Elizabeth Ashley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Ashley
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Ashley in 1971
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| Born |
Elizabeth Ann Cole
August 30, 1939 Ocala, Florida, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Known for |
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| Spouse(s) |
James McCarthy
(m. 1975; div. 1981) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play American Theater Hall of Fame |
Elizabeth Ann Cole (born August 30, 1939), known by her stage name Elizabeth Ashley, is an American actress who has starred in theater, movies, and television shows. She is a highly respected performer who has won a Tony Award, which is a top prize for live theater.
Ashley became famous for her role in the 1962 play Take Her, She's Mine. She also received award nominations for her part in the 1964 movie The Carpetbaggers and the 1990s TV show Evening Shade. Over her long career, she was a popular guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, appearing 24 times. In 2024, she was honored by being added to the American Theater Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Education
Elizabeth Ashley was born in Ocala, Florida, and her name at birth was Elizabeth Ann Cole. Her father, Arthur Kingman Cole, was a music teacher, and her mother was Lucille Ayer. She spent her childhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
After one year at Louisiana State University, Ashley decided to move to New York City to become an actress. She trained at the famous Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. To support herself while studying, she worked as a model and appeared in TV commercials.
A Successful Acting Career
Elizabeth Ashley has had a long and successful career on stage, in movies, and on television for more than 60 years.
On the Broadway Stage
Ashley's career took off on Broadway. In 1962, she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her role in the play Take Her, She's Mine. The next year, she starred in the first-ever production of Neil Simon's famous comedy, Barefoot in the Park.
She returned to Broadway in 1974 to play the character Maggie in a new production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams. She earned Tony nominations for both Barefoot in the Park and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Later, she appeared in other major plays like Agnes of God (1982) and August: Osage County.
Famous Movie Roles
Ashley has also appeared in many popular movies. Some of her early films include The Carpetbaggers (1964), Ship of Fools (1965), and The Third Day (1965).
Her other movie appearances include:
- The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker (1971)
- Rancho Deluxe (1975)
- Coma (1978)
- Paternity (1981)
- Dragnet (1987)
- Vampire's Kiss (1989)
- Ocean's 8 (2018)
Work in Television
Ashley is also well-known for her work on TV. She worked with actor Burt Reynolds several times. They first appeared together in an episode of Love, American Style in 1969. They later co-starred in the movie Paternity and she was a main cast member on his show Evening Shade from 1990 to 1994.
She has been a guest star on many popular shows, including:
- The Six Million Dollar Man
- Miami Vice
- Murder, She Wrote
- Law & Order
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Russian Doll
She also had a recurring role as Aunt Mimi in the HBO series Treme.
Personal Life
Elizabeth Ashley has been married three times. Her first two husbands were actors James Farentino and George Peppard. She starred with Peppard in her first big movie, The Carpetbaggers. She and Peppard had one son, Christian.
Early in her career, Ashley took a four-year break from acting to focus on her family. She later returned to her career on stage and screen.
Writing
In 1978, Ashley wrote a book about her life and experiences as an actress. The book is called Actress: Postcards from the Road. It gives readers a look into her journey through the world of theater and film.
