Elise Neal
Neal at the Slim-Fast Fashion Show, 2008
Born	March 14, 1966 (1966-03-14) (age 43) Memphis, Tennessee U.S.
Years active	1992–present

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.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Partial Filmography 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Early life

Neal, a Memphis, Tennessee native, was born on March 14, 1966, daughter of a construction worker.^[1] She attended Lakeview Elementary in South Memphis. She was a ballet dancer and a cheerleader. She broke her left wrist in a high toss cheerleading stunt; after the bones healed, 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. After graduation, she 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 Prime time on seaQuest 2032, as fighter pilot Lieutenant J.J. Fredericks. 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 also appeared in the series K-Ville, which starred 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.

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, Chubb Rock's Music Video "Just The Two Of Us" & Trick Daddy's 2001 Music Video "I'm A Thug".

Expanding her role as producer, 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.

[edit] Partial 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 2032 (1995/1996)
• Malcolm X (1992)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Elise Neal at the Internet Movie Database