Alice Barrett

Alice Barrett – Life, Career, and Notable Work

: Discover the life and career of American actress Alice Barrett (born December 19, 1956). From her soap opera fame in Another World to roles on Law & Order: SVU and Heels, explore her journey and legacy.

Introduction

Alice Barrett, sometimes credited as Alice Barrett-Mitchell, is an American actress born on December 19, 1956, in New York City. Frankie Frame Winthrop on the NBC soap Another World, Barrett has built a career spanning decades with roles in television, film, and guest appearances that showcase her versatility.

Early Life and Education

Alice Barrett was born and raised in New York, New York. Man of La Mancha at around age 10, she decided to pursue acting.

She attended Hunter College in New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater.

Acting Career and Highlights

Breakthrough: Another World

Alice Barrett’s most iconic role came in 1989 when she was cast as Frankie Frame Winthrop on the long-running NBC soap Another World. She portrayed Frankie (and occasionally alternate personas such as Ann O'Donnell) for many years—across more than 450 episodes.

This role brought her significant visibility and remains her signature credit.

Other Television Work

Before and after Another World, Barrett appeared in a variety of television shows:

• She played Jacqui McCormick on The Catlins (1984–1985).

• She made guest appearances on As the World Turns and Ryan’s Hope.

• In 2008, she appeared on New Amsterdam as Dr. Evelyn Prender.

• She had recurring or guest roles in Law & Order: SVU, Heels (as Carol Spade over 2021–2023), The Thing About Pam, Billions, Chicago Med, Power, The District, Conviction, and more.

Her appearances across different genres—from soap to crime drama to prime time series—illustrate her adaptability as a performer.

Film and Supporting Roles

Barrett’s film credits are more modest but still show her range:

• Mission Hill (1982) as Laura

• Sonic Impact (1999) as Shelly Peterson

• Break a Leg (2005) as Lisa

• Choke (2008) in a supporting role as “Lanky Woman on Airplane”

• 13 (2010) as Leanne Ferro

• Behind Some Dark Cloud (2015) as Sylvia

• Depraved (2019) as Mrs. Beaufort

• Breaker (2019) as Linda

While film roles have tended to be smaller, they supplement her television work and demonstrate her willingness to move between mediums.

Personal Life

Alice Barrett is sometimes credited under her married name, Alice Barrett-Mitchell.

She is married to Stanley John Mitchell. Anna (born August 22, 1987) and Julia (born January 30, 1992).

In interviews and biographies, Barrett has noted her early passion for acting starting from childhood, her participation in school plays, and her steady pursuit of a theater degree.

She has also continued to take television roles through recent years, maintaining a presence in acting across decades.

Acting Style & Legacy

Alice Barrett’s strengths lie in her consistency, adaptability, and the ability to make recurring roles feel dynamic. Her portrayal of Frankie Frame brought a mix of eccentricity, empathy, and breadth to a soap character archetype. She transitioned to guest roles and supporting parts in more mainstream television, demonstrating that a soap background doesn’t limit an actor’s versatility.

Her longevity in the business—from the 1980s through the 2020s—speaks to her resilience and professional reputation. She is an example of a working actor who manages to sustain a career across different eras of television.

Select Quote

One bit of her commentary that surfaces in public playlists of quotes:

“It’s not an easy thing to be let go.”

This reflects the vulnerability many actors feel in an industry of shifting roles, and hints at her awareness of career flux and resilience.