Bio
Ellia English is an American actress best known for her starring role as Aunt Helen on the television comedy series The Jamie Foxx Show, from 1996-2001.
English was born the middle of nine children to a Baptist Minister (Reverend Calvin English) and a domestic worker (Ella Mae English) in Covington, Georgia.
After graduating from high school early, Ellia attended Clark College in Atlanta, majoring in music. She later transferred to Georgia State University, where she studied speech and drama, and soon became an ensemble player at the prestigious Alliance Theatre, where she became thoroughly dedicated to a professional life of acting and singing.
The next step was to travel to New York City. After starring in several theatrical productions On and Off Broadway, such as Harlem Nocturne, Ain't Misbehavin', Downhearted Blues (The Bessie Smith Story), Cotton Club Gala, Dreamgirls, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Colored Museum, Romeo and Juliet, Spunk, Showboat, Barnum, Nunsense, One Mo Time.
She also sang with the New York Community Choir as one of their solo artists and landed the role of Sheila on the television pilot production of Fame.
Ellia became a series regular (as Helen King) on The Jamie Foxx Show. She was also a series regular (as Auntie Rae) on Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm, on HBO.
Some of her other television credits include Martin, Empty Nest, Sinbad, The Five Mrs Buchanans, Love & War, Get Smart and Thea. She was also featured in the made for television movies The Innocent, Based On an Untrue Story and The Barefoot Executive.
On the silver screen Ellia was featured in Good Luck Chuck, Wildcats, Woman Thou Art Loosed, Sidewalk Stories, Rain Without Thunder and Semi-Pro.
Ellia continues to enjoy a professional life of acting and singing.