Ellen Sandweiss
Ellen Sandweiss | |
|---|---|
Sandweiss in 2009 | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan (BFA, MA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Children | Jessy Hodges[1] |
| Relatives | Beck Bennett (son-in-law) |
Ellen Sandweiss is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cheryl Williams in The Evil Dead (franchise).
Early life
Sandweiss was born in Detroit, Michigan to a Jewish family.[2] She graduated from Groves High School in 1977,[2] where she participated in plays and later Super 8 movies with classmates Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell.[3] Sandweiss later earned a degree from the University of Michigan.
Career
She gained notoriety in the 1981 horror cult-classic The Evil Dead, playing Ash Williams' sister Cheryl. Afterwards, she went on a hiatus from acting for over 20 years. In 2006, Sandweiss starred in Satan's Playground. The following year, she appeared in My Name Is Bruce. In 2013, Sandweiss had a cameo role in Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful. In 2016, Sandweiss reprised her role as Cheryl Williams in Ash vs. Evil Dead, the character being reborn as a Deadite after a Kandarian demon possesses a photo of her.
Personal life
Sandweiss has performed in musical theatre as a dancer and pop singer, and in a one-woman show of Jewish music.[4]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Case of the Topanga Pearl | Sophisticated crime boss/Temptress | Short film |
| 1978 | Shemp Eats the Moon | The Snake | Short film |
| 1979 | Within the Woods | Ellen | Short film |
| 1981 | The Evil Dead | Cheryl Williams | Main role |
| 2006 | Satan's Playground | Paula | |
| 2007 | My Name is Bruce | Cheryl | |
| 2007 | Brutal Massacre: A Comedy | Natalie Vasquez | |
| 2007 | The Dread | Diane | |
| 2009 | Dangerous Women | Cheryl | 6 episodes |
| 2009 | Dark Fields | Mandy | |
| 2010 | The Other Way | Guest #1 | Short |
| 2013 | Oz the Great and Powerful | Quadling Woman | Cameo |
| 2013 | Evil Dead | Cheryl Williams | Voice cameo |
| 2016 | Ash vs Evil Dead | Cheryl Williams | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Sundowners | Dana | Short |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Evil Dead: The Game | Cheryl Williams |
References
- ^ Blake, Sam (2020-03-13). "From Huntington Woods to L.A — Catching up with Actress Jessy Hodges". thejewishnews.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b Blake, Sam (March 13, 2020). "From Huntington Woods to L.A — Catching up with Actress Jessy Hodges". The Detroit Jewish News. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024.
- ^ Graham, Adam (2021-10-05). "Life after Dead: Rooted in Michigan, cult hit 'The Evil Dead' turns 40". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
- ^ "Ladies of The Evil Dead - Ellen". Archived from the original on 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
External links
- Ellen Sandweiss Interview at Evil Dead Archives
- Ellen Sandweiss at IMDb