Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Alex: The Life of a Child

  • TV Movie
  • 1986
  • Unrated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
269
YOUR RATING
Alex: The Life of a Child (1986)
BiographyDrama

Alexandra Deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic fibrosis, the number-one geneti... Read allAlexandra Deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic fibrosis, the number-one genetic killer of children. Her poignant and uplifting story touched the hearts of millions when... Read allAlexandra Deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic fibrosis, the number-one genetic killer of children. Her poignant and uplifting story touched the hearts of millions when it was first published and then made into a memorable television movie. A new introductio... Read all

  • Director
    • Robert Markowitz
  • Writers
    • Frank Deford
    • Carol Evan McKeand
    • Nigel McKeand
  • Stars
    • Craig T. Nelson
    • Bonnie Bedelia
    • Gennie James
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    269
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Markowitz
    • Writers
      • Frank Deford
      • Carol Evan McKeand
      • Nigel McKeand
    • Stars
      • Craig T. Nelson
      • Bonnie Bedelia
      • Gennie James
    • 9User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 5 nominations total

    Photos

    Top cast22

    Edit
    Craig T. Nelson
    Craig T. Nelson
    • Frank Deford
    Bonnie Bedelia
    Bonnie Bedelia
    • Carole Deford
    Gennie James
    Gennie James
    • Alex Deford
    Danny Corkill
    Danny Corkill
    • Chris Deford
    Mark Withers
    Mark Withers
    • Mac Deford
    Melonie Mazman Hayden
    • Zehra Deford
    • (as Melonie Mazman)
    Brenda Bazinet
    Brenda Bazinet
    • Barbara Keator
    Cherry Jones
    Cherry Jones
    • Tina Crawford
    Elva Mai Hoover
    Elva Mai Hoover
    • Alice Grady
    • (as Elva Mae Hoover)
    Dann Florek
    Dann Florek
    • Dr. Tom Dolan
    Sean McCann
    Sean McCann
    • Dr. Ralph Stanwyck
    Ted Simonett
    • Dr. Westlake
    • (as Ted Simonette)
    Jane Schoettle
    • Woman in Market
    • (as Jane Schoetle)
    Lindsey Amelio
    • Alex Deford (3-5 years)
    • (as Lindsay Cook Amelio)
    Harley Cross
    Harley Cross
    • Chris Deford (6-8 years)
    J.J. Stocker
    • Chris Deford (2-1…
    Marshall Perlmuter
    • Sportscaster
    Gordon Masten
    Gordon Masten
    • Photographer
    • Director
      • Robert Markowitz
    • Writers
      • Frank Deford
      • Carol Evan McKeand
      • Nigel McKeand
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    8.1269
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10lmm1019

    Wonderful Movie...still looking for a copy to add...

    I was only about 6 or 7 when this movie came out, but I remember it to this day. My family and I still talk about it and wonder if we can get a copy of the movie, but I think I finally found where to get it!! "Daddy, My Little Daddy" has been in our vocabulary since we saw this. This little girl was so brave and strong and I know a little girl who passed away at 7 of Cancer just a few years ago and for some reason, they grow up so fast.

    I truly feel this movie should be in EVERYONES movie collection...I could watch it over and over and cry over and over. It makes you cherish life and what you have that much more.

    My daughter will also experience this move when she gets older and I know she will love it just as I do.
    10luckylioness

    Alex: The life of a child

    Don't watch this movie if you have to go out in public anytime soon... this film is a tear jerker from the first scene to the last. Although it was a TV movie from 1986, I have never forgotten it or have ever seen a movie that touched my heart so much! As sad as it was, I wish I could find it to see it again.
    10rachels89

    Alex: The Life of A Child is my favorite movie

    I watched Alex: The Life of A Child when it came on TV and we taped it. I watched it over and over that our tape went bad. I would cry every time I watched it, but I love it. My friend taped it again for me off cable TV, but I watched it so much that my tape went bad again. So I have been looking all over for the movie so I could see it again. I want to watch it and cry when I watch it, because Alex was such a loving, creative, and imaginative little girl, who loved to make people happy. I can't wait to get the movie. I would love to show it to my nieces Kayla and Gabrielle someday. My Mom and my friend Kristy also love Alex: The Life of a Child as much as I do. My Mom has been wanting to buy it for a long time also. This is one of the best room I have ever seen. Thank you Frank Deford for sharing your daughter's life with us so that we could enjoy her too. As well as understand what cystic fibrosis is and how it affects a child that has it.
    belkisphoto

    Message for rachels89

    @rachels89

    You and I share the same love of this movie and the same thing happened to me. About 13 years ago, I contacted the network and was able to obtain it on VHS tape. I recently transferred it to video and although a bit bad, it's watchable. I would be happy to send you the VHS and pay it forward to someone who adores this film as much as I did.
    10Sylviastel

    Just heartbreaking!

    I remember the first time that I saw this film. It still is worth watching. Alex: the life of a child is one of those films that you can't watch without some feeling. The daughter, Alexandra, suffers from cystic fibrosis. During her short life, her father played beautifully and touching by Craig T. Nelson is sports writer and sports commentator Frank DeFord. He chronicles her short life. He and his wife had it all by the time she was born. They had a beautiful home in the suburbs and a healthy son named CHristopher. When Alex came into their lives, she was the first girl in a long time. The young actress who played Alex deserves credit for bringing to life this child. The actress is Gemma James and she deserved an Emmy for a heartbreaking performance. I also have to admire Bonnie Bedelia's performance as the mother. Her role does not go without saying. How can somebody grieve over the loss of a child? Nobody expects to outlive their child. Since I don't have any children, I can say that I have watched this film and cried a little each time. I keep thinking of what might have been for Alex. Her life was just too short.

    More like this

    The Fire Next Time
    6.0
    The Fire Next Time
    Without a Trace
    7.1
    Without a Trace
    A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story
    6.3
    A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story
    The Stranger
    5.1
    The Stranger
    O'Malley
    8.0
    O'Malley
    The Big Town
    5.9
    The Big Town
    Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier
    6.7
    Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier
    Violets Are Blue...
    5.8
    Violets Are Blue...
    Sganarelle
    Sganarelle
    Heart Like a Wheel
    6.8
    Heart Like a Wheel
    Something About Amelia
    6.7
    Something About Amelia
    The Switch
    6.5
    The Switch

    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Craig T Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia were paired again as husband and wife in 2010s family drama Parenthood. They played Zeek and Camille Braverman.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1986)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 1986 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Una vita troppo breve
    • Filming locations
      • Ontario, Canada
    • Production company
      • Mandy Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.