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Ellen Greene

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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BIO

Ellen Greene was performing as a nightclub singer in several New York City clubs and treading the boards in New York City theater before her friend and mentor, filmmaker Paul Mazursky cast her in her first motion picture, Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976), she was awarded the part of Sarah, opposite Lenny Baker. Four years after she originated the role of Audrey, the lovably ditzy, golden-hearted, sweetest masochist in musical-comedy history in Howard Ashman's 1982 Off-Broadway play, The Little Shop of Horrors, the actress reprised the role in Frank Oz's film adaptation, Little Shop of Horrors (1986) (in which she starred opposite Rick Moranis and Steve Martin). Up to the present time, this is the actress's most talked-about and celebrated role.


A few years later, Greene starred in the American drama film Talk Radio (1988), she played the part of Ellen, opposite Eric Bogosian and Alec Baldwin. Aside from the actress's work in these two motion pictures, and ABC's fantasy mystery comedy-drama television series, Pushing Daisies (2007), in which she and Swoosie Kurtz play Lily and Vivian Charles, the agoraphobic sisters. Greene has also provided her talent to Law & Order (1990), The X-Files (1993), Heroes (2006), and The Young and the Restless (1973).
In July 2015, Greene brought back Audrey for a two-night revival of Little Shop of Horrors at New York City Center. She starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal (who replaced Moranis). The revival received rave reviews, and according to The New York Times, when Greene made her entrance on stage, she received the kind of entrance applause you might imagine greeting the resurrection of Maria Callas at the Metropolitan Opera for a beyond-the-grave performance of "Norma."

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors
[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2015
Audrey
Betwixt! Betwixt!
[West End]
Return Engagement [West End], 2011
Princess/Nymph Queen/Enchantress
Three Men on a Horse
[Broadway]
1993
Mabel
Weird Romance
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1992
P. Burke
Nola
Weird Romance
[Off-Broadway]
1992
P. Burke/Nola
Starting Monday
[Off-Broadway]
1990
Ellis
Little Shop of Horrors
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1982
Audrey
Audrey
Little Shop of Horrors
[Off-Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1982
Performer
They're Playing Our Song
[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1979
Sonia Wolsk
Wake Up, It's Time to Go to Bed
[Off-Broadway]
1979
United Nations Referee/ Eurydice
The Threepenny Opera
[Off-Broadway]
1977
Jenny Towler
The Threepenny Opera
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1976
Jenny
In the Boom Boom Room
[Off-Broadway]
1974
Chrissy
Rachael Lily Rosenbloom and Don't You Ever Forget It
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1973
Performer
The Little Prince and the Aviator
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Suzanne
The Little Rose
Suzanne/Little Rose

Movies

Next Stop, Greenwich Village
[ 1976 ] Sarah Roth
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can
[ 1982 ] Karen Mulligan
Little Shop of Horrors
[ 1986 ] Audrey
Me and Him
[ 1988 ] Annette Uttanzi
Talk Radio
[ 1988 ] Ellen
Pump Up the Volume
[ 1990 ] Jan Emerson
Rock-A-Doodle
[ 1991 ] Goldie
Stepping Out
[ 1991 ] Maxine
Fathers & Sons
[ 1992 ] Judy
Wagons East
[ 1994 ] Belle
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
[ 1994 ] Louise
Léon: The Professional
[ 1994 ] Mathilda's Mother
Killer: A Journal of Murder
[ 1995 ] Elizabeth Wyatt
An Occasional Hell
[ 1996 ] Della
One Fine Day
[ 1996 ] Elaine Lieberman
States of Control
[ 1997 ] Carol
Jaded
[ 1998 ] Louise Smith
Alex in Wonder
[ 2001 ] Clarice
The Cooler
[ 2003 ] Doris
Love Object
[ 2003 ] Typing Supervisor
Muddy Corman
[ 2016 ] Dawn Denford
Love's Last Resort
[ 2017 ] Ms. Leigh
The Untold Story
[ 2019 ] Lydia

TV Shows

Heroes
Virginia Grey
Out of Jimmy's Head
Dolly Gopher
Pushing Daisies
Vivian Charles

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Ellen Greene, Little Shop of Horrors

Olivier Awards - 1983 - Actress of the Year in a Musical

Ellen Greene, Little Shop Of Horrors

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Ellen Green , Threepenny Opera

Videos

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News


Video: Milo Manheim and Liz Gillies Talk LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Favorite Musicals, & Photo
Video: Milo Manheim and Liz Gillies Talk LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Favorite Musicals, & More in Puppy Interview
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 24, 2025

Milo Manheim and Liz Gillies are currently starring in off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors and, to commemorate the occasion, they joined BuzzFeed Celeb to talk about their experience in the production while playing with adorable puppies. Watch the interview!
The Stage History of Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Photo
The Stage History of Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal
by Stephi Wild - Mar 22, 2025

Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal are back on Broadway in the revival of Othello. As these two mega-stars make their Broadway returns, we're taking a walk down memory lane and reliving some of their stage highlights from their careers!
Interview: Suzie Toot Is Tappin' Her Way to the Top of RuPaul's Drag Race Photo
Interview: Suzie Toot Is Tappin' Her Way to the Top of RuPaul's Drag Race
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 21, 2025

Will Suzie Toot make it to the finale? Fans will have to tune in to find out. In the meantime, she checks in with BroadwayWorld to discuss everything from her awesome Rusical performance to her theater roots. ​
Exclusive Photos: Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim Shine in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Of Photo
Exclusive Photos: Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim Shine in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2025

All new photos have been released of Elizabeth Gillies and Milo Manheim in Little Shop of Horrors, which is now in its sixth year at the Westside Theatre. Check out the photos here!
Exclusive Backstage Photos: Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim Shine in LITTLE SHOP OF Photo
Exclusive Backstage Photos: Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim Shine in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Michael Major - Feb 26, 2025

Discover exclusive backstage moments with Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim as they debut in Little Shop of Horrors at NYC’s Westside Theatre. View the revealing photos and costumes
Review: BROADWAY ROCKS! at Robinson Center Photo
Review: BROADWAY ROCKS! at Robinson Center
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 20, 2025

Let me start off by saying that I gladly take personal ownership after hearing My Arkansas Symphony Orchestra blow the roof off of Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock Sunday, Feb. 9, with their UAMS First Orion Pops Series BROADWAY ROCKS!, spotlighting three amazing vocalists and the Arkansas Chamber Singers.
Video: Sherie Rene Scott Belts Out 'My Strongest Suit' During Birthday Party Photo
Video: Sherie Rene Scott Belts Out 'My Strongest Suit' During Birthday Party
by Michael Major - Feb 10, 2025

Sherie Rene Scott reprised one of her iconic roles during her Little Shop of Horrors birthday party. Watch a video of her singing 'My Strongest Suit' from Aida during for the cast of the hit Off-Broadway revival as they celebrated her big day.
Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim to Star in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Beginning in Febru Photo
Elizabeth Gillies & Milo Manheim to Star in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Beginning in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 28, 2025

Little Shop of Horrors – currently in its sixth year at the Westside Theatre in NYC – will welcome two new stars as Audrey and Seymour in February of 2025 - Elizabeth Gillies and Milo Manheim. Learn more about the cast and see how to purchase tickets.
Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher Set Final Performance in LITTLE SHOP OF H Photo
Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher Set Final Performance in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Stephi Wild - Jan 8, 2025

Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher will play their final performances in Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey and Seymour, respectively, next month. Replacement casting for Seymour, Audrey, and Orin will be announced soon.
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Bank Of America Performing Arts Center Photo
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Bank Of America Performing Arts Center
by Melissa Heckscher - Oct 14, 2024

While the show’s darker ending may leave younger audiences a bit shell-shocked, there’s no denying the infectious energy of this production. The songs, the performances, and the fun all come together in a show that will have you humming 'Bop sh-bop' long after the final curtain.
Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher Are the Next Stars of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRO Photo
Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher Are the Next Stars of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 19, 2024

Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher will soon join the off-Broadway cast of the hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors as 'Audrey' and 'Seymour' respectively. Check out all of the details about when they join the cast here!
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS to Unveil 'Audrey II' Times Square Installation Photo
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS to Unveil 'Audrey II' Times Square Installation
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 5, 2024

Little Shop of Horrors will unveil an “Audrey II” Times Square Installation this month. Learn more about the event and see how to attend.
Video: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Gives 'Somewhere That's Green' A Funky Skid Row Spin Photo
Video: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Gives 'Somewhere That's Green' A Funky Skid Row Spin
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 24, 2024

The citizens of Skid Row are back with the show's latest stars Sarah Hyland and Jimmy Awards winner Andrew Barth Feldman, with Tiffany Renee Thompson, Zakiya Baptiste, Khadija Sankoh and members of the Little Shop band for a funky fabulous new take on one of the show's iconic songs! Watch the video!
Photos: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Celebrates Its New Stars, Sarah Hyland and Andrew Bart Photo
Photos: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Celebrates Its New Stars, Sarah Hyland and Andrew Barth Feldman
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2024

The denizens of Skid Row had a lot to celebrats this weekend as Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway welcomed television star Sarah Hyland, Jimmy Awards winner Andrew Barth Feldman to the cast as Audrey and Seymour! See new photos from the celebration.
Video: Sarah Hyland Talks Returning to the Stage for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Photo
Video: Sarah Hyland Talks Returning to the Stage for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Josh Sharpe - May 31, 2024

Sarah Hyland, who just took over the role of Audrey from Jinkx Monsoon in the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, stopped by Live With Kelly and Mark to discuss returning to the stage after a long time away. Watch the interview!
Photos: See Sarah Hyland & Andrew Barth Feldman in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Photo
Photos: See Sarah Hyland & Andrew Barth Feldman in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 30, 2024

Get a first look at photos of Sarah Hyland as Audrey and Andrew Barth Feldman as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.
Andrew Barth Feldman & Sarah Hyland Begin Performances in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Photo
Andrew Barth Feldman & Sarah Hyland Begin Performances in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Nicole Rosky - May 28, 2024

Little Shop of Horrors gets a shakeup this week! Sarah Hyland and Andrew Barth Feldman will star as Audrey and Seymour in the off-Broadway revival, beginning tonight, May 28, 2024.
Jinkx Monsoon and Corbin Bleu Play Final Performance in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Photo
Jinkx Monsoon and Corbin Bleu Play Final Performance in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Blair Ingenthron - May 26, 2024

Jinkx Monsoon and Corbin Bleu will end their run as Audrey and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre off-Broadway today, May 26th.
Al Hirschfeld Prints Signed By Cher, Chita Rivera & More to be Auctioned Off Photo
Al Hirschfeld Prints Signed By Cher, Chita Rivera & More to be Auctioned Off
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 9, 2024

Discover the auction benefitting BC/EFA and The Al Hirschfeld Foundation featuring 20 limited-edition Al Hirschfeld prints, signed by iconic stage and screen stars.
Andrew Barth Feldman and Sarah Hyland Will Lead LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Photo
Andrew Barth Feldman and Sarah Hyland Will Lead LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Stephi Wild - May 3, 2024

Screen Actors Guild Award winner Sarah Hyland and stage and film star Andrew Barth Feldman will star as Audrey and Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Learn more here!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ellen Greene been in?

Ellen Greene has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Ellen Greene been in?

Ellen Greene has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Ellen Greene's first West End show?

Ellen Greene's first West End show was Betwixt! which opened in 2011

What awards has Ellen Greene been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Little Shop of Horrors, Actress of the Year in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Little Shop Of Horrors and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Threepenny Opera.

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