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Aunjanue Ellis

What's After the Movie

Aunjanue Ellis

Born in San Francisco and raised in her grandmother's farm in Mississippi, Aunjanue Ellis distinguished herself as an accomplished actress and activist in the American film and television industry. Making her professional debut in Broadway's The Tempest in 1995, she has since shown remarkable versatility by playing roles in an impressive array of film and television productions. Ellis has not only marked her presence in hits such as Men of Honor, The Help, and Ray but has also shown exceptional prowess in television series such as True Blood and The Mentalist. Not only has Ellis received critical acclaim, but she has also been nominated for prestigious awards including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Ellis’s career spans various successful stints in the film and television realm. Her role as Oracene Price in the sports drama King Richard (2021) has been highlighted with nominations for several awards. Since her debut, Ellis has shown tremendous professional growth, tackling challenging and diverse roles. Her roles range from Officer Leslie Joyner in the police drama series High Incident (1996–1997), to a leading role in The Book of Negroes (2015), which earned her a Canadian Screen Award. Ellis has not only excelled in acting but has also devoted time to teaching entertainment industry courses, demonstrating her commitment to the growth of the industry. The latter part of her career was marked by a widely acclaimed performance in the Ava DuVernay-directed miniseries When They See Us (2019) and a role in the film King Richard (2021), which garnered significant recognition and award nominations.

6 movies
4 nominations

Biography, Career & Filmography

Learn more about Aunjanue Ellis, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Aunjanue Ellis rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.


Given Name: Aunjanue L. Ellis-Taylor

Born: San Francisco, California, U.S.

Citizenship: United States

Birthday: February 21, 1969

Occupations: Actress, Activist

Years Active: 1995-present

Awards and Nominations Received by Aunjanue Ellis

Explore awards

Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Aunjanue Ellis has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.


94th Academy Awards 2022

Nomination

Actress in a Supporting Role

King Richard

27th Critics' Choice Awards 2022

Nomination

Best Supporting Actress

King Richard

28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2022

Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

King Richard

79th Golden Globe Awards 2022

Nomination

Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture (Supporting Actress)

King Richard

Career Timeline

Track the complete movie timeline of Aunjanue Ellis, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.


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