Ellie Weingardt
- Actress
- Producer
Eleanor (Bass) Weingardt lives in Highland Park Illinois with her
husband, where she raised four children. One daughter, Traci, is a
noted Chicago musician and song writer. Ellie, was raised on the south
side of Chicago in an area called Marquette Park with her brother and
sister. Ellie performed as a child actor on stage and as a singer. Most
notably with Jack and Jill Players in the fifties. After high school
she ventured to New York and performed off Broadway in "Beauty and the
Beast" at the Royal Playhouse. She returned to Chicago a year later and
performed in THE "Fantastics", at Roosevelt. She married and later
moved to a home in Highland Park with four little ones in tow. Needing
a creative outlet, her husband encouraged her to do some theater,
again. She did a local theater play and fell in love all over again
with the stage. A new theater company was starting out in Highland
Park, and she decided to audition. She won the role of Queen Gertrude
in "Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead" with the notable Steppenwolf
Theatre Company. Being drawn to this life again, with four little ones
was a maddening experience to say the least. Raising her kids was her
first priority so she worked in a play whenever she could and took
acting classes. She studied at Second City loving improvisation and
pursued a voice-over career with some success. She even taught at
Columbia College. Then came her first major film winning the role of
the charm school teacher in "A League of Their Own" working with every
major star of the day. A fitting beginning for the girl who won a trip
to the Oscars on a radio show. Ellie also performs as an impersonator
for corporate events as she awaits the prime film and television roles
she so justly deserves.