Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Born:February 21, 1969

Place of Birth:San Francisco, California, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, a versatile American actress and producer, has left an indelible mark on both the big and small screens. With a captivating presence and powerful performances, she has solidified her place in the entertainment industry. Ellis-Taylor's impressive academic background, including a BA in African-American Studies from Brown University and an MFA in Acting from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, laid a strong foundation for her successful career in acting.

Her breakthrough roles in films such as "Ray" and "Undercover Brother" showcased her remarkable talent and range as an actress. Ellis-Taylor's ability to embody complex characters with depth and authenticity has garnered her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following. Her portrayal of Teresa Lisbon in the hit television series "The Mentalist" further solidified her reputation as a versatile performer who can seamlessly transition between film and television projects.

Throughout her career, Ellis-Taylor has earned numerous accolades and nominations, including recognition from prestigious institutions such as the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering compelling performances have not gone unnoticed by audiences and critics alike. Ellis-Taylor's ability to bring emotional depth and nuance to her characters sets her apart as a truly exceptional talent in the entertainment industry.

Beyond her acting prowess, Ellis-Taylor has also ventured into producing, showcasing her multifaceted skills and passion for storytelling. Her creative vision and commitment to bringing diverse stories to the forefront have further solidified her reputation as a dynamic force in Hollywood. Ellis-Taylor's influence extends beyond the screen, as she continues to advocate for representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry.

With a career marked by memorable performances and a commitment to excellence, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stands as a shining example of talent and resilience in Hollywood. Her dedication to her craft, coupled with her unwavering passion for storytelling, ensures that her legacy will endure for years to come. As she continues to captivate audiences with her on-screen presence and creative endeavors, Ellis-Taylor remains a formidable presence in the world of entertainment, inspiring aspiring actors and filmmakers alike.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Nickel Boys

Hattie

2024

Chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.

The Help

Yule Mae Davis

2011

Aibileen Clark is a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson is an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

Candy

2009

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story is a movie based on the life story of world-renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson from 1961 to 1987.

The Deliverance

Rev Bernice James

2024

Ebony Jackson, a struggling single mother fighting her personal demons, moves her family into a new home for a fresh start. But when strange occurrences inside the home raise the suspicions of Child Protective Services and threaten to tear the family apart, Ebony soon finds herself locked in a battle for her life and the souls of her children.

Men of Honor

Jo

2000

Against formidable odds -- and an old-school diving instructor embittered by the U.S. Navy's new, less prejudicial policies -- Carl Brashear sets his sights on becoming the Navy's first African-American master diver in this uplifting true story. Their relationship starts out on the rocks, but fate ultimately conspires to bring the men together into a setting of mutual respect, triumph and honor.

Origin

Isabel Wilkerson

2023

While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.

King Richard

Oracene 'Brandy' Price

2021

The story of how Richard Williams served as a coach to his daughters Venus and Serena, who will soon become two of the most legendary tennis players in history.

Ray

Mary Ann Fisher

2004

Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.

The Birth of a Nation

Nancy Turner

2016

Nat Turner, a former slave in America, leads a liberation movement in 1831 to free African-Americans in Virginia that results in a violent retaliation from whites.

The Resident

Sydney

2011

Juliet, a beautiful doctor, has found the perfect New York apartment to start a new life after separating from her husband. It's got spacious rooms, a spectacular view, and a handy, handsome landlord. But there are secrets behind every wall and terror in every room as Juliet gets the unnerving feeling that she is not alone.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Therese Garber

2009

Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day's work for dispatcher Walter Garber into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.

The Color Purple

Mama

2023

A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman's journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Notorious

Sandy

2009

"Notorious" is the story of Christopher Wallace. Through raw talent and sheer determination, Wallace transforms himself from Brooklyn street hustler (once selling crack to pregnant women) to one of the greatest rappers of all time: The Notorious B.I.G. Follow his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectations - redefining our notion of "The American Dream."

Exhibiting Forgiveness

Joyce

2024

Utilizing his paintings to find freedom from his past, a Black artist on the path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. Together, they learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving.

If Beale Street Could Talk

Mrs. Hunt

2018

After her fiance is falsely imprisoned, a pregnant African-American woman sets out to clear his name and prove his innocence.

Undercover Brother

Sistah Girl

2002

An Afro-American organization, the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D., is in permanent fight against a white organization "The Man" defending the values of the black people in North America. When the Afro-American candidate Gen. Warren Boutwell behaves strangely in his presidential campaign, Undercover Brother is hired to work undercover for "The Man" and find what happened with the potential candidate.

I Love You Phillip Morris

Reba

2010

Steven Russell leads a seemingly average life – an organ player in the local church, happily married to Debbie, and a member of the local police force. That is until he has a severe car accident that leads him to the ultimate epiphany: he’s gay and he’s going to live life to the fullest – even if he has to break the law to do it. Taking on an extravagant lifestyle, Steven turns to cons and fraud to make ends meet and is eventually sent to the State Penitentiary where he meets the love of his life, a sensitive, soft-spoken man named Phillip Morris. His devotion to freeing Phillip from jail and building the perfect life together prompts him to attempt (and often succeed at) one impossible con after another.

The Express

Marie Davis

2008

Follow the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Production

Origin

Executive Producer

2023

While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.