Ellen Greene (born February 22, 1951) is an American actress and singer. She has had a long and varied career as a singer, particularly in cabaret, as an actress and singer in numerous stage productions, particularly musical theatre, as well as having performed in many films and television series. Her best-known roles are as Audrey in the original stage musical and film adaptation of Little Shop of Horrors, and as Vivian Charles in the ABC television series Pushing Daisies.
Personal life Greene was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother was a guidance counselor, and her father was a dentist. She attended W. Tresper Clarke High School in Westbury, New York. She spent summers at Cejwin Camps in Port Jervis, New York, where she performed in musical theatre productions.Staff. "Puppeteer Martin Robinson Finds His Work Life Blooming in the Maw of a Man-Munching Plant", People, September 12, 1983 Her first marriage was to Tibor Hardik, and she married Christian Klikovits on September 25, 2003; both marriages ended in divorce.
Early career She first starred on Broadway in the title role of Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It), which had 7 previews in 1973 and closed before officially opening. Internet Broadway Database, retrieved November 24, 2017 She then played Chrissy in Joseph Papp's production of In the Boom Boom Room off-Broadway at the Public Theatre in November and December 1974."In the Boom Boom Room", lortel.org, retrieved November 24, 2017 In Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976),Gans, Andrew. "In Her Own Words: Little Shop's Ellen Greene Remembers Her Friend and Mentor, Filmmaker Paul Mazursky", Playbill, July 21, 2014 She played Sarah, her first starring role in a film.8 Next Stop, Greenwich Village, afi.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
Continuing her work with Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival, Greene next played the role of Jenny in The Threepenny Opera (1976) at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center, for which she was nominated for the 1977 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.The Three Penny Opera Playbill (vault), retrieved November 24, 2017 She continued to appear in other productions with the New York Shakespeare Festival and elsewhere, such as the part of Suzanne/The Little Rose in The Little Prince and the Aviator (1981).The Little Prince and the Aviator, Playbill, retrieved November 24, 2017The Little Prince and the Aviator ibdb.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 At the WPA Theater, she met Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Their friendship led to her playing the role of Audrey from 1982 in the long-running off-Broadway premiere of Little Shop of Horrors, which she reprised in the 1986 film version opposite Rick Moranis.Little Shop of Horrors lortel.org, retrieved November 24, 2017 Greene returned to Broadway as Mabel in a revival of Three Men on a Horse (1993).
She has worked in films such as I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982),"I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can" tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 Talk Radio (1987),Talk Radio tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 and Pump Up the Volume (1990)."Pump Up the Volume" tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 Greene was the voice of Goldie in the Don Bluth film Rock-a-Doodle (1991).Rock-a-Doodle tcm.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
Later career Greene released an album in 2004 entitled In His Eyes, on which she was accompanied by her husband and musical director, Christian Klikovits. Other work includes the role of Vivian Charles on the television series Pushing Daisies (2007)Gans, Andrew. "DIVA TALK: Chatting with 'Pushing Daisies' Star Ellen Greene Plus Clark's 'Fifteen Seconds of Grace' ", Playbill, November 16, 2007
In July and August 2009, Greene starred as Miss Adelaide in a concert version of the musical Guys and Dolls, which had a 3-day engagement at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.Gans, Andrew. " 'Luck Be a Lady': Guys and Dolls in Concert Plays the Hollywood Bowl July 31-Aug. 2", Playbill, July 31, 2009 In 2011, she appeared in five episodes on the soap opera The Young and the Restless as Primrose DeVille. She appeared in the musical Betwixt! at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End from July 26 to August 20, 2011.Shenton, Mark. "Ellen Greene Is 'Betwixt!' in New London Musical, Opening July 28" Playbill, July 28, 2011
Greene appeared in two episodes of the ABC Family show Bunheads (2012).Champion, Lindsay. "Barre Hopping: Sutton Foster Copes With Devastating News on 'Bunheads' " broadway.com, June 19, 2012 She portrayed Doctor Gale Macones in The Walking Dead Webisodes: The Oath. In 2015, Greene again played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at New York City Center in the Encores! Off-Center Series staged concert.Schulman, Michael. "Eternally Audrey", The New Yorker, July 6, 2015
Greene performed in the 2016 Democratic National Convention's "Fight Song" video.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1976Next Stop, Greenwich VillageSarah Roth1982I'm Dancing as Fast as I CanKaren Mulligan1986Little Shop of HorrorsAudrey1988Me and HimAnnette UttanziTalk RadioEllen1990Pump Up the VolumeJan Emerson1991Rock-a-DoodleGoldie (voice) A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.Stepping OutMaxine1992Fathers & SonsJudy1994Naked Gun : The Final InsultLouiseWagons EastBelleLéon: The ProfessionalMargie Lando, Mathilda's mother1995Killer: A Journal of MurderElizabeth Wyatt1996DellaOne Fine DayElaine Lieberman1997States of ControlCarol1998JadedLouise Smith2001Alex in WonderClarice2003DorisLove ObjectTyping Supervisor2010PrivilegedMrs. RothmanVideo2016Muddy CormanDawn Denford2017Love's Last ResortMs. Leigh2019Lydia2026California ScenarioRenee
Television Year Title Role Notes1977Seventh AvenuePaula ClassTV miniseries1978JessTelevision film1983Creeping Ivy (voice)Television film1985Miami ViceDarleneEpisode: "Made for Each Other"1987Morning MaggieMaggie McAllisterTelevision film1988Superman 50th AnniversaryAriel DickensonTelevision film; documentary1989Glory! Glory!RuthTelevision filmCBS Summer PlayhouseSally MaggioEpisode: "Road Show"Dinner at EightKitty PackardTelevision film1994Abilene JonesEpisode: "Time Tunnel"1995CybillSharon2 episodesLaw & OrderKaren GainesEpisode: "Bitter Fruit"1997DellaventuraElizabeth BrodkinEpisode: "Above Reproach"2000Suddenly SusanHarriet GrahamEpisode: "The Break Up"2002Vicki Louise BurdickEpisode: "Improbable"Crossing JordanMrs. DunhamEpisode: "Secrets & Lies: Part 2"2005Mystery Woman: Sing Me a MurderCarlyTelevision filmFielder's ChoiceJillTelevision film2006Re-AnimatedDolly Gopher (voice)Television film2007–2008Out of Jimmy's HeadDolly Gopher (voice)Main role2007–2009Pushing DaisiesVivian CharlesMain roleHeroesVirginia Grey3 episodes2009Batman: The Brave and the BoldMrs. Manface (voice)Episode: "Night of the Huntress!"2011Primrose DeVilleRecurring role2012Pound PuppiesGertrude Washburn (voice)Episode: "Olaf in Love"BunheadsWiccan Friend2 episodes2013HannibalMrs. KomedaEpisode: "Sorbet"The Walking Dead: The OathGale2 episodes2017Tangled: The SeriesMrs. Sugarby (voice)Episode: "Painter's Block"2025Long Story ShortVivian (voice)Episode: "Uncle Barry"
Stage Sources: Internet Off-Broadway Database;"Greene Off-Broadway" lortel.org, retrieved November 24, 2017 Playbill Vault"Greene Broadway" Playbill (vault), retrieved November 24, 2017 Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It) (1973) (never officially opened)Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It) Playbill (vault), retrieved November 2017 In the Boom Boom Room (1974) (Off-Broadway) The Threepenny Opera (1976) (Broadway) The Threepenny Opera (1977) (Delacorte Theater) (return engagement) Funny Face (1978) (Studio Arena Theater) Teeth 'n' Smiles (1979) (Off-Broadway)Gussow, Mel. "Stage: 'Teeth 'n' Smiles', World of Rock 'n' Roll" The New York Times, August 14, 1979 Wake Up, It's Time to Go to Bed (1979) (Off-Broadway) by Carson Kievman They're Playing Our Song (1979) (US national tour)Green, Kay (ed.) "'They're Playing Our Song'" Broadway Musicals, Show by Show, Hal Leonard Corporation, 1996, , p.252 The Little Prince and the Aviator (1982) (never officially opened) Little Shop of Horrors (1982) (Off-Off Broadway showcase, Off-Broadway and London) Starting Monday (1990) (Off-Broadway) Weird Romance (1992) (Off-Broadway) Three Men on a Horse (1993) (Broadway) Oliver! (1997) (North Shore Music Theatre) The First Picture Show (1999) (San Francisco)McGrath, Sean. "Ellen Greene Picked for Picture Show at San Fran's ACT, May 6-June 6", Playbill.com, April 7, 1999. A Broadway Diva Christmas (2005) (Women's Project)Gans, Andrew. "A Broadway Diva Christmas — with Greene, Days, Brier, Pedi and Schaffel — Begins Nov. 23" Playbill, November 23, 2005 Guys and Dolls (2009) (Hollywood Bowl concert) Betwixt! (2011) (London)Betwixt! officiallondontheatre.com, retrieved November 24, 2017 Little Shop of Horrors (2015) (Encores! Off-Center)
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated Work Result 1977 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical The Threepenny Opera 1983 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Little Shop of Horrors Laurence Olivier Award Best Actress in a Musical"Olivier Award, 1983" olivierawards.com, retrieved November 24, 2017
References
External links