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Ellen Albertini Dow
Ellen Albertini Dow.jpg
Dow as Rosie in The Wedding Singer
Born
Ellen Rose Albertini

(1913-11-16)November 16, 1913
Died May 4, 2015(2015-05-04) (aged 101)
Resting place Saint Peter's Cemetery
Alma mater Cornell University (1935)
Occupation Actress, acting coach
Years active 1985–2013
Spouse(s)
Eugene Francis Dow Jr.
(m. 1951; his death 2004)

Ellen Rose Albertini Dow (born November 16, 1913 – died May 4, 2015) was an American actress and acting teacher. She was known for playing strong, older women in movies and TV shows.

Many people remember her as Rosie, the rapping grandmother in the movie The Wedding Singer (1998). In that film, she famously performed the song "Rapper's Delight".

Dow also appeared in other popular movies. She played Mary Cleary in Wedding Crashers, Disco Dottie in 54, and a choir nun in Sister Act. On TV, she was a guest star on shows like The Golden Girls and Will & Grace.

Early Life and Education

Ellen Albertini was born on November 16, 1913, in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest of seven children. Her parents, Ellen and Oliver, were immigrants from Italy. Her father owned a car dealership.

From a young age, Ellen studied dance and piano. She later moved to New York City to continue her studies. There, she worked with famous dancers and choreographers like Hanya Holm and Martha Graham.

College and Acting Studies

Dow went to Cornell University, where she earned two degrees in theater. She graduated in 1935. She also studied acting with teachers like Michael Shurtleff and Uta Hagen. In New York City, she worked with famous mimes Marcel Marceau and Jacques Lecoq.

Career Highlights

Teaching Drama

After moving to Los Angeles with her husband, Ellen Dow began teaching drama. She taught at Los Angeles City College. Later, she and her husband taught together at Los Angeles Pierce College.

She also started her own theater group called the Albertini Mime Players. She was the producer for this group for 19 years.

Acting Roles

Ellen Dow began her acting career later in life, but she became very busy. She appeared in many movies and TV shows.

Her TV roles included guest spots on popular series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Will & Grace, Hannah Montana, and Scrubs. She was known for her memorable appearances as quirky and spirited older characters.

Personal Life

Ellen Dow married Eugene Dow Jr. on June 27, 1951. She loved collecting hats. Eugene passed away on October 11, 2004. They did not have any children.

Ellen Albertini Dow died on May 4, 2015. She was 101 years old. Her death was caused by pneumonia.

She was a Roman Catholic and supported the Democratic Party throughout her life.

Filmography

Ellen Albertini Dow appeared in many films. Here are some of them:

Year Title Role Notes ref
1985 American Drive-In Allison
1986 Tough Guys Old Lady
Body Slam Organist
Munchies Little Old Lady
Walk Like a Man Organist
1988 Going to the Chapel Grandma Haldane
1990 My Blue Heaven Nun
Genuine Risk Receptionist
1991 Blood and Concrete Old Lady
1992 Memoirs of an Invisible Man Mrs. Coulson
Sister Act Choir Nun #1
Twogether Mrs. Norton
Space Case Betsy
1993 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Choir Nun #1
1994 Radioland Murders Organist
1995 Problem Child 3 Lila Duvane
1998 The Wedding Singer Rosie
Carnival of Souls Mrs. Meltzer
54 Disco Dottie
Patch Adams Aggie Kennedy
2000 Ready to Rumble Mrs. MacKenzie
Road Trip Mrs. Manilow
2001 Longshot Mrs. Fleisher
2002 Eight Crazy Nights See's Candies Box Voice
2005 Wedding Crashers Mary Cleary
Halfway Decent Mrs. Kahn
2006 Fat Girls Mildred
2007 The Blue Hour Anabella
2008 Lonely Street Lydia the Librarian
2010 The Invited Natalie Shaw
2011 Not Another Not Another Movie Older Rose
2012 She Wants Me Grandma Elma
2013 Frank the Bastard Dora Final film role

Television Appearances

Ellen Albertini Dow also had many roles on television. Here are some of them:

Year Title Role Notes ref
1986 The Twilight Zone Mrs. Hotchkiss Episode: "Need to Know"
Mr. Belvedere Old Lady Episode: "Grandma"
The Twilight Zone Old Woman Episode: "The Storyteller"
1987 Beauty and the Beast Anna Lausch Episode: "Nor Iron Bars a Cage"
1988 Moonlighting Mrs. Baer Episode: "Los Dos DiPestos"
Mr. Belvedere Old Lady Episode: "The Trip: Part 1"
Webster Mrs. Crane Episode: "Papa's Big Romance"
The Golden Girls Mrs. Leonard Episode: "The Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo"
Lillian Episode: "Sophia's Choice"
1991 Sarah Episode: "Older and Wiser"
1992 The Wonder Years Mrs. Tambora Episode: "Kevin Delivers"
1992 Down the Shore The Old Woman Episode: "Atlantic City"
1993 Star Trek: The Next Generation Felisa Howard Episode: "Sub Rosa"
1994 Family Matters Mrs. Ostendorf Episode: "That's What Friends Are For"
1995 ER Mrs. Riblet Episode: "Hell & High Water"
Seinfeld Peterman's mother Episode: "The Secret Code"
1997 Beyond Belief - Fact or Fiction Aunt Connie Segment: "Mystery Lock"
Sabrina the Teenage Witch Homeowner Episode: "A River of Candy Corn Runs Through It"
1999 Just Shoot Me! Mrs. Gallo Episode: "Jack Vents"
2001 Will & Grace Sylvia Walker Episode: "The Young and the Tactless"
2005 Scrubs Betty Episode: "My Faith in Humanity"
Six Feet Under Roberta Episode: "Time Flies"
My Name Is Earl Gertrude Balboa Episode: "Broke Joy's Fancy Figurine"
2006 Hannah Montana Katherine McCord Episode: "Debt It Be"
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide Miss Knapp Episode: “ Social Studies/Embarrassment”
The Emperor's New School Azma Voice, episode: "The Bride of Kuzco"
2007 Cold Case Audrey Abruzzi Episode: "Torn"
2011 Shameless The Real Aunt Ginger Episode: "Aunt Ginger"
2012 Family Guy Aunt Helen Voice, episode: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!"
2013 New Girl Aunt Ruthie Episode: "Chicago"

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ellen Albertini Dow para niños

  • List of centenarians (actors, filmmakers and entertainers)
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