Alexandra Huntingdon Tydings (born December 15, 1972) is an American actress, director, writer, producer, and activist, best known for her role as Greek goddess Aphrodite on the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its spin-off, Xena: Warrior Princess.
Alexandra Tydings was born on December 15, 1972, in Washington, D.C. She has four sisters and one brother, and is the daughter of former Maryland U.S. Senator Joseph Tydings and the granddaughter of former Maryland U.S. Senator Millard Tydings. She is a graduate of Sidwell Friends School and Brown University, with a degree in film and critical theory. She speaks English, French and Spanish.
Tydings counts Katharine Hepburn and Kevin Spacey among her favorite actors, and as she told Whoosh.org, she most enjoys the research and collaborating process of acting; auditioning is her least favorite part of theater arts. She competed in Irish dancing as a child, and performed with The Royal Ballet of London at the Kennedy Center. Dance led to performance of all kinds; in addition to acting, she was the singer and bassist of bands Annabelle Kickbox and She's Seen You Naked.