Ellen Albertini Dow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ellen Albertini Dow
Dow as Rosie in The Wedding Singer
Born	Ellen Rose Albertini (1913-11-16)November 16, 1913 Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 4, 2015(2015-05-04) (aged 101) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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:

Television Appearances

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

See Also

In Spanish: Ellen Albertini Dow para niños

• List of centenarians (actors, filmmakers and entertainers)