Ellen Hollman Speaks
Rising star actress, Ellen Hollman, was raised in Detroit in a family professional musicians. Her father was a violist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and her mother was a master pianist. While Ellen was immersed in the brilliance of classical music, she tended toward the athletic side, and even broke the Michigan state high school record in the long jump at 17.5 feet. Perhaps it was her combination of classical inspiration, physical fitness and drop dead gorgeous looks that helped land her the role of Saxa on Starz’s original swords & sandals drama, Spartacus: Vengeance.
Mike Parker – You grew up in an artistic environment, with both of your parents classically trained musicians. What affect did that have on your career decisions?
Ellen Hollman – Discipline. It taught me self-discipline. I learned that you can have someone looking over your shoulder, but you still have to do the work. Both of my parents achieved their professional status through hard work, and I learned from that. Nobody tells you how much you have to study and work to be successful. There is no equation. You have to take a hard look at yourself to gauge whether you are ready or not.
Parker – Did you ever have any aspirations of becoming a musician?
Ellen – I actually play piano and violin, but I don’t have a passion for it. It didn’t make me wake up in the morning wanting to do it, or go to bed thinking about it. I was always more athletic. When I was a kid I was more interested in beating up boys on the playground than practicing music.
Parker – Saxa, you’re character in Spartacus: Vengeance, is described as “beautiful, vicious, intelligent, and fiercely passionate.” Type casting, or do you have to work at it?
Ellen – (laughs) I’m pretty sure I walk in the room as Hurricane Ellen.
Parker – What are the biggest challenges of acting in a period piece like Spartacus?
Ellen – In 70 BC there were no Germans; at least there was no written history of those people groups, so there wasn’t much to reference. I had to fill in a lot of blanks. Back in that day strong female characters where forced into submission. I had to prepare to be the fastest, strongest, most robust in order to compete with the men. The hard part was filling in the blanks, but I’ve got some great cast members who set the bar for me, so that helped.
Parker – Tell me about Visual Impact Now.
Ellen – My baby! Visual Impact Now is the largest non-profit organization in LA for providing eye care to disadvantaged youth. We keep doubling in size every year. It is a one-stop shop eye clinic. We conduct visual acuity tests; we conduct an eye exam; and then the child gets to choose their own eyeglasses.
I have very poor eyesight, and I can’t imagine a world without my glasses or contacts. 80 percent of learning is visual, so children who can’t afford vision correction are at such a disadvantage. When it comes to their charitable donations, people want to see results, immediate results. At Visual Impact Now people can see how their gifts are being used, immediately. That ‘a ha’ moment means that you have changed a life. It is the most inspiring thing I’ve ever done.
Parker – Last words?
Ellen – Just some advice to aspiring actors – never give up, never compromise. If you are passionate about your career don’t let anything stand in your way. You’ll get there.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Ellen – Robust laughter.
2. What makes you happy?
Ellen – A tub of hummus and a fabulous glass of cabernet. The feeling of exhaustion after a long productive day.
3. What makes you angry?
Ellen – Liars.
4. What is the secret of success?
Ellen – Persistance.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Ellen – Sgt. Michael Kashkoush, USMC. He was my best pal, who I lost during his overseas service.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Ellen – “Lover and fighter to the very end.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Ellen – “Took you longer than expected. You’ve been ignoring our invitation.”
Photo Credit: Joe DeAngelis
