Elise Neal
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| Elise Neal | |
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| Image:Elise Neal in 2008.jpg Neal at the Slim-Fast Fashion Show, 2008 |
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| Born | March 14, 1966 Memphis, Tennessee U.S. |
Elise Neal (born March 14, 1966) is an American film and television actress. Neal has demonstrated her versatility in roles from Hustle and Flow to the cult horror classic Scream 2. She has worked with such acclaimed directors/producers such as John Singleton, Brian DePalma, Steven Spielberg and Craig Brewer.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Neal, a Memphis, Tennessee native was born on March 14, 1966, daughter of a construction worker.[1] Elise Neal attended South Memphis' Lakeview Elementary and also as a child, she took up ballet. She later became a cheerleader and back in her cheerleading days, she broke her left wrist in a high toss. Her wrist never straightened back out completely. She graduated from Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in 1984, and attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Elise Neal moved to New York City, where she landed roles in musical theater and found herself traveling the world with various touring companies. Her experience in musical theater allowed her to easily transition into commercials, eventually bringing her to Los Angeles.
[edit] Career
Once in Los Angeles, Neal landed the role of "Janice Sinclair" on the ABC soap opera Loving. Shortly after, she made the leap to primetime on seaQuest 2032, whose executive producer was Steven Spielberg. Her film debut was a starring role in John Singleton's Rosewood. Other film credits include: Paid in Full, Money Talks, Mission to Mars and Restaurant. Neal's newest film, 4 Life, also starring Wood Harris, hit stores July 3, 2007. This project also marks her first debut soundtrack single, "I'm Down Baby", produced by Hustle & Flow's award-winning songwriter. She is currently appearing in the series K-Ville, which stars Anthony Anderson and Cole Hauser.
Neal will also be seen in Ransom Games, playing a wife forced to negotiate for the safe return of her husband. Expanding her role as producer, Elise Neal is creating and developing several multimedia projects: a reality show based on her R & B group, "Assorted Flavors", a fitness and lifestyle brand, and multiple feature projects through her development deal with Mandalay Bay Entertainment.
Neal and the rest of the cast of Hustle and Flow were nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award for best ensemble, an NAACP award for Best Picture, and won as Best Cast at the "Young Hollywood" awards. She has three NAACP award nominations: Best Actress in a Comedy for The Hughleys twice and a Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Hustle and Flow.
Neal appeared in Aretha Franklin's video A Rose is a Rose and in 50 Cent's music video for "Follow My Lead" Vanessa Williams's video "Work to Do" as well as Portrait's Honey Dip. Neal graced the cover of the November, 2007 edition of King Magazine.
[edit] Filmography
- Love Ranch (2009)
- Who's Deal? (2008)
- 4 Life (2007)
- Hustle & Flow (2005)
- Playas Ball (2003)
- All of Us (2003)
- Paid in Full (2002)
- Mission to Mars (2000)
- The Hughleys (1998)
- Restaurant (1998)
- Scream 2 (1997)
- Rosewood (1997)
- Money Talks (1997)
- How to Be a Player (1997)
- SeaQuest DSV (1993)
- Malcolm X (1992)
