Alexa Davalos was born in France on May 28, 1982, and is of Greek descent. She started out as a model, and most recently nabbed the role of Samantha in the Fox show Reunion. She speaks both Greek and French fluently. Alexa's mother is Greek American actress Elyssa Davalos. Her grandfather is actor Richard Davalos. Alexa Davalos made her feature film debut starring in The Chronicles of Riddick as Kyra. In September 2003, Davalos was seen opposite Antonio Banderas in the HBO original film And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself. Davalos played Teddy Sampson, a young actress starring in the film whose acting chops allowed her to portray someone else after cameras stopped rolling. Jim Broadbent and Eion Bailey also starred. And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself won "Best Picture Made for Television" in the Broadcast Film Critics Association's Critics' Choice Awards.

In 2002, Davalos starred in The Ghost of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Lyons’ directorial debut. This short film follows James Powell, a college senior, who falls for Bess Gunther, played by Davalos, a sophomore. However, the attractive Bess is deeply in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald, or “Scotty,” as she likes to call him. The obsession leads Bess down a road James prefers not to follow. Years later, he wonders whether she’s the one that got away. Charlie Hofheimer also stars. The film was an official selection to the 2002 Toronto Film Festival.