:Ellen Greene
{{short description|American actress and singer}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ellen Greene
| image = Ellen Greene - Glory.jpg
| alt = Photo of Ellen Greene from the film Glory! Glory! (1989)
| caption = Greene in Glory! Glory! (1989)
| birth_date =
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| years_active = 1966–present
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Tibor Hardik|1990|1997|end=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Christian Klikovits|2003|2007|end=divorced}}
}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|singer}}
}}
Ellen Greene is an American actress and singer. She has had a long and varied career as a singer, particularly in cabaret, as an actress and singer in numerous stage productions,{{IBDB name|71741}} particularly musical theatre, as well as having performed in many films and television series. Her best-known roles are as Audrey in the original stage play and film adaptation of Little Shop of Horrors, and as Vivian Charles in the ABC series Pushing Daisies.
Personal life
Greene was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother was a guidance counselor, and her father was a dentist.{{cite web |last1=Klein |first1=Alvin |title='I Love Being Different Characters' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/06/nyregion/i-love-being-different-characters.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=23 November 2021 |ref=NYT-DifCha |date=6 March 1983|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524134948/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/06/nyregion/i-love-being-different-characters.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/12/08/going-greene|title=Gay Mens Chorus - Ellen Greene - Gay Holiday News|date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=February 13, 2016}} She attended W. Tresper Clarke High School in Westbury, New York. She spent summers at Cejwin Camps in Port Jervis, New York, where she performed in musical theatre productions, including the role of Tzeitel in a 1966 production of Fiddler on the Roof. She had a relationship with puppeteer Martin P. Robinson.[http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ellen-greene/bio/149082 Ellen Greene biography], tvguide.com; accessed June 11, 2017.Staff. [http://people.com/archive/puppeteer-martin-robinson-finds-his-work-life-blooming-in-the-maw-of-a-man-munching-plant-vol-20-no-11/ "Puppeteer Martin Robinson Finds His Work Life Blooming in the Maw of a Man-Munching Plant"] People, September 12, 1983 Her first marriage was to Tibor Hardik. She married Christian Klikovits on September 25, 2003; they have since divorced.{{cite web|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/stage.php?ak=6861|title=Ever Greene|work=Metro Weekly|access-date=February 13, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415174228/http://metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/stage.php?ak=6861|archive-date=April 15, 2014}}
Career
Greene's career began as a nightclub singer in clubs such as The Brothers and Sisters, Continental Baths, Grand Finale, and Reno Sweeney's. She received rave reviews from critics such as Rex Reed, George Bell, and John S. Wilson. Around this time, she befriended Peter Allen. Her first starring role on Broadway was as the lead in the unsuccessful Broadway show Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It), which had 7 previews in 1973 but closed before officially opening.[http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=1059] Internet Broadway Database, retrieved November 24, 2017 She then played the starring role of Chrissy in Joseph Papp's production of In the Boom Boom Room at the Off-Broadway Public Theatre in November to December 1974.[http://www.lortel.org/Archives/Production/2755 In the Boom Boom Room] lortel.org, retrieved November 24, 2017 Her reviews brought her to the attention of Paul Mazursky, who was at that time casting Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976).Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/article/in-her-own-words-little-shops-ellen-greene-remembers-her-friend-and-mentor-filmmaker-paul-mazursky-com-324518# "In Her Own Words: Little Shop's Ellen Greene Remembers Her Friend and Mentor, Filmmaker Paul Mazursky"] Playbill, July 21, 2014 She was cast in the role of Sarah, her first starring role in a film.[http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/AbbrView.aspx?s=&Movie=5580 8 Next Stop, Greenwich Village] afi.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
Continuing her work with Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival, Greene next played the role of Jenny in The Three Penny Opera (1976) at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center, for which she was nominated for a 1977 Tony Award, Featured Actress In A Musical.[http://www.playbill.com/production/threepenny-opera-vivian-beaumont-theatre-vault-0000011266 The Three Penny Opera] Playbill (vault), retrieved November 24, 2017
In addition to a number of other productions with the New York Shakespeare Festival and numerous other companies, Greene formed a close working relationship with the WPA Theatre, where she met Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Their close, long-lasting friendship led to her landing the role of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, which she reprised in the film version opposite Rick Moranis.[http://www.lortel.org/Archives/Production/1111 Little Shop of Horrors] lortel.org, retrieved November 24, 2017
Greene has worked extensively in theater, such as the part of Suzanne/The Little Rose in The Little Prince and the Aviator (1981).[http://www.playbill.com/production/the-little-prince-and-the-aviator-alvin-theatre-vault-0000000876# The Little Prince and the Aviator] Playbill, retrieved November 24, 2017[https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-little-prince-and-the-aviator-4153 The Little Prince and the Aviator] ibdb.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
She has worked in films such as I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982),[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79015/im-dancing-as-fast-as-i-can "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can"] tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 Talk Radio
(1987),[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/20303/talk-radio Talk Radio"] tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 and Pump Up the Volume'' (1990).[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/18430/pump-up-the-volume "Pump Up the Volume"] tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
She has appeared on television in, among other programs, Miami Vice, The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Cybill, Law & Order, Suddenly Susan, The X-Files, and Heroes. In 1983 she was the voice of Creeping Ivy in the animated TV special The Magic of Herself the Elf.
Greene released an album in 2004 entitled In His Eyes, on which she was accompanied by her husband and musical director, Christian Klikovits. Other work includes the role of Vivian Charles on the television series Pushing Daisies (2007)Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/article/diva-talk-chatting-with-pushing-daisies-star-ellen-greene-plus-clarks-fifteen-seconds-of-grace-com-145450# "DIVA TALK: Chatting with 'Pushing Daisies' Star Ellen Greene Plus Clark's 'Fifteen Seconds of Grace' "] Playbill, November 16, 2007 and the voice of Dolly Gopher in the animated Out of Jimmy's Head. Greene was the voice of the Priscilla Presley type of character Goldie in the Don Bluth film Rock-a-Doodle (1991).[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/88494/rock-a-doodle Rock-a-Doodle] tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
In July and August 2009, Greene starred as Miss Adelaide in a concert version of the musical Guys and Dolls, which had a 3-day engagement at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. Her co-stars included Scott Bakula as Nathan Detroit, Brian Stokes Mitchell as Sky Masterson, and Jessica Biel as Sarah Brown.Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/article/luck-be-a-lady-guys-and-dolls-in-concert-plays-the-hollywood-bowl-july-31-aug-2-com-163069# " 'Luck Be a Lady': 'Guys and Dolls' in Concert Plays the Hollywood Bowl July 31-Aug. 2"] Playbill, July 31, 2009 In 2011, she appeared in five episodes on the soap opera The Young and the Restless as Primrose DeVille.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Ellen-Greene-Soaps-1027289.aspx|title=Ellen Greene Soaps Up for a Gig on The Young and the Restless|date=January 4, 2011|work=TVGuide.com|access-date=February 13, 2016}}
Greene performed in the musical Betwixt! at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End from July 26 to August 20, 2011.Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/article/ellen-greene-is-betwixt-in-new-london-musical-opening-july-28-com-181288# "Ellen Greene Is 'Betwixt!' in New London Musical, Opening July 28"] Playbill, July 28, 2011
She appeared in two episodes of the new ABC Family show Bunheads (2012), alongside Sutton Foster and Kelly Bishop.Champion, Lindsay. [https://www.broadway.com/buzz/162542/barre-hopping-sutton-foster-copes-with-devastating-news-on-bunheads/ "Barre Hopping: Sutton Foster Copes With Devastating News on 'Bunheads' "] broadway.com, June 19, 2012 She portrayed Doctor Gale Macones in The Walking Dead Webisodes: The Oath.{{cite web|url=http://www.allthatsepic.com/television/watch-walking-dead-season-4-webisodes-online-now/|title=Watch "The Walking Dead" Season 4 Webisodes Online NowAll That's Epic - Epic Cosplay, Gaming, Comic-Con, Movies, Anime and More|date=October 1, 2013|work=All That's Epic - Epic Cosplay, Gaming, Comic-Con, Movies, Anime and More|access-date=February 13, 2016}}
In 2015, Greene reprised her signature role as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors in the staged concert at the New York City Center as part of their Encores! Off-Center Series.Schulman, Michael. [http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/06/eternally-audrey "Eternally Audrey"], The New Yorker, July 6, 2015 Aged 64 at the time, there was a wide 30-year age gap between her and the show's male lead, Jake Gyllenhaal, 34.
Greene performed in the 2016 Democratic National Convention's "Fight Song" video.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/07/27/democratic-national-convention-hillary-clinton-celebrity-supporters-fight-song-dnc-video/87602872|title=Hillary Clinton's celeb supporters unite for 'Fight Song' DNC video|last=McDermott|first=Maeve|date=July 27, 2016|work=USA Today|access-date=August 9, 2016}}
Filmography
File:Ellen Greene crop.jpg star Swoosie Kurtz in July 2008]]
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1976
|Sarah Roth | |
| 1982
|Karen Mulligan | |
| 1986
|Audrey | |
| rowspan="2" |1988
|Annette Uttanzi | |
| Talk Radio
|Ellen | |
| 1990
|Jan Emerson | |
| rowspan="2" |1991
|Goldie (voice) |
| Stepping Out
|Maxine | |
| 1992
|Judy | |
| rowspan="3" |1994
|Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult |Louise | |
| Wagons East
|Belle | |
| Léon: The Professional
|Margie Lando, Mathilda's mother | |
| 1995
|Elizabeth Wyatt | |
| rowspan="2" |1996
|{{sortname|An|Occasional Hell|nolink=1}} |Della | |
| One Fine Day
|Elaine Lieberman | |
| 1997
|States of Control |Carol | |
| 1998
|Louise Smith | |
| 2001
|Clarice | |
| rowspan="2" |2003
|{{sortname|The|Cooler}} |Doris | |
| Love Object
|Typing Supervisor | |
| 2010
|Privileged |Mrs. Rothman |Video |
| 2016
|Muddy Corman |Dawn Denford | |
| 2017
|Love's Last Resort |Ms. Leigh | |
| 2019
|{{sortname|The|Untold Story|nolink=1}} |Lydia | |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1977
|Paula Class |TV miniseries |
| 1978
|{{sortname|The|Rock Rainbow|nolink=1}} |Jess |Television film |
| 1983
|{{sortname|The|Magic of Herself the Elf}} |Creeping Ivy (voice) |
| 1985
|Darlene |Episode: "Made for Each Other" |
| 1987
|Morning Maggie |Maggie McAllister |Television film |
| 1988
|Superman 50th Anniversary |Ariel Dickenson |Television film; documentary |
| rowspan="3" |1989
|Ruth |Television film |
| CBS Summer Playhouse
|Sally Maggio |Episode: "Road Show" |
| Dinner at Eight
|Kitty Packard |Television film |
| 1994
|{{sortname|The|Adventures of Pete & Pete}} |Abilene Jones |Episode: "Time Tunnel" |
| rowspan="2" |1995
|Sharon |2 episodes |
| Law & Order
|Karen Gaines |Episode: "Bitter Fruit" |
| 1997
|Elizabeth Brodkin |Episode: "Above Reproach" |
| 2000
|Harriet Graham |Episode: "The Break Up" |
| rowspan="2" |2002
|{{sortname|The|X-Files}} |Vicki Louise Burdick |Episode: "Improbable" |
| Crossing Jordan
|Mrs. Dunham |Episode: "Secrets & Lies: Part 2" |
| rowspan="2" |2005
|Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder |Carly |Television film |
| Fielder's Choice
|Jill |Television film |
| 2006
|Dolly Gopher (voice) |Television film |
| 2007–08
|Dolly Gopher (voice) |
| rowspan="2" |2007–09
|Main role |
| Heroes
|Virginia Grey |3 episodes |
| 2009
|Batman: The Brave and the Bold |Mrs. Manface (voice) |
| 2011
|{{sortname|The|Young and the Restless}} |Recurring role |
| rowspan="2" |2012
|Gertrude Washburn (voice) |
| Bunheads
|Wiccan Friend |2 episodes |
| rowspan="2" |2013
|Mrs. Komeda |Episode: "Sorbet" |
| The Walking Dead: The Oath
|Gale |2 episodes |
| 2017
|Mrs. Sugarby (voice) |
Stage
Sources: Internet Off-Broadway Database;[http://www.lortel.org/Archives/CreditableEntity/8985 "Greene Off-Broadway"] lortel.org, retrieved November 24, 2017 Playbill Vault[http://www.playbill.com/person/ellen-greene-vault-0000078695# "Greene Broadway"] Playbill (vault), retrieved November 24, 2017
- Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It) (1973) (never officially opened)[http://www.playbill.com/production/rachael-lily-rosenbloom-and-dont-you-ever-forget-it-broadhurst-theatre-vault-0000002029# Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It)] Playbill (vault), retrieved November 2017
- In the Boom Boom Room (1974) (Off-Broadway)
- The Threepenny Opera (1976) (Broadway)
- The Threepenny Opera (1977) (Delacorte Theater) (return engagement)
- Funny Face (1978) (Studio Arena Theater)
- Teeth 'n' Smiles (1979) (Off-Broadway)Gussow, Mel. [https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/14/archives/stage-teeth-n-smiles-world-of-rock-n-roll-decline-of-the-60s.html "Stage: 'Teeth 'n' Smiles', World of Rock 'n' Roll"] The New York Times, August 14, 1979
- Wake Up, It's Time to Go to Bed (1979) (Off-Broadway) by Carson Kievman [http://www.mysteryparkarts.org/WAKEUPPAGE.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312031202/http://www.mysteryparkarts.org/WAKEUPPAGE.html |date=March 12, 2022 }}
- They're Playing Our Song (1979) (US national tour)Green, Kay (ed.) [https://books.google.com/books?id=KDKFHniTy1YC&dq=%22Victor+Garber%22+%22They're+Playing+Our+Song+%22&pg=PA252 "'They're Playing Our Song'"] Broadway Musicals, Show by Show, Hal Leonard Corporation, 1996, {{ISBN|0793577500}}, p.252
- The Little Prince and the Aviator (1982) (never officially opened)
- Little Shop of Horrors (1982) (Off-Off Broadway showcase, Off-Broadway and London)
- Starting Monday (1990) (Off-Broadway)
- Weird Romance (1992) (Off-Broadway)
- Three Men on a Horse (1993) (Broadway)
- Oliver! (1997) (North Shore Music Theatre)
- The First Picture Show (1999) (San Francisco)McGrath, Sean. [http://www.playbill.com/article/ellen-greene-picked-for-picture-show-at-san-frans-act-may-6-june-6-com-81099# "Ellen Greene Picked for Picture Show at San Fran's ACT, May 6-June 6"], Playbill.com, April 7, 1999.
- A Broadway Diva Christmas (2005) (Women's Project)Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/article/a-broadway-diva-christmas-with-greene-days-brier-pedi-and-schaffel-begins-nov-23-com-129342# "A Broadway Diva Christmas — with Greene, Days, Brier, Pedi and Schaffel — Begins Nov. 23"] Playbill, November 23, 2005
- Guys and Dolls (2009) (Hollywood Bowl concert)
- Betwixt! (2011) (London)[https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/roper-replaces-greene-in-betwixt-117116/ Betwixt!] officiallondontheatre.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
- Little Shop of Horrors (2015) (Encores! Off-Center)
Awards and nominations
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- {{official website}}
- {{IMDb name|0338746}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{iobdb name|8985}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greene, Ellen}}
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:20th-century American singers
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:20th-century American women singers
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:Actresses from Brooklyn
Category:American film actresses
Category:American musical theatre actresses
Category:Jewish American actresses
Category:American stage actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:People from Nassau County, New York
Category:Singers from New York City