Ellanora Needles was an American actress best known for her stage performances and small roles in films. Born as Ellanora Robinson Needles, she had a brief yet notable career in entertainment.
Personal and Family Life
Born on September 1, 1918, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ellanora came from a well-known circus family. She studied acting at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where she married actor George Reeves in 1940. After their divorce in 1950, she married attorney Edward Milton Rose, with whom she had two daughters.
Career
Throughout her career, Ellanora primarily acted in plays across California and took on small movie roles. She initially used the name Shelley Spencer for a part in the film Leather Burners, which featured her husband. After a break from film, she returned in the 1950s but mostly took uncredited roles, often appearing as Sarah Spencer before retiring from acting. In her later years, she also worked as a religious minister.
Death and Legacy
Ellanora Needles passed away on February 7, 2002, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 83. She left behind two daughters from her marriage to Edward Rose. Her legacy continues through her diverse contributions to both stage and film.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Her Twelve Men | 1954 | Mrs. Travers (uncredited) |
| Playgirl | 1954 | Fashion Editor (uncredited) |
| The Long, Long Trailer | 1954 | Tacy’s Girlfriend (uncredited) |
| I Led 3 Lives | 1953 | Comrade Alice Nixon (as Sarah Spencer) |
| The Bad and the Beautiful | 1952 | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Fearless Fagan | 1952 | Sgt. Redley (uncredited) |
| Skirts Ahoy! | 1952 | WAVE Instructor (uncredited) |
| Racket Squad | 1952 | (as Sarah Spencer) |
| Paula | 1952 | Nurse (uncredited) |
| Hoodlum Empire | 1952 | Ruth Stephens (uncredited) |
| Front Page Detective | 1951 | (as Sarah Spencer) |
| Starlift | 1951 | Miss Riley – Miss Parsons’ Assistant (uncredited) |
| Oh! Susanna | 1951 | Officer’s Wife at Dance (uncredited) |