Ellen Becker-Gray, a talented actress, grew up in the charming seacoast town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, where she developed a passion for the performing arts at a young age. Her first stage appearance was at the tender age of 10, when she performed in the "Dream Ballet" in the classic musical, Oklahoma. This marked the beginning of a lifelong dream to pursue an acting career.
Born into a show business family, Ellen's mother was a skilled dancer and model, while her father, a well-known dentist in the Boston area, was a jazz aficionado who had the privilege of treating renowned jazz musicians such as Jack Teagarden, Cozy Cole, and Buck Clayton. Moreover, her father was a TV and radio personality, focusing on dental health, and was one of the few non-musicians in the International Press Club Jazz Hall of Fame. Ellen had the unique opportunity to attend jazz jam sessions and cookouts with legendary talents like Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars.
Ellen's aspirations went beyond just performing, as she also wanted to teach and integrate the performing arts with curriculum. After earning a Master's degree in Education from Smith College, she embarked on a teaching career that spanned over 30 years, during which she was honored when a published children's book was dedicated to her. Eventually, Ellen decided to take early retirement to focus on her acting career, which allowed her to direct, produce, and teach acting in addition to performing.
Ellen's transition to film began in the summer of 2004, when she attended a casting call for a television pilot during her summer stock break. Although she had no illusions about the differences between film and theater acting, she recognized the value of her theater training in film work, enabling her to improvise, analyze characters emotionally, and bring that insight into the process naturally. She was cast in the pilot and later appeared in a dozen episodes of the series, marking a turning point in her career. Since then, she has worked in over 85 films, commercials, educational videos, and television shows.
Ellen's impressive body of work has earned her numerous accolades, including the "Best Actress Award" in 2007 for the Providence 48 Hour Film Project and the "Audience Choice Award" for the 2008 film project. She has also been featured in various issues of Imagine Magazine, including Talented New England Actors (March 2013),New England Actors (March 2011),and Women in the Industry (November 2009).
As a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor's Equity, Ellen has had the opportunity to rub shoulders with industry legends, including the legendary Julie Andrews, whom she congratulated on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at a party in LA. At that special moment, Ellen had the chance to express her admiration for Ms. Andrews, who has been one of her inspirations.
Ellen is married to Rob Gray, who is also active in the industry, and they met over 35 years ago while working together at a theatre in New England.
