Biography
Ella Grace Helton is a powerhouse of personality who engulfs those around her with infectious positive energy. The deep empath brings moving performances to screen and stage in both comedy and drama, having enjoyed roles in TV, film, commercials and Broadway (all of those by age 6). The actress is best known for playing Clara McConaughey, daughter of Academy-Award winner Matthew McConaughey, on the AppleTV+/Skydance comedy "Brothers;" Katie Townswend on "Sweet Magnolias" seasons 3-5; and Emily Ryan on "United We Fall." She's also a musician who writes and performs original songs, a national anthem singer, fine artist and ballroom dancer.
Ella loves both sides of the camera and made her filmmaking debut at age 9, having written, directed and edited her first short film, "Wild Thing." At age 10, following an award-winning mini festival run with her second film, "The Muralist," Ella became the youngest to ever be awarded Film Florida's Sara Fuller Scholarship, an honor historically reserved for high school students. At age 11, she won a multitude of film festival awards for writing and directing her third short, "The Towel" - many of the honors in categories that included high school, college and adult filmmakers.
At age 6, Ella charmed audiences as the lovable and quirky Emily Ryan, a series regular on the ABC sitcom "United We Fall," alongside comedic greats two-time Emmy winner Jane Curtin (Saturday Night Live, Kate & Allie), Will Sasso (MADtv) and Christina Vidal (Freaky Friday, Taina). Continuing to share her "DNA funny" roots, Ella made her major motion picture debut the same year, as Jessa Phillips (mini Harley Quinn) opposite Adam Sandler in Netflix's "Hubie Halloween." She then showed her range with a dramatic lead role as Maisie in the 2022 short film "Hummingbird."
In 2022, Ella joined the cast of the Netflix hit family drama "Sweet Magnolias," in the role of Katie Townsend. In 2023, she had her first lead in a feature film as Lily in "Chosen Family," which was written and directed by its star, Heather Graham (Boogie Nights, Austin Powers). The romantic comedy also stars John Brotherton (Fuller House, Furious 7, The Conjuring), Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance), Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, Night at the Museum), Andrea Savage (I'm Sorry, Veep) and Academy Award and BAFTA-winning producer Odessa Rae. In 2025, Ella returned to her TV comedy roots as series regular in "Brothers," with McConaughey and Emmy-winner Woody Harrelson.
The little old soul has 19 commercials to her credit, including for Disney, Marriott, Hasbro, Gerber, Orowheat (with John Stamos) and Comcast XFINITY (with Amy Poehler). She first was seen nationwide as the hero girl in Disney's The Power of Magic campaign that launched in 2017 and continued for years. In 2019, she captured hearts across the country in a campaign from American Family Insurance, where she shared her personal story about her own business, Ella Bella Beads, and her charitable efforts. In the commercial, Ella talks with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter - while making bead bracelets together - about her mission to raise money to combat child hunger.
The child entrepreneur founded Ella Bella Beads at the age of 5, and in 2022, morphed her brand into Everything Ella when she launched her online fine art store and entered her first retail consignment partnerships. Ella sells her pastel paintings to fans across the country and manages increasing demand for commissions while making artist appearances and donating her art to various charity fundraisers.
Ella's introverted father works in cyber security and her mother is a career journalist and junior publicist. They had to quickly learn what to do with their natural comedian who had a penchant for performing in front of audiences. Turned away from other activities due to her young age, Ella was welcomed by a youth performing arts studio in her native Brevard County, Florida, where she started in musical theater classes at age 2.5. At the age of 5, she was cast as Lulu in the Broadway tour of Waitress. At age 6, she embraced her love of comedy by portraying Lord Farquaad in a youth theater production of Shrek The Musical, Jr.
Ella fills her non-acting life with a multitude of creative endeavors - singing and composing original songs, designing fashion and sewing, pastel painting, crocheting, competitive ballroom dancing, rock climbing, running races and aerial arts. She is frequently requested to sing the national anthem at fundraising events. Videos of Ella doing American Sign Language (her chosen second language) while singing have gone viral, endearing her to fans across the world for her unique ability to communicate in two different languages at once.
She enjoys connecting with nature through inline skating, mountain biking, hiking, playing video games and building LEGOs. The animal lover fills her cup with visits to the local rescue farm and through programs offered at her local zoo.
Ella is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency, East Coast Talent Agency and manager Kim Matuka of Schuller Talent LA/NY Kids.
