Ella Joyce facts for kids

Ella Joyce, born Cherron Hoye on June 12, 1954, is a talented American actress. She is well-known for her role as Eleanor Emerson in the TV show Roc. This popular comedy-drama aired on Fox from 1991 to 1994. Ella Joyce has also appeared in many movies, including Set It Off (1996), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002), Our Family Wedding (2010), Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013), and Nina (2016).

Early Life and Education

Ella Joyce was born Cherron Hoye in Chicago, Illinois. Her father worked in a car factory, and her mother was a hairdresser. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan.

She attended the Performing Arts Curriculum at Cass Technical High School. Later, she studied Dramatic Arts at Eastern Michigan University. When she faced financial challenges, she returned to Detroit. There, she went to business school and worked as an executive secretary at General Motors.

While working, she also read scripts for director Lloyd Richards. He encouraged her to try acting on screen. After moving to Harlem, New York City, she worked as a word processor. She used this time to improve her acting skills. In 1979, she got her first film role. She then changed her name to Ella Joyce to honor her mother and great-grandmother. She has learned from many acting teachers and performed in theaters across America and other countries.

Acting Career Highlights

Ella Joyce has had a long and successful career in both theater and film. She is known for her strong performances.

On Stage

Ella Joyce started her acting journey in theater. She performed in many plays, earning awards and praise.

• She played roles in famous plays like Fences.
• She was the first actress to play Risa in the world premiere of Two Trains Running at Yale University.
• She also originated the role of Tonya in King Hedley II.
• For her role as Lily Ann Green in Crumbs from the Table of Joy, she won The Joseph Jefferson Award.
• She has received other honors, including the New York AUDELCO award.
• She also got an NAACP Image Nomination for her work in theater and television.
• In 1998, she received the Spirit Of Detroit Award from the Mayor's Office.
• She won an Ovation Award for her role as Ruby in August Wilson’s King Hedley II.
• Ella Joyce is also a founder and performer at The National Black Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

In Movies and Television

Ella Joyce made her TV debut in 1990 in an episode of Katts and Dog. Her first movie role was a small part in the 1992 comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

• From 1991 to 1994, she starred with Charles S. Dutton in the TV series Roc.
• In 1995, she appeared in the pilot episode of the NBC show NewsRadio.
• She also made a cameo in the music video for TLC's song "Waterfalls".
• She guest-starred in many TV shows like The Client, Dangerous Minds, Seinfeld, and The Jamie Foxx Show.
• From 2003 to 2004, she had a recurring role as Jasmine Scott in the ABC sitcom My Wife & Kids.
• From 2004 to 2005, she played Mama Netta Pearl in Eve.

In movies, Ella Joyce has taken on many different roles:

• In 1996, she co-starred in the action film Set It Off.
• She played Sheyann Webb's mother in the TV movie Selma, Lord, Selma (1999).
• In 2001, she was in the prison drama Stranger Inside.
• The next year, she starred in the horror-comedy Bubba Ho-Tep with Bruce Campbell.
• She appeared in films like Preacher's Kid (2010) and Our Family Wedding (2010).
• In 2013, she starred in Tyler Perry's romantic drama Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor. She played Jurnee Smollett's mother in the film.
• In 2016, she was in the biographical film Nina.
• In 2013, Joyce starred in the TV One sitcom Belle's.
• More recently, she had supporting roles in films like Resolution Song (2018) and Never and Again (2021).
• In 2022, she was cast as Tami Roman's character's mother in the BET drama series Haus of Vicious.

Personal Life

Ella Joyce is married to actor Dan Martin. She has also written a book called Kink Phobia, Journey Through a Black Woman's Hair.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Ella Joyce para niños