What Has The Cast Of 'Ellen' Done Since The Sitcom Ended?
In 1994, the sitcom These Friends of Mine debuted on ABC. The series followed Ellen Morgan (played by Ellen DeGeneres) and her friends navigating life in Los Angeles. At the start of season two, the title changed to Ellen and a new cast was assembled. The show made DeGeneres a star and made history with its special coming out episode in the fourth season.
After season five, the show was canceled. Many cite the backlash DeGeneres received from her coming out to be the reason. In the years since the show ended, many place particular emphasis on the history-making coming out episode.
However, the rest of the cast was special and crucial to the show's success as well. What have they done since the sitcom came to an end?
8 Jack Plotnick
Jack Plotnick played the role of Barrett on the show. His character was one half of the frequently seen gay couple on the show, whom Ellen was friends with. He is best known for his role in Gods and Monsters, a 1998 period drama where he played the role of Edmund Kay. Since Ellen, Plotnick has found other roles, such as the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Drawn Together. He also appeared in the film Wrong and as his drag persona Evie Harris in Girls Will Be Girls. He had a recurring role on The Mentalist and co-wrote Space Station 76.
7 Patrick Bristow
Patrick Bristow played the role of Peter Barnes on Ellen. His character first appeared as a fellow volunteer at a call center where Ellen worked. His character became a recurring role on the show in later seasons. His character entered into a relationship with Barrett, a coupling which would serve as the show's first openly gay characters before Ellen's own coming out. Bristow had a role in the 1995 film Showgirls. Since Ellen, he has appeared in films like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Pain and Gain. He also appeared in the show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
6 Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Piven played the role of Ellen's cousin Spence on the show. He was brought in to fill the void left by the character of Adam (played by Arye Gross), who exited the show in the third season. Spence's rougher demeanor contrasted Ellen's kind nature. This made for brilliant comedic moments between the two. Piven later found success as the agent Ari Gold in the hit HBO series Entourage. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Emmys for four consecutive years, winning in three of them. He was later accused of assault by several women in 2017 and 2018. Piven denied all the allegations.
5 Alice Hirson
Alice Hirson played Ellen's mother, Lois Morgan. Lois was an endearing character and her butting heads with Ellen always made for great comedy. Following Ellen, she appeared in the drama series 7th Heaven for eight episodes across ten years, from 1996 to 2006. She played the character of Jenny Jackson, the mother of Annie Camden, played by Catherine Hicks. She had a recurring role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager as well as guest spots on Law & Order, ER, NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Just Shoot Me!, and Cold Case.
4 Joely Fisher
Joely Fisher played the role of Ellen's best friend Paige Clark. She was introduced in the show's second season after major changes were made to the show following season one. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 1998 Golden Globe Awards. Following Ellen, Fisher appeared alongside Matthew Broderick in the film Inspector Gadget in the role of Dr. Brenda Bradford. She later starred opposite Brad Garrett in the sitcom 'Til Death as Joy Clark.
3 Clea Lewis
Clea Lewis played the role of Ellen's annoying-but-loving friend Audrey Penney. Her character was introduced in the first season as a one-time guest appearance. In the second season, she was a recurring character who went on to become part of the main cast in season three. During her time on Ellen, she appeared in shows like Mad About You and Double Rush. She also appeared in the pilot of Friends. She went on to do voiceover work as the voice of Amy Lawrence in 2000's Tom Sawyer. She also voiced characters in cartoon shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and Pepper Ann.
2 David Anthony Higgins
David Anthony Higgins played the character of Joe on Ellen. Joe was a barista who had an outspoken nature and a lazy attitude. He and Ellen both worked at the same book store. His character was introduced toward the end of the first season. Higgins appeared in and co-wrote the 1997 film The Wrong Guy. He also played the role of Craig Feldspar in Malcolm in the Middle, a role he's probably most famous for. Higgins also played Mr. Bitters in Big Time Rush. He later appeared as Stan in three episodes of American Horror Story: Murder House. He was also a series regular in the sitcom Mike & Molly.
1 Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres played the role of Ellen Morgan on the show. Her character was a cashier-turned-manager at a book store. She came out as gay in season four along with DeGeneres herself. After the show was canceled, DeGeneres appeared in the television film If These Walls Could Talk 2, opposite Sharon Stone. DeGeneres also returned to standup, with two specials airing on HBO. She started a new sitcom, The Ellen Show, which was canceled after 13 episodes. In 2003, she launched The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a talk show which would air for 19 seasons. The final episode aired in May 2022.
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