals had a minor role in the 1980 films My Bodyguard and came to fame with her starring part in Flashdance. After the release of the film, it was revealed that some scenes in the movie where athletics were required were actually performed by double Marine Jahan.

Beals stars in Showtime Network's The L Word, where she plays Bette Porter, an Ivy League educated lesbian. Despite her advanced state, Beals' pregnancy was not adapted into the story-line of The L Word's third season. However, during the first episode of the season her pregnancy is noticeable.