Ellia English
Encyclopedia
Ellia English is an American singer, stage and film actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Aunt Helen
on The Jamie Foxx Show
. English was featured in a central role in the show, and was paired onscreen with Garrett Morris
, who plays her husband Junior King.
, Georgia
. After an early graduation from high school, English attended Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University
) in Atlanta, in hopes of becoming a lawyer. However, when the head of the drama department overhead her singing and offered her one of the leading roles in their musical production, Ellia's life took a different turn. She later transferred to Georgia State University
where she studied speech and drama, and soon became an ensemble player at the Alliance Theater.
Thoroughly dedicated to a life of acting, the next step was to travel to New York
. There, English starred in such productions as Ain't Misbehavin, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Colored Museum, Dreamgirls, Romeo and Juliet, Spunk, Show Boat, Barnum, Nunsense and One Mo' Time, to name a few. She also sang with the (New York) Community Choir as one of their solo recording artists.
Los Angeles
was calling and English made the move. She was a series regular (as Helen King) on The Jamie Foxx Show
. Other television credits include Martin, Sinbad, Empty Nest, The Five Mrs. Buchanans, Love & War, Get Smart, and Thea. She was featured in the made for television movies The Innocent, The Barefoot Executive, and Based on an Untrue Story. On the silver screen, English was featured in Wildcats, Sidewalk Stories, Rain Without Thunder, Block Beauty and Girlfriends. She maintains a home in both Atlanta, Georgia
and Los Angeles, California
. She currently devotes her time to Big Sisters of Los Angeles and several other children's organizations. Also, in her spare time, she enjoys playing the flute, the piano, reading, walking, biking and many other outdoor activities.
English is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho
sorority. She co-stars with Steve Guttenberg
and James Duval
in the psycho horror film Cornered!
, which is directed by Daniel Maze
. She is also the winner of the 2009 New York Horror Film Festival's Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Mona in Cornered.
.... MonaSemi-Pro
(2008).... Quincy
Good Luck Chuck
(2007).... Reba
Woman Thou Art Loosed
(2004).... Prison Official
Matchups (2003 V).... Lynn Williams
Wildcats (1984) .... Marva
Helen King
Helen King is a Canadian actress working in theatre, film and TV as an actor, voice artist, puppeteer & singer....
on The Jamie Foxx Show
The Jamie Foxx Show
The Jamie Foxx Show is an American television sitcom that aired on the WB Network from August 28, 1996 to January 14, 2001. The series starred Jamie Foxx, Garcelle Beauvais, Christopher B. Duncan, Ellia English, and Garrett Morris.-Synopsis:...
. English was featured in a central role in the show, and was paired onscreen with Garrett Morris
Garrett Morris
Garrett Gonzalez Morris is an American comedian and actor from New Orleans. He was part of the original cast of the sketch comedy program Saturday Night Live, appearing from 1975 to 1980.-Early life and career:...
, who plays her husband Junior King.
Background
English was born in CovingtonCovington, Georgia
Covington is a city in Newton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 13,118. The city is the county seat of Newton County...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. After an early graduation from high school, English attended Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University is a private, historically black university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was formed in 1988 with the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University...
) in Atlanta, in hopes of becoming a lawyer. However, when the head of the drama department overhead her singing and offered her one of the leading roles in their musical production, Ellia's life took a different turn. She later transferred to Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
where she studied speech and drama, and soon became an ensemble player at the Alliance Theater.
Thoroughly dedicated to a life of acting, the next step was to travel to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. There, English starred in such productions as Ain't Misbehavin, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Colored Museum, Dreamgirls, Romeo and Juliet, Spunk, Show Boat, Barnum, Nunsense and One Mo' Time, to name a few. She also sang with the (New York) Community Choir as one of their solo recording artists.
Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
was calling and English made the move. She was a series regular (as Helen King) on The Jamie Foxx Show
The Jamie Foxx Show
The Jamie Foxx Show is an American television sitcom that aired on the WB Network from August 28, 1996 to January 14, 2001. The series starred Jamie Foxx, Garcelle Beauvais, Christopher B. Duncan, Ellia English, and Garrett Morris.-Synopsis:...
. Other television credits include Martin, Sinbad, Empty Nest, The Five Mrs. Buchanans, Love & War, Get Smart, and Thea. She was featured in the made for television movies The Innocent, The Barefoot Executive, and Based on an Untrue Story. On the silver screen, English was featured in Wildcats, Sidewalk Stories, Rain Without Thunder, Block Beauty and Girlfriends. She maintains a home in both Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. She currently devotes her time to Big Sisters of Los Angeles and several other children's organizations. Also, in her spare time, she enjoys playing the flute, the piano, reading, walking, biking and many other outdoor activities.
English is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho
Sigma Gamma Rho
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on the campus of Butler University on November 12, 1922, by seven school teachers in Indianapolis, Indiana...
sorority. She co-stars with Steve Guttenberg
Steve Guttenberg
Steven Robert "Steve" Guttenberg is an American actor and comedian. He became well known during the 1980s, after a series of starring roles in major Hollywood films, including Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, and Short Circuit.-Early life:Guttenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, the...
and James Duval
James Duval
James Edward Duval is an American actor, who is most famous for his roles in the Gregg Araki trilogy—Totally Fucked Up, The Doom Generation, and Nowhere—in addition to Frank in Donnie Darko, Blank in May, Miguel in Independence Day and Singh in Go.-Personal life:Duval was born in Detroit, Michigan...
in the psycho horror film Cornered!
Cornered! (film)
-Plot:During their nightly poker game, a group of lowlife friends bring up a string of recent brutal murders at liquor stores. The group gets locked in at a liquor store one of them owns after the keys get lost, the group talks about collecting the bounty placed on the killer's head...
, which is directed by Daniel Maze
Daniel Maze
Daniel Maze is a Belgian film director, writer and producer who started his professional career as a DJ in the Belgian club scene in the ’90s, eventually making the transition to music producer....
. She is also the winner of the 2009 New York Horror Film Festival's Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Mona in Cornered.
Filmography
- "My Sister's KeeperMy Sister's KeeperMy Sister's Keeper is a 2004 novel written by New York Times Best Selling author Jodi Picoult. It tells the story of 13-year-old Anna, who litigates her parents for medical emancipation when she is expected to donate a kidney to her sister Kate, who is dying from leukemia.-Plot:The story takes...
" (2009)... Nurse Alice
Cornered! (film)
-Plot:During their nightly poker game, a group of lowlife friends bring up a string of recent brutal murders at liquor stores. The group gets locked in at a liquor store one of them owns after the keys get lost, the group talks about collecting the bounty placed on the killer's head...
.... Mona
Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium , in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan...
(2008).... Quincy
Good Luck Chuck
Good Luck Chuck is a 2007 romantic comedy film starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba. In the film, women find their "one true love" after having sex with a dentist named Chuck...
(2007).... Reba
Woman Thou Art Loosed
Woman Thou Art Loosed is a 2004 film directed by Michael Schultz and written by Stan Foster. It was produced by Stan Foster and Reuben Cannon. It is the 44th film or series directed by Schultz and is adopted from the self-help novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The film tells the story of a young woman...
(2004).... Prison Official
Television
- Good Luck CharlieGood Luck CharlieGood Luck Charlie is an original Disney Channel television sitcom, which premiered April 4, 2010. The series was created by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, who wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, as opposed to children only...
...Mary Lou Wentz (2010-present) - Curb Your EnthusiasmCurb Your EnthusiasmCurb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO, which premiered on October 15, 2000. As of 2011, it has completed 80 episodes over eight seasons. The series was created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself...
... Auntie Rae (2007) - The Jamie Foxx ShowThe Jamie Foxx ShowThe Jamie Foxx Show is an American television sitcom that aired on the WB Network from August 28, 1996 to January 14, 2001. The series starred Jamie Foxx, Garcelle Beauvais, Christopher B. Duncan, Ellia English, and Garrett Morris.-Synopsis:...
.... Aunt Helen King (97 episodes, 1996–2001) - MartinMartin (TV series)Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
....Mrs. Booker (3 episodes, 1994–1996)
"Kicked to the Curb" (1996 TV Episode) .... Mrs. Booker
"Go Tell It on the Martin" (1994 TV Episode) .... Mrs. Booker
"The Closer I Get to You" (1994 TV Episode) .... Mrs. Booker - The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (1 episode, 1994).... Social Worker
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Buchanans .... Social Worker - The InnocentThe InnocentThe Innocent may refer to:* The Innocent , a film directed by Luchino Visconti* The Innocent , a drama film starring Andrew Hawley, Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson...
(1994) (TV).... Rev. Poppy - The Sinbad ShowThe Sinbad ShowThe Sinbad Show is an American sitcom starring comedian Sinbad that premiered on September 16, 1993 on Fox. The show's main plot is about a bachelor taking in two orphaned children. Chuck Brown performed this sitcom's theme music...
(1 episode, 1994).... Receptionist ... aka Sinbad (UK)
(AdoptionAdoptionAdoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
) (1994 TV Episode) .... Reception - Based on an Untrue Story) (1993, TV) .... Sister Love
- Great PerformancesGreat PerformancesGreat Performances, a television series devoted to the performing arts, has been telecast on Public Broadcasting Service public television since 1972...
(1 episode, 1989) .... Queenie
(ShowboatShowboatA showboat, or show boat, was a form of theater that traveled along the waterways of the United States, especially along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers . A showboat was basically a barge that resembled a long, flat-roofed house, and in order to move down the river, it was pushed by a small tugboat...
) (TV Episode, 1989) .... Queenie - Wildcats (1986) (Uncredited) .... Marva ... aka First and Goal
- FameFame (1982 TV series)Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
(1 episode, 1982) .... Sheila
(MetamorphosisMetamorphosisMetamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure through cell growth and differentiation...
) (1982) (TV Episode) ... Sheila
Theatre
- Love in the Nick of Tyme
- Ain't Misbehavin'
- Ma Rainey's Black BottomMa Rainey's Black BottomMa Rainey's Black Bottom is a 1982 play - one of the ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle by August Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright - that chronicles the twentieth century African American experience...
- Colored Museum
- Dreamgirls
- Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
- SpunkSpunk (play)Spunk is a play by American playwright George C. Wolfe and is an adaptation of three stories by Zora Neale Hurston. Wolfe won a 1989 Obie award for best off-Broadway director for Spunk....
- Show BoatShow BoatShow Boat is a musical in two acts with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally produced in New York in 1927 and in London in 1928, and was based on the 1926 novel of the same name by Edna Ferber. The plot chronicles the lives of those living and working...
- BarnumBarnum (musical)Barnum is a musical with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman. It is based on the life of showman P. T. Barnum, covering the period from 1835 through 1880 in America and major cities of the world where Barnum took his performing companies. The production...
- NunsenseNunsenseNunsense is a musical comedy with a book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin. Originating as a line of greeting cards, Goggin expanded the concept into a cabaret that ran for 38 weeks, and eventually into a full-length musical...
- One Mo' Time
- Annie WarbucksAnnie WarbucksAnnie Warbucks is a musical with a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin. A sequel to the 1977 Tony Award-winning hit Annie, based on Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie comic strip, it begins immediately after Annie ended.-Plot:On Christmas morning in 1933,...