Brooke Elliott

{{Infobox person

| name = Brooke Elliott

| image = Brooke Elliott.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Elliott in 2013

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|11|16}}

| birth_place = Fridley, Minnesota, U.S.

| nationality =

| alma_mater = Western Michigan University (BFA)

| occupation = Actress

| yearsactive = 2000–present

| known_for = {{plainlist|

Drop Dead Diva
Sweet Magnolias

}}

Brooke Elliott (born November 16, 1974) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in musical theatre, including the US tours of Beauty and the Beast and Wicked, and the Broadway productions of Taboo and The Pirate Queen. She is known for her roles as Jane Bingum on the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva (2009–2014) and as Dana Sue Sullivan in the Netflix romantic drama Sweet Magnolias (2020–present).

Early life

Elliott was born in Fridley, Minnesota, to Robert, a city manager, and Kathleen Elliott, on November 16, 1974.{{cite web |title=Cast Profile: Brooke Elliott |url=http://skyliving.sky.com/drop-dead-diva/cast-profile-brooke-elliott |publisher=Sky Living |accessdate=May 24, 2012}} Elliott has one sister, Jamie Alexander, and one brother, Adam Elliott.{{cite web |title=Robert C. Elliott |url=http://www.floralhaven.com/obituary/user/show/template?id=7682 |publisher=FloralHavan.com |accessdate=May 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324053608/http://www.floralhaven.com/obituary/user/show/template?id=7682 |archivedate=March 24, 2012}} Her parents have said that she began to sing when she was three years old, and footage exists of her at that age singing You Light Up My Life.{{cite news |last=Sheridan |first=Patricia |title=Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast With ... Brooke Elliott |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/breakfast/patricia-sheridans-breakfast-with-brooke-elliott-307595/ |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=July 25, 2011}} Her family moved on several occasions, first to Blaine, Minnesota, and then out of state to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois.{{cite news |last=Justin |first=Neal |title=Brooke Knows Best |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-230289170.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085846/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-230289170.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2014 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Star Tribune |date=June 27, 2010 |url-access=subscription}} The family settled in Riverview, Michigan, when Elliott was a junior in high school. She graduated from Gabriel Richard Catholic High School in 1993; she appeared in high school productions while there, including in Richard III and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Elliott went on to Western Michigan University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance in 1998.{{cite news |last=Blum |first=Andrea |title=Drop dead diva: Former high school thespian earns starring role |url=http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2009/12/29/entertainment/doc4b3a37388f30c680319990.txt?viewmode=fullstory |accessdate=May 25, 2012 |newspaper=The News-Herald |date=December 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204015609/http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2009/12/29/entertainment/doc4b3a37388f30c680319990.txt?viewmode=fullstory |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Alumni |url=http://www.wmich.edu/theatre/people/alumni/ |publisher=Western Michigan University Department of Theatre |accessdate=May 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620045902/http://www.wmich.edu/theatre/people/alumni/ |archivedate=June 20, 2012}}

Elliott worked as a temp and a waitress, including working at a 1950s-themed restaurant where she had to dance on the tables every hour.{{cite news |last=Middleton |first=Paul |title=Brooke Elliott: People want to see a normal-sized person on TV |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/819809-brooke-elliott-people-want-to-see-a-normal-sized-person-being-represented-on-tv |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Metro |date=March 30, 2010}}

Career

For ten weeks in 1999, she was a member of Chicago-based stage combat theatre company Babes With Blades.{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Mike |title='Diva' puts body and soul in work |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12B382DB31832008.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611070650/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12B382DB31832008.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 11, 2014 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=October 8, 2009 |url-access=subscription}} As part of that role, she performed a scene from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Miracle Worker and Heathers. She left for her first professional theatre role as the Sugar Bowl in the US touring version of Beauty and the Beast.{{cite web |title=Brooke Elliott |url=http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/drop-dead-diva/cast/brooke-elliott |publisher=My Lifetime |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905041953/http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/drop-dead-diva/cast/brooke-elliott |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead}} She also appeared as part of the cast in the North American tour of Wicked alongside Adam Lambert, whom she later supported when he appeared on American Idol.{{cite news |last=Bierly |first=Mandi |title='Drop Dead Diva' star Brooke Elliott: Three reasons we're loving her |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/07/12/drop-dead-diva-brooke-elliott/ |accessdate=May 25, 2012 |newspaper=Popwatch |date=July 12, 2009}}{{cite news |last=Ouzounian |first=Richard |title=Wicked (Theatre review) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132002488.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329112034/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132002488.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Daily Variety |date=April 4, 2005 |url-access=subscription}}

She credits Rosie O'Donnell with getting her first Broadway role alongside Boy George in Taboo.{{cite news |last=Kinon |first=Cristina |title='Drop Dead Diva' actress Brooke Elliott says plus size isn't a minus |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-06-18/entertainment/17925962_1_tim-gunn-diva-beauty |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130124224/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-06-18/entertainment/17925962_1_tim-gunn-diva-beauty |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=NY Daily News |date=June 18, 2009}} Rosie later described her as "fresh off a Disney Cruise", but allowed her to come back for a second attempt. Elliott spent $117 to change her outfit and make-up in order to be better suited to the role; O'Donnell reimbursed Elliott when she was awarded a part in the show.{{cite news |title=Rising Star: Brooke Elliott |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/rising-star-brooke-elliott_article_20844 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Access Hollywood |date=July 22, 2009}} The show closed after only a hundred performances, but O'Donnell subsequently praised Elliott's passion for the show.{{cite news |title=For Brooke Elliott, a $117 outfit was pivotal |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D99PCTAG0.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329112030/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D99PCTAG0.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=AP Online |date=July 31, 2009 |url-access=subscription}} Elliott went on to play Majella in The Pirate Queen, which opened in Chicago in 2006 and moved to Broadway in 2007.{{cite news |last=Oxman |first=Steven |title=The Pirate Queen (Theatre review) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154815465.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329112013/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154815465.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Daily Variety |date=October 31, 2006}}

Her first film role was in the Mel Gibson film What Women Want in 2000. Her first television role was in an episode of Law & Order: Trial by Jury.{{cite web |title=Brooke Elliot stars as Jane Bingum |url=http://tvdnz.co.nz/drop-dead-diva/brooke-elliot-stars-jane-bingum-4002303 |publisher=TVNZ |accessdate=May 26, 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2009, Elliott was cast as main character Jane Bingum on Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva. Producer Craig Zadan said of Elliott's casting, "We had to find somebody who's a beautiful leading lady, who can do the comedy and drama, and with Brooke, she nailed it".{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Michael |title=Brooke Elliott to be Lifetime's 'Diva' |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117987816?refCatId=14 |accessdate=May 25, 2012 |newspaper=Variety |date=June 19, 2008}} After the pilot, The New York Times described Elliott as "convincing, and even affecting, at every turn",{{cite news |last=Stanley |first=Alessandra |title=Chubby Legal Beagle, Meet Your Inner Skinny Siren |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/arts/television/10fat.html |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 9, 2009}} and the Los Angeles Times said she was "a stage actress with fabulous comic timing and enormous dramatic flexibility". Elliott also sings on the soundtrack to the series.{{cite news |title=Drop Dead Diva Original Television Soundtrack Available Now on iTunes and Amazon.com |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-228618402.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611091452/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-228618402.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 11, 2014 |accessdate=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=Telecommunications Weekly |date=June 16, 2010 |url-access=subscription}} The show ended after its sixth season in 2014.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/drop-dead-diva-finale-brooke-713610 |title='Drop Dead Diva' Finale: Brooke Elliott on the Series Ending and What She'll Miss About Jane (Q&A) |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 20, 2014 }}

In 2016, Elliott starred opposite Katey Sagal in the CBS comedy pilot Upper Middle Bogan inspired by the Australian series.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/drop-dead-diva-star-brooke-871610 |title='Drop Dead Diva' Star Brooke Elliott Boards CBS Family Comedy (Exclusive) |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 29, 2016 |accessdate=March 15, 2018}} It was not ordered to series. In 2018, she went to star in the ABC comedy pilot created by Bobby Bowman about a dysfunctional family struggling with mental illness.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/drop-dead-diva-star-set-as-female-lead-abc-family-comedy-1092912 |title='Drop Dead Diva' Star Set as Female Lead in ABC Family Comedy |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 7, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/brooke-elliott-untitled-bobby-bowman-comedy-1202721215/ |title='Drop Dead Diva' Alum Brooke Elliott to Star in Bobby Bowman ABC Comedy Pilot |first=Ariana |last=Brockington |date=March 7, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018}}

In 2019, Elliot was cast in a leading role on the Netflix romantic drama series Sweet Magnolias.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/sweet-magnolias-monica-potter-brooke-elliott-heather-headley-star-netflix-series-sherryl-woods-novels-1202624042/ |title=Sweet Magnolias: Monica Potter, Brooke Elliott & Heather Headley To Headline Netflix Series |first1=Nellie |last1=Andreeva |date=May 30, 2019}} In 2022, she executive produced and starred as a country music superstar in the Lifetime holiday movie A Country Christmas Harmony.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/lifetime-holiday-movies-whoopi-goldberg-mario-lopez-brooke-elliott-patti-labelle-keshia-knight-pulliam-cast-1234960424/|title=Lifetime Greenlights Holiday Movies Starring Mario Lopez, Jana Kramer, Brooke Elliott, Patti LaBelle & Keshia Knight Pulliam|first1=Denise|last1=Petski|date=February 28, 2022}}

Personal life

During her time as the leading character in Drop Dead Diva, Elliott has discussed the perception of plus-size actresses on television, and describes her body type as normal sized, stating "The majority of women in America look like me. It's one of the things I love about the show."{{cite news |last=Cooney Fitzpatrick |first=Beth |title='Drop Dead Diva' Star Brooke Elliott on Her Madonna Shoes, Victoria Principal Products, and Being a Real Diva! |url=http://main.stylelist.com/2010/06/04/drop-dead-diva-brooke-elliott-style-interview/ |accessdate=May 26, 2012 |newspaper=StyleList |date=June 4, 2010}}

Credits

= Filmography =

class="wikitable sortable" \|+Film, television and theatre roles
Year ! Title ! Role ! Other notes
2000	What Women Want	Woman in park	Film
2003 \|Taboo \| Big Sue \| Broadway musical
2005 \|Law & Order: Trial by Jury \| Denise Bell \| Episode: "Vigilante"
2005, 2007 \|Wicked \|Madame Morrible (understudy) and ensemble \| Broadway musical, US Tour + Los Angeles
2007 \|The Pirate Queen \| Majella \| Broadway musical
2009–2014 \|Drop Dead Diva \|Jane Bingum \| Main role
2016 \|Furst Born \|Amber \|CBS pilot
2017 \|Trew Calling \|Kendra \|
2018 \|Crazy Wonderful \|Keri-Ann \|ABC pilot
2019 \|Dolly Parton's Heartstrings \|Nancy \|Episode: "If I Had Wings"
2019 \|More Beautiful for Having Been Broken \| Kat \|
2020–present \|Sweet Magnolias \|Dana Sue Sullivan \|Main role
2022 \|A Country Christmas Harmony \|Chrissy Kessler \| Television film, also executive producer

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Film, television and theatre roles

Year

! Title

! Role

! Other notes

2000

What Women Want

Woman in park

Film

2003

|Taboo

| Big Sue

| Broadway musical

2005

|Law & Order: Trial by Jury

| Denise Bell

| Episode: "Vigilante"

2005, 2007

|Wicked

|Madame Morrible (understudy) and ensemble

| Broadway musical, US Tour + Los Angeles

2007

|The Pirate Queen

| Majella

| Broadway musical

2009–2014

|Drop Dead Diva

|Jane Bingum

| Main role

2016

|Furst Born

|Amber

|CBS pilot

2017

|Trew Calling

|Kendra

2018

|Crazy Wonderful

|Keri-Ann

|ABC pilot

2019

|Dolly Parton's Heartstrings

|Nancy

|Episode: "If I Had Wings"

2019

|More Beautiful for Having Been Broken

| Kat

2020–present

|Sweet Magnolias

|Dana Sue Sullivan

|Main role

2022

|A Country Christmas Harmony

|Chrissy Kessler

| Television film, also executive producer

=Discography=

==Cast recordings==

Taboo – Original Broadway Cast (2003) – as Big Sue
The Pirate Queen – Original Broadway Cast (2007) – as Majella

==Compilation albums==

Drop Dead Diva – Music from the Original Television Series (2010)

Awards

class="wikitable"
Year ! Award ! Nominated work ! Result
2009 \| Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy \| Drop Dead Diva \| {{nom}}
2010 \| Gracie Award for Female Rising Star in a Comedy Series \| Drop Dead Diva \| {{won}}
2011 \| Prism Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series \| Drop Dead Diva \| {{nom}}
2011 \| Women's Image Network Awards for Best Actress Comedy Series \| Drop Dead Diva \| {{won}}
2014 \| Prism Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series \| Drop Dead Diva \| {{nom}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Award

! Nominated work

! Result

2009

| Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy

| Drop Dead Diva

| {{nom}}

2010

| Gracie Award for Female Rising Star in a Comedy Series

| Drop Dead Diva