Photo: Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada / CC BY 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is the definition of a quietly formidable actress whose name finally caught up with her talent. For years she delivered grounded, dignified performances in supporting roles before her turn as Oracene Williams in King Richard earned her a long-overdue Oscar nomination. What sets her apart is the interior life she brings, even small scenes feel lived-in and unhurried. Her work in When They See Us was devastating in its restraint. She is also outspoken about social justice in a way that feels integral to who she is, not performative. I find her one of the most reliably moving presences working today.
Overview
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (born February 21, 1969) is an American actress of stage, television, and film. Educated at Brown University, she has built a respected career across genres, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in King Richard (2021). She is also known for her work in The Color Purple and the limited series When They See Us.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
- Name (Japanese)
- アーンジャニュー・エリス＝テイラー
- Reading
- あーんじゃにゅー・えりす＝ていらー
- Born
- February 21, 1969 (age 57)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Rooster
- Origin
- San Francisco, California, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- Actress / Stage actress / Television actress / Film actress
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Brown University
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Color Purple | — | Unknown |
6. Links
Actress — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.