Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Biography
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is an American actress born on February 21, 1969, in San Francisco, California, USA. She has appeared in numerous films, including Men of Honor, Undercover Brother, Ray, Freedomland, The Taking of Pelham 123, The Help, The Birth of a Nation, and If Beale Street Could Talk. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Oracene Price in the sports drama King Richard. She has also starred in The Color Purple, Origin, and Nickel Boys. On television, she has worked in various projects. Ellis-Taylor has received several accolades, including nominations for a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. She has a total of 88 known credits in her acting career.
Career overview
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is an American actress born on February 21, 1969, in San Francisco, California. She has appeared in numerous films throughout her career. Her film credits include Men of Honor, Undercover Brother, Ray, Freedomland, The Taking of Pelham 123, The Help, The Birth of a Nation, and If Beale Street Could Talk. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Oracene Price in the sports drama King Richard. In addition to her film work, Ellis-Taylor has starred in The Color Purple, Origin, and Nickel Boys.
Ellis-Taylor's acting credits span multiple decades, with her film career beginning in the early 2000s. Her performances have garnered recognition, including nominations for Academy, Golden Globe, and Primetime Emmy Awards. Her body of work showcases her versatility as an actress, taking on a wide range of roles in various genres.
With a career spanning over two decades, Ellis-Taylor has established herself as a talented and accomplished actress. Her filmography is extensive, with numerous credits to her name. She continues to be an active presence in the entertainment industry, taking on new roles and projects that demonstrate her range and talent as a performer.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Lucky (2026) as Agent Billie Rand
- Lucky Strike (2026) as Mrs. Caldwell
- Nickel Boys (2024) as Hattie
- The Deliverance (2024) as Rev Bernice James
- The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (2024) as Odette Henry
- Grace (2024) Executive Producer
- Exhibiting Forgiveness (2024) as Joyce
- Justified: City Primeval (2023) as Carolyn
- The Color Purple (2023) as Mama
- Origin (2023) as Isabel Wilkerson
- Origin (2023) Executive Producer
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) as Self
- 61st Street (2022) as Martha Roberts
- King Richard (2021) as Oracene 'Brandy' Price
- The Subject (2021) as Leslie
- Lovecraft Country (2020) as Hippolyta Freeman
- The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (2020) as Mattie Moss Clark
- When They See Us (2019) as Sharonne Salaam
- Miss Virginia (2019) as Lorraine Townsend
- Pimp (2018) as Gloria May
- If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) as Mrs. Hunt
- Romeo and Juliet in Harlem (2017) as Lady Capulet
- Designated Survivor (2016) as Eleanor Darby
- The Birth of a Nation (2016) as Nancy Turner
- Quantico (2015) as Miranda Shaw
- The Book of Negroes (2015) as Aminata Diallo
- Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014) as Self
- Get On Up (2014) as Vicki Anderson
- Of Mind and Music (2014) as Una Vida
- Sleepy Hollow (2013) as Lori Mills
- The Volunteer (2013) as Leigh
- Missing (2012) as Mary Dresden
- Abducted: The Carlina White Story (2012) as Ann
- The Help (2011) as Yule Mae Davis
- The Resident (2011) as Sydney
- Game of Death (2011) as Rachel
- Money Matters (2011) as Pamela Matters
- The Tested (2011) as Darraylynn Warren
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Sylvia Marshall
- I Love You Phillip Morris (2010) as Reba
- NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) as Michelle Hanna
- The Good Wife (2009) as Linda Underwood
- The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) as Therese Garber
- Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009) as Candy
- Notorious (2009) as Sandy
- Motherhood (2009) as Sample Sale Friend
- The Hungry Ghosts (2009) as Nadia
- The Mentalist (2008) as Madeleine Hightower
- True Blood (2008) as Diane
- The Express (2008) as Marie Davis
- The Prince of Motor City (2008) as Cora Neel
- Racing for Time (2008) as Officer Baker
- Cover (2007) as Valerie Mass
- Justice (2006) as Miranda Lee
- Freedomland (2006) as Felicia
- Numb3rs (2005) as Ivy Kirk
- E-Ring (2005) as Jocelyn Pierce
- Jonny Zero (2005) as Gloria
- Perception (2005) as Vera
- Ray (2004) as Mary Ann Fisher
- The D.A. (2004)
- Brother to Brother (2004) as Zora
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Undercover Brother (2002) as Sistah Girl
- MDs (2002) as Quinn Joyner
- Lovely & Amazing (2002) as Lorraine
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Carmen Rivera
- The Caveman's Valentine (2001) as Lulu
- John John in the Sky (2001) as Earlene
- Men of Honor (2000) as Jo
- The Opponent (2000)
- Disappearing Acts (2000) as Pam
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Laura Chase
- Third Watch (1999) as Gail Moore
- In Too Deep (1999) as Denise
- Desert Blue (1999) as Agent Summers
- A Map of the World (1999) as Dyshett
- Side Streets (1998) as Brenda Boyce
- The Practice (1997) as Sharon Young
- High Incident (1996) as Officer Leslie Joyner
- Girls Town (1996) as Nikki
- Ed's Next Move (1996) as Erica
- New York Undercover (1994)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- HBCU Honors as Self
- The Body Is Water as Ree
- Liz Here Now as Liz Baxter
- Liz Here Now Executive Producer
- Einstein as Captain Frost
- Untitled Sister Rosetta Tharpe Biopic Writer