Now, let me tell you about this lady, Aunjanue Ellis. She ain’t no stranger, that’s for sure. Born way back in 1969 in San Francisco, California, she grew up like a lot of folks, worked hard, and made something of herself. Now, she’s known all over for her acting. I reckon most folks first saw her in that big movie with Will Smith, called “King Richard.” Ain’t that something? She played Oracene Price, Venus and Serena Williams’ mama. That movie was all about how their daddy, Richard Williams, worked so hard to get them girls to where they are now, and Aunjanue Ellis played that strong mama role so well. It got her a lot of attention, and even an Oscar nomination! Ain’t that impressive?
Before all that fancy stuff, she was acting in movies for years, like “Men of Honor” back in 2000. You know, that one where she worked alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro? She was in there too, playing a role that showed just how talented she really is. Then in 2001, she was in “The Caveman’s Valentine,” and again, people saw just how serious of an actress she was. Aunjanue was already on the map, even if folks didn’t always notice her right away.
Now, she didn’t stop there. Oh no, she kept on going, getting better and better with each role. In 2004, she played a part in the movie “Ray,” which was about the life of the legendary Ray Charles. It was a big hit, and once again, Aunjanue showed she could stand tall with the best of them. Ain’t no wonder why she’s got nominations for awards like the Golden Globe and even the Primetime Emmy Awards. That’s real special!
And just when you think she might slow down, Aunjanue takes on another role. Recently, she’s been in “Justified: City Primeval,” a show where she plays a sharp defense attorney. I tell you, the way she carries herself, you’d think she’s been doing this kind of thing her whole life. In that show, she gets to show off her real range as an actress, and folks are loving it. She’s been acting for a long time, but this role, well, it’s like she’s finally getting the spotlight she’s always deserved.
Not only is she a good actress, but she also went to Brown University. Now, that’s no small feat, let me tell you. That’s a big-time school, and it shows she’s got brains as well as talent. She didn’t just land these roles because of luck, no ma’am. She worked hard and studied, making sure she knew what she was doing when she stepped on that set.
And you know what else? She’s been a part of a lot of different films and TV shows. Like I said, “Men of Honor” and “Ray” were big ones, but she’s also appeared in “Undercover Brother” in 2002, “The Banker” in 2020, and many others. She’s got that versatility, able to play so many different types of characters. Folks like her because they can believe in her roles—whether she’s playing a tough mama, a lawyer, or anything else, she brings that raw, real feeling to the screen.
Her big break, though, came when she got that role in “King Richard.” She portrayed Oracene Price, and well, we all know what happened after that. That movie made a lot of folks take notice of her talents, and she got recognized for it. There were even talks about her winning awards. It’s not every day you see someone like her get such recognition, but I reckon she’s worked long and hard to earn it.
But here’s the thing—Aunjanue Ellis ain’t just about the awards or the fame. She’s about the craft. She wants to bring the truth of a character to life. And that’s something I can respect. You can tell when someone really puts their heart into their work, and Aunjanue does just that. So even if you ain’t watched all her movies or shows, it’s clear that she’s one of the best out there, no doubt about it.
So, what’s next for this amazing lady? Well, in December, she’s gonna be starring in “Nickel Boys,” a drama based on the novel by Colson Whitehead. It’s another role where she’ll no doubt shine, and folks are already looking forward to it. You can bet she’s gonna keep on acting, keep on getting better, and who knows? Maybe there’s even more awards in her future.
Aunjanue Ellis—she’s come a long way from San Francisco, and she’s still got a whole lot left to give. I tell you, if you ain’t been paying attention, now’s the time to start. She’s a real talent, and I don’t think she’s going anywhere anytime soon.
Tags：[Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard, Oscar nomination, actress, San Francisco, Undercover Brother, Ray, Men of Honor, Nickel Boys, Justified: City Primeval, Oracene Price, Hollywood, Colson Whitehead, awards, Brown University, acting career]
