Ellia English Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Songs, Children

Ellia English is an American singer, dancer, actress, and performer best known for her vibrant role as Aunt Helen King on the WB sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001, where she delivered sharp wit and heartfelt family dynamics alongside Jamie Foxx and Garrett Morris.

With a career rooted in Broadway musicals, jazz vocals, and television ensembles, she has also shone as Auntie Rae on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm since 2007 and in films like Good Luck Chuck (2007).

Her stage presence, honed through productions like Dreamgirls and Ain’t Misbehavin’, combined with her gospel-infused singing, has made her an enduring talent in entertainment, blending humor, song, and dance with effortless grace.

Profile

• Full Name: Ellia English
• Stage Name: Ellia English
• Born: 26 March 1960
• Age: 65 years old
• Birthplace: Covington, Georgia, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Singer, Dancer, Actress
• Height: 1.73m
• Parents: Calvin English and Ella Mae English
• Siblings: 8
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Ellia English was born on March 26, 1960, in Covington, Georgia, to Calvin English, a Baptist minister, and Ella Mae English, a domestic worker.

As the middle child of nine siblings, she grew up in a large, faith-filled household that instilled a deep appreciation for music and performance.

After graduating high school early, she attended Clark College in Atlanta, majoring in music, before transferring to Georgia State University to study speech and drama.

Her ethnicity is African-American, and her religious beliefs align with Christianity, influenced by her father’s pastoral work.

Career

Ellia English started her professional journey in theater after college, joining the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta as an ensemble player, where she immersed herself in musicals and dramas that sparked her passion for stage work.

She moved to New York City in the early 1980s, auditioning relentlessly amid the city’s competitive scene, and soon landed Off-Broadway roles in productions like Harlem Nocturne and Ain’t Misbehavin’, showcasing her vocal prowess and dance skills.

Her television breakthrough came with the role of Sheila in the Fame pilot, leading to guest spots on shows like Empty Nest and Martin, while her Broadway credits in Dreamgirls and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom honed her ability to blend song, movement, and character depth, earning her a spot as a soloist with the New York Community Choir.

English’s television career took off in the 1990s with recurring roles on Sinbad and The Five Mrs. Buchanans, but her defining moment arrived as Aunt Helen King on The Jamie Foxx Show, where she played the sassy family matriarch over five seasons, delivering iconic one-liners and musical interludes that resonated with audiences.

She expanded into film with parts in Wildcats (1986) and Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004), and returned to HBO as Auntie Rae on Curb Your Enthusiasm starting in 2007, bringing her improvisational flair to Larry David’s world.

Voice work and made-for-TV movies like The Innocent followed, along with her gospel single That’s What Faith Is / You Gotta Believe It, which highlighted her roots in spiritual music and broadened her appeal across genres.

English remains a fixture in ensemble television, reprising Auntie Rae for Curb Your Enthusiasm’s twelfth season in 2024 and appearing as Mary Lou Wentz on Disney’s Good Luck Charlie and Nurse Isabel Mendez on Code Black.

Her film roles in Good Luck Chuck and Semi-Pro added comedic bite, while ongoing theater commitments and charity performances through Big Sisters of Los Angeles underscore her commitment to mentoring young performers.

Her legacy lies in bridging gospel, jazz, and sitcom storytelling, inspiring artists with her resilient path from Georgia stages to Hollywood spotlights.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @queenellia
• Facebook Handle: ELLIA ENGLISH
• Twitter Handle: @officiallyellia

Personal Life

Ellia English has no confirmed spouse or children, maintaining a single status focused on her craft and philanthropy.

Her hobbies include piano playing, reading, and park walks, offering a quiet counterbalance to her dynamic career.

Discography

• That’s What Faith Is / You Gotta Believe It (2003)

Net Worth

Ellia English has an estimated net worth of $5 million.

Her wealth primarily derives from long-running television roles on The Jamie Foxx Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm, which provided series regulars salaries and syndication residuals, alongside earnings from Broadway productions like Dreamgirls and film appearances in Good Luck Chuck.