Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (also credited as Aunjanue L. Ellis and Aunjanue Ellis) is an American screen and television actress born on February 21, 1969, in San Francisco, California. Known for emotionally precise performances, she has earned major industry recognition, including nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Ellis-Taylor’s film work spans studio dramas, thrillers, and character-driven indies. Early notable credits include Men of Honor (as Jo), Undercover Brother (as Sistah Girl), The Caveman's Valentine (as Lulu), Desert Blue (as Agent Summers), and Freedomland (as Felicia). She later appeared in high-profile titles such as Ray, The Help, If Beale Street Could Talk, and The Taking of Pelham 123.

Her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard (2021) brought her an Academy Award nomination and cemented her status as a standout supporting performer. She has continued that momentum with roles in The Color Purple and Origin, and she is set to appear in Nickel Boys.

On television, Ellis-Taylor has been a steady presence in series including High Incident, The Practice, True Blood, The Mentalist, and Quantico. She also drew acclaim in TV movies like Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (as Candy) and earned Emmy nominations for When They See Us and Lovecraft Country.