Tracee Ellis Ross
{{Short description|American actress (born 1972)}}
{{Distinguish|Tracey Ellis|Tracey Ross}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tracee Ellis Ross
| image = TraceeEllisRossbyErikMelvin.jpg
| caption = Ross in 2018
| birthname = Tracee Joy Silberstein
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|10|29}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| alma_mater = Brown University (BA)
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actress
- singer
- producer
- television host
}}
| yearsactive = 1996–present
| mother = Diana Ross
| father = Robert Ellis Silberstein
| relatives = {{plainlist|
- Rhonda Ross Kendrick
(half-sister) - Evan Ross (half-brother)
- Barbara Ross-Lee (aunt)
}}
| website = {{URL|http://traceeellisross.com/}}
}}
Tracee Joy Silberstein (born October 29, 1972), known professionally as Tracee Ellis Ross, is an American actress. She is known for her lead roles in the television series Girlfriends (2000–2008) and Black-ish (2014–2022) receiving nominations for five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the latter.{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2011/3/28/18610610/michelle-obama-books-stars-to-mentor-hilary-swank-geena-davis-anna-deavere-smith-michelle-kwan|title=Michelle Obama books stars to mentor: Hilary Swank, Geena Davis, Anna Deavere Smith, Michelle Kwan|last=Sweet|first=Lynn|date=March 28, 2011|access-date=April 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110330065424/http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/03/michelle_obama_books_stars_for.html|archive-date=March 30, 2011|publisher=Chicago Sun Times}}
Ross is a daughter of actress and Motown recording artist Diana Ross and Robert Ellis Silberstein. She began acting in independent films and variety series. She hosted the pop-culture magazine The Dish on Lifetime. From 2000 to 2008, Ross played the starring role of Joan Clayton in the UPN/CW comedy series Girlfriends, and received two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for the role. She also has appeared in the films Hanging Up (2000), I-See-You.Com (2006), and Daddy's Little Girls (2007), before returning to television playing Dr. Carla Reed on the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines (2011), winning her third NAACP Image Award for the lattermost.
From 2014 to 2022, Ross starred as Dr. Rainbow Johnson in the ABC comedy series, Black-ish. Her work on it has earned her six NAACP Image Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. She has also received nominations for two Critics' Choice Television Awards and five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. In 2019, she co-created a prequel spin-off of Black-ish titled Mixed-ish. In 2020, she starred in and recorded the soundtrack album for the musical film The High Note.
Early life
Ross was born October 29, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, to Motown singer/actress Diana Ross and music business manager Robert Ellis Silberstein. Her father is Jewish{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/diana-rosss-daughter-tracee-ellis-ross-her-time-to-shine-vol-82-no-25/|title=Diana Ross's Daughter Tracee Ellis Ross: Her Time to Shine|date=December 15, 2014|work=PEOPLE|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-date=May 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526191218/https://people.com/archive/diana-rosss-daughter-tracee-ellis-ross-her-time-to-shine-vol-82-no-25/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-mr-mrs-diana-ross-vol-5-no-3/|title=Mr. & Mrs. Diana Ross?|last=Windeler|first=Robert|date=January 26, 1976|work=PEOPLE|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005142041/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-mr-mrs-diana-ross-vol-5-no-3/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/tracee_ellis_ross_blackish_and_jewish/|title=Tracee Ellis Ross: Black-ish and Jewish|last=Miller|first=Gerri|date=January 20, 2015|website=InterfaithFamily.com|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-date=July 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709160724/https://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/tracee_ellis_ross_blackish_and_jewish/|url-status=live}} while her mother is African-American and a Baptist.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tracee-ellis-ross-malcolm-jamal-reed-between-246806 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Marisa |last=Guthrie |title=Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm-Jamal Warner Talk 'Reed Between the Lines' |date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428061013/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tracee-ellis-ross-malcolm-jamal-reed-between-246806 |url-status=live}} She adopted the name Tracee Ellis Ross, wishing to retain both of her parents' names after her father dropped the name Silberstein.{{cite web |last1=Hirschberg |first1=Lynn |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Has Definitive Proof That Diana Ross Is the Greatest Mom of All Time |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/tracee-ellis-ross-black-ish-emmys-diana-ross |website=W Magazine |date=September 7, 2017 |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213123647/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/tracee-ellis-ross-black-ish-emmys-diana-ross |url-status=live}} She has a younger sister, Chudney Lane Silberstein, and an older half-sister, Rhonda Ross Kendrick. Actor and musician Evan Ross is her half-brother.{{cite news |last=Whitall |first=Susan |date=February 26, 2011 |title=Diana Ross opens up on 'Oprah' show |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-detroit-news/20110226/282394100942810 |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629173512/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-detroit-news/20110226/282394100942810 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |newspaper=The Detroit News |via=PressReader}}
In the 80s, Tracee was photographed along with her mother, Rhonda and Chudney by Andy Warhol. Her mother used her own photo for the cover of her 1982 album, Silk Electric, for which Warhol was given credit.
When her mother married Arne Næss Jr. in 1985, Tracee gained three step-siblings: Katinka, Christoffer, and folk singer Leona Naess. She remains on close terms with all of them. Before her mother and Naess divorced in 2000, they welcomed her two half-brothers, Ross Arne in 1987 and Evan Ross in 1988.
Ross attended The Dalton School in Manhattan, Riverdale Country School in the Bronx and the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. She was a model in her teens. She attended Brown University, where she appeared in plays, and graduated in 1994 with a theatre degree. She later worked in the fashion industry as a model and contributing fashion editor to Mirabella and New York magazines. Ross is the recipient of an Honorary degree from Spelman College{{cite magazine |last=Christian |first=Margena A. |date=April 17, 2006 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross: 'Girlfriends' TV star takes center stage her way |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hDoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58 |access-date=February 19, 2009 |magazine=Jet |pages=58–63 |via=Google Books}}
Ross has ptosis, slightly affecting her left eyelid. Following a speech at the American Music Awards, Internet trolls commented on her condition, leading her to post an Instagram video saying, "I know y'all make fun of my eyes, you know what I mean? Well, f**ck off, 'cause it's not my fault, alright? My body does what it does, I don't know why. But sometimes when I'm tired, this one just gives up, and it's like, 'Goodnight!'..."Go ahead, make fun of my eyes, OK? But I think they're nice, I think they're so nice, I do."{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Andrea |date=November 20, 2017 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Explains Why Her Eye Was Twitching at the AMAs |url=https://www.allure.com/story/tracee-ellis-ross-defends-eye-twitch-american-music-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121221212/https://www.allure.com/story/tracee-ellis-ross-defends-eye-twitch-american-music-awards |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-10 |website=Allure}}
Career
=Early works=
Ross made her big-screen debut in 1996, playing a Jewish/African-American woman in the independent feature film Far Harbor. The following year, she debuted as host of The Dish, a Lifetime TV magazine series keeping tabs on popular culture.{{cite web |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Biography |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/tracee-ellis-ross/bio/177537 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517125457/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/tracee-ellis-ross/bio/177537 |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014 |website=TV Guide |publisher=}} In 1998, she starred as a former high school track star who remained silent about having been abused at the hands of a coach, in the NBC made-for-TV movie Race Against Fear: A Moment of Truth.{{cite news |date=September 8, 1998 |title=Ross' daughter still auditions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QttgAAAAIBAJ&pg=6255,375290&dq=tracee-ellis-ross&hl=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211140420/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QttgAAAAIBAJ&pg=6255%2C375290&dq=tracee-ellis-ross&hl=en |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |newspaper=Rochester Sentinel |pages=12 |agency=Associated Press}} Her next role was an independent feature film titled Sue. In 2000, she landed her first major studio role in Diane Keaton's Hanging Up. That same year, she broke into comedy as a regular performer in the MTV series The Lyricist Lounge Show, a hip-hop variety series mixing music, dramatic sketches, and comedic skits.{{cite news |date=2001-02-25 |title=UPN's Girlfriends Tries to Survive |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2001/02/25/upns-girlfriends-tries-to-survive/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-02-15 |newspaper=South Florida Sun-Sentinel}} In February 2006, she starred in Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" MTV music video, playing the role of the best friend of Kanye's ex.
=2000–2013: Breakthrough with ''Girlfriends''=
File:Mara Brock Akil and Girlfriends cast.jpgRoss's biggest career achievement came when she landed the lead role in the hit UPN/The CW series Girlfriends, starring as the show's protagonist Joan Carol Clayton — a successful (and often neurotic) lawyer looking for love, challenges, and adventure. The series centered on four (later three) young African-American women, and their male best friend.{{cite web |date=February 14, 2008 |title=After 8 years, 'Girlfriends' comes to an end |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/after-8-years-girlfriends-comes-end-wbna23172727 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415035738/https://www.today.com/popculture/after-8-years-girlfriends-comes-end-wbna23172727 |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=TODAY.com |agency=Associated Press}} In 2007, Ross won an NAACP Image Award in the category, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on the series. She won a second Image Award for the role in 2009.{{cite magazine |last=Hite |first=N'Neka |date=February 12, 2009 |title='Bees' big at NAACP Image Awards |url=https://variety.com/2009/biz/awards/bees-big-at-naacp-image-awards-1118000120/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |magazine=Variety}}
In 2007, Ross starred with her brother Evan Ross and Queen Latifah in the HBO movie Life Support.{{cite news|last=Hale|first=Mike|title=The Week Ahead: March 4–10 > Television|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/arts/04weekahead.html|access-date=April 8, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 4, 2007|archive-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110210609/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/arts/04weekahead.html|url-status=live}} That same year, she appeared in the Tyler Perry theatrical movie Daddy's Little Girls.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=9467 |title=Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls Movie Review – Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls Movie Trailer |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=February 15, 2007 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |first=Wesley |last=Morris |archive-date=March 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329022403/http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=9467 |url-status=live}} She appeared in the 2009 film Labor Pains.{{cite web|url=http://singleinla.today.com/2008/07/10/tracee-ellis-ross-fabulous-single-fashionista/ |title=Newsvine |access-date=January 10, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827195251/http://singleinla.today.com/2008/07/10/tracee-ellis-ross-fabulous-single-fashionista/ |archive-date=August 27, 2008}}
In 2010, she appeared in an episode of Private Practice as a pregnant doctor.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/private-practice/war/episode/1338586/summary.html |title=Private Practice: War Episode Summary |publisher=TV.com |date=February 27, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |archive-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505024324/http://www.tv.com/private-practice/war/episode/1338586/summary.html |url-status=live}} In 2011, Ross appeared in four episodes of CSI as the estranged wife of Laurence Fishburne's character.{{cite web |url=http://www.daemonstv.com/2011/01/28/csi-all-that-cremains-season-11-episode-14-photos-with-tracee-ellis-ross/ |title=CSI "All That Cremains" Season 11 Episode 14 Photos With Tracee Ellis Ross |publisher=Daemon's TV |date=January 28, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |archive-date=February 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201025643/http://www.daemonstv.com/2011/01/28/csi-all-that-cremains-season-11-episode-14-photos-with-tracee-ellis-ross/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bscreview.com/2011/04/csi-losts-l-scott-caldwell-to-guest-star/ |title=CSI – Lost's L. Scott Caldwell to Guest Star |publisher=Bscreview.com |access-date=April 8, 2011}}
Ross starred in the sitcom Reed Between the Lines with Malcolm-Jamal Warner airing on BET starting in October 2011. She won a third NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series in 2012 for her performance in the series. In August 2012, it was announced that Ross would not return for Season Two.{{cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/its-official-tracee-ellis-ross-leaves-bets-reed-between-the-lines|title=It's Official – Tracee Ellis Ross Leaves BET's 'Reed Between The Lines'|publisher=Shadow and Act|access-date=May 16, 2014|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623122816/https://shadowandact.com/its-official-tracee-ellis-ross-leaves-bets-reed-between-the-lines|url-status=live}} In 2011, she appeared in the Lifetime film Five directed by Alicia Keys.{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=July 27, 2011 |title=Lifetime's 'Five' gets a premiere date, Roseanne makes a press tour cameo |url=http://screenertv.com/blogs/lifetimes_five_gets_a_premiere_date_roseanne_makes_a_press_tour_cameo-2011-07/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214102947/http://screenertv.com/blogs/lifetimes_five_gets_a_premiere_date_roseanne_makes_a_press_tour_cameo-2011-07/ |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2014 |website=ScreenerTV}} The performance in the film earned her nominations for an NAACP Image Award and Black Reel Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series. In 2012, Ross starred in the NBC drama pilot Bad Girls.{{cite web |date=2012-05-15 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross To Star In NBC Prison Drama Pilot "Bad Girls" |url=https://blavity.com/tracee-ellis-ross-to-star-in-nbc-prison-drama-pilot-bad-girls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624000700/https://shadowandact.com/tracee-ellis-ross-to-star-in-nbc-prison-drama-pilot-bad-girls |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |website=Blavity |publisher=Shadow and Act}}
= 2014–present: ''Black-ish'' and mainstream success =
File:Tracee Ellis Ross 2014 NAACP Image Awards.jpg
In 2014, Ross was cast in the ABC comedy series Black-ish, opposite Anthony Anderson.{{cite magazine |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2014-02-19 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross To Co-Star In Anthony Anderson Pilot; Ricky Blitt Pilot Adds One |url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/tracee-ellis-ross-to-co-star-in-anthony-anderson-pilot-ricky-blitt-pilot-adds-one-686160/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |magazine=Deadline}}{{cite web |date=2014-02-20 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Will Play Anthony Anderson's Wife In ABC's Kenya Barris Pilot, 'Black-ish' |url=https://blavity.com/tracee-ellis-ross-will-play-anthony-andersons-wife-in-abcs-kenya-barris-pilot-black-ish |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224851/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tracee-ellis-ross-will-play-anthony-andersons-wife-in-abcs-kenya-barris-pilot-black-ish |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |website=Blavity |publisher=Shadow and Act}} She plays the female lead role of Dr. Rainbow Johnson. The series debuted with generally positive reviews from critics.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/black-ish |title=Black-ish : Season 1 |website=Metacritic |access-date=September 23, 2014 |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703202107/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/black-ish |url-status=live}} Ross received three NAACP Image Awards and received nominations for two Critics' Choice Television Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance in the series.{{cite news |date=December 9, 2014 |title='Get On Up,' 'Selma,' 'Dear White People' Score NAACP Image Award Nominations (Full List) |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/get-on-up-selma-dear-white-people-score-naacp-image-award-nominations-full-list-1201374910/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226181650/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/get-on-up-selma-dear-white-people-score-naacp-image-award-nominations-full-list-1201374910/ |archive-date=December 26, 2014 |access-date=June 28, 2015 |work=Variety}} Ross's 2016 nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series was the first for an African-American woman in that category in 30 years.{{Cite web |author=Hairston |first=Tahirah |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Rami Malek Is the Emmys' First Non-White Best Actor in a Drama in 18 Years |url=http://fusion.net/story/348535/rami-malek-mr-robot-emmy/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325123857/http://fusion.net/story/348535/rami-malek-mr-robot-emmy/ |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |access-date=September 19, 2016 |website=fusion.net |publisher=Fusion Media Group}} The same year, Ross and Anderson faced off on Spike's Lip Sync Battle. She emerged victorious with performances of Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" and Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield".
In 2015, Ross was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts (honoris causa) by Brown University.[https://news.brown.edu/articles/2015/05/citations#Ross "Brown awards six honorary doctorates: Tracee Ellis Ross, Doctor of Fine Arts"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130041425/https://news.brown.edu/articles/2015/05/citations#Ross |date=November 30, 2016}}, Brown University, May 23, 2015. Ross hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016, and the American Music Awards in 2017 and 2018.{{Cite web |last=Courtney |first=Ian |date=March 27, 2019 |title=Dates Set For 2019 American Music Awards |url=https://celebrityaccess.com/2019/03/27/dates-set-for-2019-american-music-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404001038/https://celebrityaccess.com/2019/03/27/dates-set-for-2019-american-music-awards/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |website=Celebrity Access}} She also hosted The Fashion Awards in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/tracee-ellis-ross-headline-2019-fashion-awards-in-london-1203359857/|title=Tracee Ellis Ross to Headline 2019 Fashion Awards in London|last=Conti|first=Samantha|date=October 31, 2019|website=WWD|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102051643/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/tracee-ellis-ross-headline-2019-fashion-awards-in-london-1203359857/|url-status=live}}
As of 2018, as CEO of Pattern Beauty LLC of El Segundo, California, Ross produces a line of "Juicy and Joyful" beauty hair care products made with safe ingredients for curls and promotes support organizations to empower women and people of color. Ross appeared in the fourth episode of A Little Late with Lilly Singh.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbc.com/a-little-late-with-lilly-singh |title=A Little Late With Lilly Singh |publisher=NBC |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019 |archive-date=September 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919085511/https://www.nbc.com/a-little-late-with-lilly-singh |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://patternbeauty.com/pages/our-story|title=Our Story|work=Pattern Beauty|date=September 8, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225030143/https://patternbeauty.com/pages/our-story|url-status=live}}
In 2019, Ross created, alongside Kenya Barris, a prequel spin-off of Black-ish called Mixed-ish. Ross serves as a narrator for the series starring Tika Sumpter and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a26323249/tracee-ellis-ross-blackish-spinoff/|title=Tracee Ellis Ross Will Star in Her Own Black-ish Spin-Off Called Mixed-ish|first=Michelle|last=Darrisaw|date=May 15, 2019|website=Oprah Magazine|access-date=October 8, 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115164349/https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a26323249/tracee-ellis-ross-blackish-spinoff/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Framke |first1=Caroline |date=September 24, 2019 |title=TV Review: 'Mixed-ish' |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/reviews/mixedish-review-blackish-spinoff-abc-1203347524/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008212014/https://variety.com/2019/tv/reviews/mixedish-review-blackish-spinoff-abc-1203347524/ |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |website=Variety}} Ross completed voice with as the title character and executive produced the adult animated comedy television movie Jodie, but the film lacks a studio or distributor.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/jodie-animated-movie-mtve-studios-tracee-ellis-ross-1235846673/ |title=MTVE Studios Not Moving Ahead with 'Jodie' Animated Movie; Will Redevelop Unscripted Show 'Power Game' |date=March 6, 2024}} It was intended to be the first in a series of spin-offs based on MTV's Daria franchise. Ross voices the title character, Jodie Landon.{{Cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross To Star & Exec Produce 'Daria' Spinoff From MTV Studios |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/tracee-ellis-ross-to-star-exec-produce-daria-spinoff-from-mtv-studios-1202631736/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727155416/https://deadline.com/2019/06/tracee-ellis-ross-to-star-exec-produce-daria-spinoff-from-mtv-studios-1202631736/ |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |website=Deadline}}
In 2020, Ross played the leading role of Grace Davis, a legendary superstar singer, in the musical comedy-drama film The High Note for Focus Features.{{Cite web |last1=Atler |first1=Rebecca |date=February 28, 2020 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Is a Pop Star in the Trailer for The High Note |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/watch-tracee-ellis-ross-dakota-johnson-high-note-trailer.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228232250/https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/watch-tracee-ellis-ross-dakota-johnson-high-note-trailer.html |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |access-date=February 29, 2020 |website=Vulture}} The High Note marks the first big-screen role for Ross since the 2007 comedy-drama Daddy's Little Girls. The film was scheduled to be theatrically released on May 8, 2020, but the theatrical release was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/todd-haynes-dark-waters-lands-november-release-covers-opens-summer-2020-1234611/|title=Todd Haynes' 'Dark Waters' Lands November Release; Nisha Ganatra's 'Covers' Opens in Summer 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|date=August 25, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2022|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415032702/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/todd-haynes-dark-waters-lands-november-release-covers-opens-summer-2020-1234611/|url-status=live}} The film later moved its release date to May 29, 2020, through video on demand.{{cite web |last=N'Duka |first=Amanda |date=May 4, 2020 |title=Focus Features Sets Digital Release For 'The High Note' Starring Tracee Ellis Ross & Dakota Johnson |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/focus-features-digital-release-the-high-note-tracee-ellis-ross-dakota-johnson-1202925502/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506032645/https://deadline.com/2020/05/focus-features-digital-release-the-high-note-tracee-ellis-ross-dakota-johnson-1202925502/ |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} In The High Note Ross made her singing debut, recording a soundtrack album titled The High Note (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). The lead single, pop-ballad "Love Myself" was released on May 15, 2020, through Republic Records.{{Cite magazine |last1=Spanos |first1=Brittany |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Debuts 'Love Myself' From Film 'The High Note' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tracee-ellis-ross-love-myself-high-note-998676/ |magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/tracee-ellis-ross-first-song-release-the-high-note-soundtrack/|title=Tracee Ellis Ross releases her first song from 'The High Note' soundtrack|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 15, 2020|access-date=April 14, 2022|first=Nick|last=Romano}}
Ross emceed the second night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.{{cite web |last1=Mucha |first1=Sarah |date=17 August 2020 |title=Eva Longoria, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington and Julia Louis-Dreyfus announced as Democratic convention emcees |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/eva-longoria-tracee-ellis-ross-kerry-washington-julia-louis-dreyfus-democratic-convention/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817181827/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/eva-longoria-tracee-ellis-ross-kerry-washington-julia-louis-dreyfus-democratic-convention/index.html |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |website=CNN}} In September 2020, she signed a deal with ABC Signature.{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2020-09-15|title=Tracee Ellis Ross Signs Overall Deal With ABC Signature|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/tracee-ellis-ross-overall-deal-abc-signature-black-ish-mixed-ih-1234577079/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=Deadline|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917075148/https://deadline.com/2020/09/tracee-ellis-ross-overall-deal-abc-signature-black-ish-mixed-ih-1234577079/|url-status=live}} In 2021, she was included on the Time 100, Time{{'}}s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.{{cite web |last1=Trepany |first1=Charles |title=Time 100 revealed: Harry and Meghan, Britney Spears, Simone Biles, Dolly Parton make 2021 list |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/09/15/time-100-simone-biles-dolly-parton-scarlett-johansson/8343225002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=November 14, 2021 |date=September 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115000745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/09/15/time-100-simone-biles-dolly-parton-scarlett-johansson/8343225002/ |url-status=live}}
In 2022, after the series finale of Black-ish, Ross appeared as Lainie in the seventh episode of the revived The Kids in the Hall, released in May 2022.{{cite press release |date=April 13, 2022 |title=It's Head-Crushing Time! Prime Video Announces the Premiere Date and Trailer Release for Canadian Amazon Original Series The Kids in the Hall |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/it-s-head-crushing-time-prime-video-announces-the-premiere-date-and-trailer-release-for-canadian-amazon-original-series-the-kids-in-the-hall-821836739.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414015455/https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/it-s-head-crushing-time-prime-video-announces-the-premiere-date-and-trailer-release-for-canadian-amazon-original-series-the-kids-in-the-hall-821836739.html |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |access-date=April 13, 2022 |website=CNW Group}} She produced The Hair Tales, a limited docuseries for hulu and Oprah Winfrey Network.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/hulu-tracee-ellis-ross-hair-tales-1235258447/|title=Hulu's Tracee Ellis Ross-Hosted 'Hair Tales' Is Storytelling by and for Black Women|first1=Evan Nicole|last1=Brown|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 10, 2022|access-date=January 10, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110112829/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/hulu-tracee-ellis-ross-hair-tales-1235258447/|url-status=live}} Later in 2022, she starred in the upcoming psychological thriller film, Cold Copy.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Bel Powley, Tracee Ellis Ross & Jacob Tremblay Lead Thriller Pic 'Cold Copy' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/bel-powley-tracee-ellis-ross-jacob-tremblay-lead-thriller-pic-cold-copy-1235129757/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011004902/https://deadline.com/2022/09/bel-powley-tracee-ellis-ross-jacob-tremblay-lead-thriller-pic-cold-copy-1235129757/ |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=Deadline}} She starred with Jeffrey Wright in the film American Fiction (2023) based on the novel Erasure.{{Cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Angelique |date=December 2, 2022 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Sterling K. Brown, Issa Rae Join Jeffrey Wright in Cord Jefferson's Directorial Debut for MGM's Orion Pictures |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/tracee-ellis-ross-sterling-k-brown-jeffrey-wright-cord-jefferson-mgm-orion-pictures-1235447973/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218181346/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/tracee-ellis-ross-sterling-k-brown-jeffrey-wright-cord-jefferson-mgm-orion-pictures-1235447973/ |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=Variety}} Also in 2023, she starred opposite Eddie Murphy in the holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane directed by Reginald Hudlin.{{Cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Angelique |date=January 3, 2023 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Joins Eddie Murphy in 'Candy Cane Lane' for Prime Video |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/tracee-ellis-ross-eddie-murphy-candy-cane-lane-1235477268/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110112828/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/tracee-ellis-ross-eddie-murphy-candy-cane-lane-1235477268/ |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Variety}}
Personal life
Throughout her career, Ross has been vocally childfree. In a February 2018 Glamour interview, she stated "It's really interesting to be a woman and to get to 45 and not be married and not have kids. I'm a good friend, a solid daughter, a hard worker, my credit is good, I take out the garbage before it gets smelly, I recycle, and I won a Golden Globe!"{{Cite web |date=2018-01-02 |title=Tracee Ellis Ross Has a Powerful Message for Men About Consent |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/tracee-ellis-ross-february-2018-cover-story |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}}
She endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.{{#invoke:cite news ||title=These 20 Celebrities Are Rallying Behind Kamala Harris For The 2024 Election, And It's Making Waves|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseastewart/celebrities-who-endorsed-kamala-harris-2024|access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=Buzzfeed|date=July 25, 2024 |language=en}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} |Denotes works that have not yet been released |
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1996
| Kiki | |
| 1997
| Linda | |
| 1999
| A Fare To Remember | Jane | |
| rowspan="2" |2000
| Kim | |
| In the Weeds
| Caroline | |
| 2006
| Nancy Tanaka | |
| 2007
| Cynthia | |
| 2009
| Kristin | |
| 2019
| Little | Homegirl |
| 2020
| Grace Davis | |
| rowspan="4" | 2023
| Diane Heger | |
| American Fiction
| Lisa Ellison | |
| Candy Cane Lane
| Carol Carver | |
| Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
|Herself |Cameo |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1998
| Broken Silence | Kaycee King | Television film |
| 2000
| Various roles | 1 episode |
| 2000–2008
| Joan Clayton | Series regular, 172 episodes |
| 2004
| Naomi | Episode: "A Kiss Is Still a Kiss" |
| 2007
| Tanya | Television film |
| 2010
| Ellen | Episode: "War" |
| rowspan="3" |2011
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Gloria Parkes |Recurring role, 4 episodes |
| Reed Between the Lines
| Dr. Carla Reed | Series regular, 25 episodes and producer |
| Five
| Alyssa | Television film; segment "Lili" |
| 2012
| Bad Girls | Rachel | Unsold pilot |
| 2014–2022
| Dr. Rainbow "Bow" Johnson | Lead role, director of 2 episodes and producer |
| rowspan="2" |2016
| Herself |Episode: “Tracee Ellis Ross vs. Anthony Anderson” |
| Broad City
| Winona | Episode: "Jews on a Plane" |
| 2015
| Angry Taxi Driver (uncredited cameo) | |
| 2018–2022
| Dr. Rainbow "Bow" Johnson | 2 episodes |
| 2018
| Professional In Getting Her Picture Taken | Episode: "You Do You" |
| 2019–2021
| Dr. Rainbow "Bow" Johnson/Narrator | Also co-creator, executive producer |
| rowspan="2" |2021
| Narrator | Television special |
| The Premise
| Rayna Bradshaw | Episode: "Social Justice Sex Tape" |
| rowspan="2" |2022
| Lainie | Episode 7 |
| Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter
| Herself | Television special{{cite news |last1=Matthew |first1=Gilbert |title=This week's TV: Norman Lear at 100, a comedy about reboots, and a reboot of 'Quantum Leap' |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/19/arts/this-weeks-tv-norman-lear-100-comedy-about-reboots-reboot-quantum-leap/ |access-date=September 19, 2022 |work=The Boston Globe |date=September 19, 2022 |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919111646/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/19/arts/this-weeks-tv-norman-lear-100-comedy-about-reboots-reboot-quantum-leap/ |url-status=live}} |
| 2025
| Gaynor | Episode: "Common People" |
| TBA
|style="background:#FFFFCC;"| Jodie {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} | Voice; completed production but dropped by MTV Entertainment Studios{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/jodie-animated-movie-mtve-studios-tracee-ellis-ross-1235846673/ |title=MTVE Studios Not Moving Ahead with 'Jodie' Animated Movie; Will Redevelop Unscripted Show 'Power Game' |date=March 6, 2024}} |
=Music videos=
Discography
- The High Note (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2020)
:*"Love Myself" (single)
:*"Stop For A Minute"
:*"Bad Girl"
:*"New To Me"
:*"Like I Do" − with Kelvin Harrison Jr.
:*Love Myself (Film Version) − with Amie Doherty
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Award !Category !Nominated work !Result |
| 2002
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | rowspan="12" style="text-align: center;" |Girlfriends | {{nom}} |
| 2003
| Prism Award | Best Performance in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2003
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| BET Comedy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2006
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2007
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |
| 2008
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| rowspan="2" | NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
| {{won}} |
| rowspan="4" | 2012
| rowspan="2" | NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | style="text-align: center;" |Five | {{nom}} |
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
| style="text-align: center;" |Reed Between the Lines | {{won}} |
| Black Reel Awards
| Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series | style="text-align: center;" |Five | {{nom}} |
| NAMIC Vision Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | style="text-align: center;" |Reed Between the Lines | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="3" | 2015
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | rowspan="26" style="text-align: center;" |Black-ish | {{won}} |
| BET Awards
| Best Actress | {{nom}} |
| EWwy Awards
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="6" | 2016
| Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Actress in a Comedy Series{{cite web |author=Patrick Hipes |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Critics' Choice Awards Nominations 2016 — Full List |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/critics-choice-awards-nominations-2016-full-list-1201666326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215222621/http://deadline.com/2015/12/critics-choice-awards-nominations-2016-full-list-1201666326/ |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=February 19, 2020 |work=Deadline}} | {{nom}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series{{cite web |author=Maane Khatchatourian |date=December 8, 2015 |title=NAACP Award Nominations 2015: 'Creed,' 'Empire,' 'Black-ish' Lead |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/naacp-nominations-2015-creed-empire-blackish-1201656225/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026151017/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/naacp-nominations-2015-creed-empire-blackish-1201656225/ |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |access-date=December 9, 2017 |work=Variety}} | {{won}} |
| Online Film & Television Association Award
| Best Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| Primetime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/2016-emmy-nominations-drama-comedy-series-game-of-thrones-1201813547/|title=2016 Emmy Nominations: 'Game of Thrones' Leads Field, 'The Americans,' 'Mr. Robot' Grab Series Bids|first=Cynthia|last=Littleton|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=January 10, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202105503/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/2016-emmy-nominations-drama-comedy-series-game-of-thrones-1201813547/|url-status=live}} | {{nom}} |
| Satellite Award
| Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy[http://www.pressacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-Winners.pdf "The International Press Academy Announces Winners for the 21th (sic) Annual Satellite™ Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204155337/http://www.pressacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-Winners.pdf |date=February 4, 2017}}, International Press Academy, December 19, 2016. | {{nom}} |
| BET Awards
| Best Actress | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="5" | 2017
| Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| Golden Globe Award
| Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | {{won}} |
| Screen Actors Guild Award
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| {{won}} |
| Primetime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/2017-emmy-nominees-list-nominations-1202494465/|title=Emmys 2017: Full List of Nominations|date=July 13, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626194627/https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/2017-emmy-nominees-list-nominations-1202494465/|url-status=live}} | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="3" | 2018
|Screen Actors Guild Award |Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |
| Primetime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="5"|2019
|Favorite Comedy TV Star |{{nom}} |
| Satellite Awards
|Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical |{{nom}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |
| Black Reel Awards
|Outstanding Directing, Comedy Series |{{nom}} |
| Black Reel Awards
|Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="8" | 2020
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |
| Primetime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| Black Reel Awards
|Outstanding Comedy Series |{{nom}} |
| Black Reel Awards
|Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series |{{nom}} |
| People's Choice Awards
|Fashion icon | | {{Won}} |
| People's Choice Awards
| Favorite Drama Movie Star | align="center" rowspan="4" |The High Note |{{nom}} |
| Hollywood Critics Association
|Best Supporting Actress |{{nom}} |
| Guild of Music Supervisors Awards
|Best Song Written and/or Recording Created for a Film |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="6"|2021
| NAACP Image Award |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | align="center" rowspan="10"| Black-ish |
| Primetime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| Primetime Emmy Award
| {{nom}} |
| Black Reel Awards
|Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series |{{nom}} |
| Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards
|Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="6"|2022
|People's Choice Awards |The Comedy TV Star of 2022 |{{nom}} |
| Golden Globe Award
|Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series − Musical or Comedy |{{nom}} |
| Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards
|Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy |{{nom}} |
| NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| Black Reel Awards
|Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series |{{nom}} |
| Disney Legends
|For her extraordinary contribution to television | |
| rowspan="2"| 2023
| NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | align="center"| Black-ish | {{nom}} |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards
| Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | align="center"| American Fiction | {{nom}} |
Business
Tracee Ellis Ross is the founder of Pattern Beauty, a company that makes natural hair care products for curly and textured hair.{{Cite web |last=Beauty |first=Pattern |title=Hair Story Spotlight: PATTERN CEO & Founder Tracee Ellis Ross |url=https://patternbeauty.com/blogs/news/hair-story-spotlight-pattern-ceo-founder-tracee-ellis-ross |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=Pattern Beauty |date=September 7, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526110410/https://patternbeauty.com/blogs/news/hair-story-spotlight-pattern-ceo-founder-tracee-ellis-ross |url-status=live}} The company was founded in 2018.
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb name|nm0743896}}
- {{C-SPAN|127189}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Tracee Ellis Ross
|list =
{{Disney Legends Awards 2020s}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actress TV Comedy}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Tracee Ellis}}
Category:Actresses from Los Angeles
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Brown University alumni
Category:Alumni of Institut Le Rosey
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe (television) winners
Category:African-American Jews
Category:Riverdale Country School alumni
Category:20th-century African-American actresses