- Began her career in the early 70's as a cabaret singer in such famed New York City night spots as Reno Sweeney's in Greenwich Village.
- She is most famous as the lispy, bubble-headed blonde Audrey in the stage production of the cult favorite "Little Shop of Horrors," which she played for two years (1982-1984), then transferred to film with the same title Little Shop of Horrors (1986).
- She attended Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
- Ellen Greene, who originated the role of Audrey in the 1982 off-Broadway production of the Ashman/Menken musical "Little Shop of Horrors" and repeated her performance in the 1986 movie version, stepped back into the role in 2015--at the age of 64--for a two-night concert version, part of the New York City Center's Encores! series. Her love interests, Seymour and Orin, were played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Taran Killam, who were 34 and 33, respectively. Interestingly, this was shortly after Gyllenhaal's sister Maggie had made headlines for revealing that she had recently been rejected for a part on the basis that at 37 she is "too old" to play the love interest of a 55-year-old man.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1977 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for a revival of "The Threepenny Opera."
- She is of Belarusian Jewish descent.
- Attended W.T. Clarke High School in Westbury, NY.
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