Perhaps you are thinking of Jennifer Beals, who played the role of Alex Owens in the 1983 movie "Flashdance." She was known as Jennifer Beals-Niemi during her marriage to Ken Niemi (1988-2005), but she goes by Jennifer Beals professionally.
If you're thinking of someone else, please provide more details about the actress you're looking for, and I'll do my best to help.