Born as Alan Smith in Tulsa Oklahoma. He attended Central High School. There he met Tony Randall (who was then known as Leonard Rosenberg) and they performed on their own weekly radio programme from 1937-8.

On Broadway, Cris starred as Chip in the original production of "On The Town" (the part played by Frank Sinatra in the movie). And as Mr. Loomis in the original production of "Auntie Mame" with Rosalind Russell - they both re-created their roles in the film version.

Retiring from the stage and screen he devoted himself to photography. He became the official photographer for the New York City Ballet and became internationally known for his celebrity portraits.

He contributed photographs for a mock biography written by Patrick Dennis purporting to be the autobiography of the actress Belle Poitrine, called "Little Me". Some of the photographs were original and others altered.

Dennis then went on to write the "biography" of Martha Dinwiddie Butterfield the wife of a robber baron who stole the presidency of the United States. Cris Alexander provided photographs for this too using friends and actors posing for them.

In the 1940s, Cris was romantically involved with the dancer and choreographer John Butler. He is now living in Saratoga Springs, New York with his life partner Shaun O'Brien, formerly a dancer with the New York City Ballet.