
Ellen Albertini Dow
ActingAbout Ellen Albertini Dow
Ellen Rose Albertini Dow (November 16, 1913 – May 4, 2015) was an American film and television character actress and drama coach. She portrayed feisty old ladies and may be best known as the rapping grandmother Rosie in The Wedding Singer (1998), performing "Rappers Delight". Dow's other film roles include elderly lady Mary Cleary who "outs" her grandson in Wedding Crashers, Disco Dottie in 54, the recipient of Christopher Lloyd's character's slapstick in Radioland Murders and a choir nun in Sister Act. She was best known to small screen audiences for her guest appearances on sitcom The Golden Girls. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ellen Albertini Dow,licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ellen Albertini Dow reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 27 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Ellen Albertini Dow's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 19% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ellen Albertini Dow remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Patch Adams, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Ellen Albertini Dow Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ellen Albertini Dow's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ellen Albertini Dow.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Frank the Bastard | Dora | Flop | Similar → |
| 2011 | Not Another Not Another Movie | Rose | Flop | Similar → |
| 2010 | The Invited | Natalie Shaw | Flop | Similar → |
| 2009 | Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling | Mrs. Bessler | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | The Blue Hour | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Fat Girls | Mildred | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Wedding Crashers | Grandma Mary Cleary | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Annie's Point | Louise Tette | Flop | Similar → |
| 2002 | Eight Crazy Nights | See's Candies Box (voice) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2001 | Longshot | Ms. Fleisher | Flop | Similar → |
| 2000 | Road Trip | Barry's Grandma | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Ready to Rumble | Mrs. MacKenzie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1998 | Patch Adams | Aggie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | 54 | Disco Dottie | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Carnival of Souls | Mrs. Meltzer | Flop | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Wedding Singer | Rosie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Problem Child 3 | Lila Duvane | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Radioland Murders | Organist | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit | Choir Nun | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Sister Act | Choir Nun | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Memoirs of an Invisible Man | Mrs. Coulson | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Space Case | Betsy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | Blood and Concrete | Old Lady | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | My Blue Heaven | Nun | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Going to the Chapel | Grandma Haldane | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | Munchies | Little Old Lady | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | American Drive-In | Allison | Flop | Similar → |
Ellen Albertini Dow - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Ellen Albertini Dow?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ellen Albertini Dow is "Patch Adams" with a rating of 7.3/10.
How many movies has Ellen Albertini Dow acted in?
Ellen Albertini Dow has been featured in at least 27 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Ellen Albertini Dow?
Other notable films include "The Blue Hour", "The Wedding Singer", and "Sister Act".




