Flashdance Star Was Almost X Files' Agent Scully

Thursday, June 21, 2001

By Roger Friedman

Flashdance Star Was Almost X Files' Agent Scully

We all know Jennifer Beals from Flashdance ? she with the off-the-shoulder sweatshirt. Now starring in Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming's new film The Anniversary Party, the Yale graduate told me a little secret over lunch on Wednesday.

She was nearly cast as Scully on The X Files when David Duchovny ? whom she knew at Yale ? recommended her for the part.

"They asked me to do that show," Beals said. "But I didn't get it. I still don't get it. With all due respect for the fans, I couldn't imagine doing it every day. I mean, I think their acting is very good, but I couldn't do it. To adhere yourself to a part for seven years like that, I would have a nervous breakdown. I've never seen the show. But I think Gillian Anderson is amazing, and so beautiful."

Beals ? who's just a knockout at 38, with flawless skin and big brown eyes ? cast a spell over Duchovny when they first met.

"He used to follow me around and ask me for dates," she says. I used to say, A) I don't know who you are. And B) I'm living with someone, so I think that's a problem. And then I go to this acting class in New York and who's in it? David 'the stalker' Duchovny!" she laughs. "I shouldn't call him a stalker. Then he and I became scene partners, and then we became friends! He's a very funny guy!"