Alexis Arquette

Alexis Arquette ( ar-KET; July 28, 1969 – September 11, 2016) was an American actress and transgender activist. Born in Los Angeles, she was the fourth of five children of actor and director Lewis Arquette and Brenda Olivia "Mardi" (née Nowak), an actress. Her siblings include actors Rosanna, Richmond, Patricia, and David Arquette.

Arquette began her career at age 12, appearing in the music video "She's a Beauty" by The Tubes (1982), and made her screen debut in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). In the earlier part of her career she frequently performed as a female impersonator under the name "Eva Destruction". She later publicly shared her transition process toward gender-affirming surgery. Her filmography spans more than 40 films, ranging from leading roles in independent productions such as Jumpin' at the Boneyard (1992), Things I Never Told You (1996), and I Think I Do (1997), to supporting parts in mainstream releases including Threesome, Pulp Fiction (both 1994), The Wedding Singer, Bride of Chucky (both 1998), She's All That (1999), and Blended (2014).

A vocal advocate for the transgender community, Arquette's transition was documented in the film Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother (2007). She contracted HIV in 1987 and continued working in film and television until 2014. She died on September 11, 2016, at the age of 47.