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Brooke Elliott (born November 16, 1974) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in musical theatre, including the US tours of Beauty and the Beast and Wicked, and the Broadway theatre productions of Taboo and The Pirate Queen. She is known for her roles as Jane Bingum on the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva (2009–2014) and as Dana Sue Sullivan in the Netflix romantic drama Sweet Magnolias (2020–present).
Elliott worked as a Temporary work and a waitress, including working at a 1950s-themed restaurant where she had to dance on the tables every hour.
She credits Rosie O'Donnell with getting her first Broadway theatre role alongside Boy George in Taboo. Rosie later described her as "fresh off a Disney Cruise", but allowed her to come back for a second attempt. Elliott spent $117 to change her outfit and make-up in order to be better suited to the role; O'Donnell reimbursed Elliott when she was awarded a part in the show. The show closed after only a hundred performances, but O'Donnell subsequently praised Elliott's passion for the show. Elliott went on to play Majella in The Pirate Queen, which opened in Chicago in 2006 and moved to Broadway in 2007.
Her first film role was in the Mel Gibson film What Women Want in 2000. Her first television role was in an episode of . In 2009, Elliott was cast as main character Jane Bingum on Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva. Producer Craig Zadan said of Elliott's casting, "We had to find somebody who's a beautiful leading lady, who can do the comedy and drama, and with Brooke, she nailed it". After the pilot, The New York Times described Elliott as "convincing, and even affecting, at every turn", and the Los Angeles Times said she was "a stage actress with fabulous comic timing and enormous dramatic flexibility". Elliott also sings on the soundtrack to the series. The show ended after its sixth season in 2014.
In 2016, Elliott starred opposite Katey Sagal in the CBS comedy pilot Upper Middle Bogan inspired by the Australian series. It was not ordered to series. In 2018, she went to star in the ABC comedy pilot created by Bobby Bowman about a dysfunctional family struggling with mental illness.
In 2019, Elliot was cast in a leading role on the Netflix romantic drama series Sweet Magnolias. In 2022, she executive produced and starred as a country music superstar in the Lifetime holiday movie A Country Christmas Harmony.
Personal life
During her time as the leading character in Drop Dead Diva, Elliott has discussed the perception of Plus-size model actresses on television, and describes her body type as normal sized, stating "The majority of women in America look like me. It's one of the things I love about the show."
Filmography
Film
2000 What Women Want Woman in park 2017 Trew Calling Kendra 2019 More Beautiful for Having Been Broken Kat
Television
Theatre
2003 Taboo Big Sue Leigh's main assistant and confidante. Character based on Sue Tilley. 2005, 2007 Wicked Madame Morrible (understudy) and ensemble Broadway musical, US tour & Los Angeles 2007 The Pirate Queen Majella Broadway musical
Discography
Cast recordings
Compilation albums
Awards and Nominations
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!Year
!Awarding Body
!Category
!Nominated work
!Result
! class="unsortable" 2009 Satellite Award for Best Actress Television Series Musical or Comedy Drop Dead Diva Nominated 2010 Gracie Award Female Rising Star in a Comedy Series Drop Dead Diva Won 2011 Prism Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series Drop Dead Diva Nominated Women's Image Network Awards Best Actress Comedy Series Drop Dead Diva Won 2014 Prism Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series Drop Dead Diva Nominated
External links
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