Biography

Pretty, curly-haired actress who amassed significant TV and film credits before attaining celebrity as the distaff member of the talented ensemble of the hit sitcom "Seinfeld" (NBC, 1989-). Ironically her role was not originally part of the comedy mix concocted by series creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. In fact her character was imposed by the network which maintained that the show's many masculine musings needed a feminine perspective. The suits were right in this instance. As Jerry's ex-girlfriend and confidante, Louis-Dreyfuss' made Elaine Benes sort of a grounding force for the comic and his pals as well as a smart and interesting person in her own right. 5 Louis-Dreyfus started out in two Chicago-based theater groups: the Practical Theatre company and the Second City comedy troupe. Moving to New York, she was cast as a regular on "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1982-84) which showcased her comedic talents to a much wider audience. Louis-Dreyfus segued to features, making small turns in several films including Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Soul Man" (both 1986). During breaks from "Seinfeld", she has appeared in "Jack the Bear" (1993) and Rob Reiner's poorly received "North" (1994). In the former, Louis-Dreyfus was the sympathetic co-worker of a devoted single Dad played by Danny De Vito. In the latter, she and "Seinfeld" co-star Jason Alexander portray the distracted parents of a practically perfect little boy. More recently, she was briefly glimpsed in Woody Allen's "Deconstructing Harry" (1997) and voiced one the Princess in the computer animated "A Bug's Life" (1998).

Filmography

"Watching Ellie" (2002) TV Series .... Eleanor 'Ellie' Riggs
Queen of the Whole Wide World (2001) .... Judge 1
Speak Truth to Power (2000) .... Various
Geppetto (2000) (TV) .... Blue Fairy

Animal Farm (1999) (TV) (voice) .... Mollie
Bug's Life, A (1998) (voice) .... Princess Atta
Deconstructing Harry (1997) .... Leslie
Fathers' Day (1997) .... Carrie Lawrence
London Suite (1996) (TV) .... Debra Dolby
... aka Neil Simon's London Suite (1996) (TV)
North (1994) .... North's Mom
All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! (1994) (TV) .... Herself
... aka Sesame Street's All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! (1994) (TV) (USA: complete title)
Jack the Bear (1993) .... Peggy Etinger
"Seinfeld" (1990) TV Series .... Elaine Marie Benes

Christmas Vacation (1989) .... Margo Chester
... aka National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
... aka National Lampoon's Winter Holiday (1989) (UK)
"Day by Day" (1988) TV Series .... Eileen Swift
"Art of Being Nick, The" (1986) TV Series .... Rachel
Soul Man (1986) .... Lisa Stinson
... aka Imposter, The (1986) (USA: alternative title)
Troll (1986) .... Jeanette Cooper
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) .... Mary
"Saturday Night Live" (1975) TV Series .... Herself (1982-1985)
... aka "NBC's Saturday Night" (1975) (USA)
... aka "SNL 25" (2000) (USA: new title)
... aka "SNL" (1975)
... aka "Saturday Night Live 80" (1980) (USA: new title)
... aka "Saturday Night" (1975)