*“It’s unscripted with only outlines for plots,” said veteran actress Ellia English about the Home Box Office (HBO) comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which airs its 12th season on February 4, 2024.
Ellia, who plays the recurring role of Auntie Rae, said the show is based on ad-libbing “You have to listen to everything other actors are saying.”
The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning HBO series stars Larry David (“Seinfeld”) and is about the comedian/writer/producer’s fictionalized life. The series launched in 2007 with Ellia English casted as a member of the Black family that takes refuge at Larry’s house, and is misplaced by a hurricane evacuation. The other Black family members include Leon Black played by comedian/actor J.B. Smooth (Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home); Loretta Black played by Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Soul Food); Daryl Black played by Nick Nervies (”The Soloist”) and Keysha Black played by Carla Jeffrey (“Southland”). Cheryl Hines (RV) plays Larry’s wife Michelle. Jeff Garlin (Toy Story 3 and Wall-E) plays his manager and best friend Jeff Greene and Susie Essman (Bolt) plays Jeff’s wife Susie.
“Vivica has been there from the beginning,” English said when I asked. “JB Smoove, he came into the family after the show began.”
“Larry David is brilliant,” she said when I asked about why she thought the series was seeing its 12th season. “The people he brings in and what he brings to the table. His show is close to a reality (show). We did the same kind of ad-libbing on ‘The Jamie Fox Show’.”
Ellia is a preacher’s kid (Rev. Calvin English), and her mother Ella Mae all are natives of Georgia. She graduated from Georgia State University in Speech and Drama. English became a stage actress appearing in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dreamgirls, MaRainey’s Black Bottom, and Nunsense. She moved into television appearing on the “Martin Show” from 1994 – 1996. In 1996 she won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Performance. In 1994 she appeared on the sitcom “Thea” starring a very young Brandy. In 1996 Ellia appeared on “The Jamie Foxx Show” until 2001. She secured the role of Auntie Rae in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” in 2007. In 2009 she garnered the New York Horror Film Fest Actress Award. From 2015 – 2016 she appeared on “Code Black.”
“My training is grounded in theatre,” Ellia stated. “My career was just starting out when I had the opportunity to work on Nunsense. I had to do on-the-job training…learning to improvise.”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” was created by David and has a long list of celebrity guest appearances that include Wanda Sykes, Ted Danson, Mil Brooks, Martin Scorsese, Seth Rogen, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael J. Fox. The comedy series is executive produced by Larry David and Jeff Garlin and is a single-camera shot show.
‘I have a new project ‘My Sisters and Me’. I play ‘me’ – Ellia – the youngest sister,” Ellia English said to me as we ended my interview. “Her sisters are bossy. It’s a comedy…I’m launching it on YouTube.” www.HBO.com/Curb-Your-Enthusiasm
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is in its 25th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday, April 20, 2024, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and a National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $19,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.comor to RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email [email protected].
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