Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Ann Cole, professionally known as Elizabeth Ashley, was born on August 30, 1939, in Ocala, Florida. During her early childhood, her family relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she was raised. Ashley briefly attended Louisiana State University but left during her freshman year to pursue a career in acting. She moved to New York City and studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, supporting herself by working as a commercial actress and showroom model.

Broadway Breakthrough and Stage Career

Ashley made her Broadway debut in 1959, performing the role of Esmeralda in Jean-Paul Sartre’s play “Dirty Hands.” She gained prominence after understudying leading roles in “Roman Candle” and “Mary, Mary,” eventually securing the part of Mollie in the Broadway comedy “Take Her, She’s Mine.” Her performance earned her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play, as well as a Theatre World Award. In 1963, she received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Corie Bratter in Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” opposite Robert Redford. Her third Tony nomination came for her role as Maggie in a Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Film Career

Ashley’s success on stage led to opportunities in Hollywood. She made her film debut in 1964 with “The Carpetbaggers,” based on a best-selling novel by Harold Robbins. Although the film received a lukewarm critical response, it marked the beginning of a long film career. She followed with roles in “Ship of Fools” and “The Third Day” (both 1965) and continued to appear in films over the next several decades. Notable roles include parts in “The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker” (1971), “Rancho Deluxe” (1975), “Coma” (1978), “Paternity” (1981), “Windows” (1980), “Dragnet” (1987), and “Vampire's Kiss” (1989). She later appeared as Diane Freed in “Happiness” (1998) and as Marge in “The Cake Eaters” (2007).

Television Appearances

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ashley appeared in a range of television productions. She portrayed Kate in the NBC miniseries “Sandburg’s Lincoln” and guest-starred in several popular shows including “Ben Casey,” “Route 66,” “Sam Benedict,” “Stoney Burke,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Family,” “Miami Vice,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Murder, She Wrote.”

Ashley worked alongside Burt Reynolds in the film “Paternity” (1981) and later guest-starred on his television series “B.L. Stryker” in 1989. This collaboration led to a regular role as Aunt Frieda Evans on the CBS sitcom “Evening Shade,” which aired from 1990 to 1994. For her work on the show, Ashley received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Publications and Career Longevity

In 1978, Ashley published her memoir, “Actress: Postcards from the Road.” The book was well received and quickly became a bestseller. Her memoir offered insight into her life on stage and screen and contributed to her ongoing financial stability. Much of Ashley’s work has been in theatrical and independent productions, fields that often yield modest financial returns. Nevertheless, her consistent work and publication success have helped establish a net worth estimated at over one million dollars.