Ellia English

Ellia English is an American singer, dancer, stage and film actress. She is best known for her role as Helen Aunt Helen King on the comedy sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show which originally ran from 19962001 and as Mary Lou Wentz, the mother of Teddys best friend Ivy on Good Luck Charlie from 20102014. English was featured in a central role on the show, and was paired onscreen with Garrett Morris, who plays her husband Junior King.

English was born in Covington, Georgia. After an early graduation from high school, English attended Clark College in Atlanta, in hopes of becoming a lawyer. However, when the head of the drama department overhead her singing and offered her one of the leading roles in their musical production, Ellias life took a different turn. She later transferred to Georgia State University where she studied speech and drama, and soon became an ensemble player at the Alliance Theater. Thoroughly dedicated to a life of acting, the next step was to travel to New York. There, English starred in such productions as Aint Misbehavin, Ma Raineys Black Bottom, Colored Museum, Dreamgirls, Romeo and Juliet, Spunk, Show Boat, Barnum, Nunsense and One Mo Time, to name a few. She also sang with the Community Choir as one of their solo recording artists.

Source: Wikipedia