Ellen is a Miami native, having been raised in New Jersey and making her way full circle back to home base.  A former professional singer and dancer, she had the ability to travel the world as an international backgammon champion, before returning to her beloved hometown, in the 1980’s.

With her committed 24/7 schedule, Ellen finds time to lecture; teach and coach acting courses; devote her time to various local charities, including Cystic Fibrosis and the YWCA; has worked with the local Police to provide alternative lifestyle programs for youth with rap sheets; and often donates her time to give lectures to various schools throughout the state. She was part of the initial local consortium to recognize how important the Caribbean, and the Bahamas, were to the local Florida production business, and subsequently has worked with the Bahamian government on numerous productions, that brought work to Florida residents and companies.

There isn’t a movie-goer around the world whose image of South Beach isn’t the bikini-clad women, roller skaters and pretty people of “The Birdcage”, or the zany-ness of Jim Carrey’s “Ace Ventura” as he makes his way around South Florida, or the unusual charisma of “There’s Something About Mary” as it became an instant cult “classic”. . . or the vision of a space shuttle launch in “Contact” at Cape Canaveral. . .or Harrier jets taking off from the 7-mile bridge in the Keys in “True Lies.” And all of these were Ellen Jacoby-cast feature films…

Having worked with a who’s who of Hollywood directors, including: Steven Soderbergh, Joel Schumacher, Sidney Pollack, The Farrelly Bros., Bob Zemekis, Ron Howard, Mike Nicols, Michael Bay, Randa Haines, Tom Shadyac, Martin Scorsese, Tim Burton, Garry Marshall, John Landis, James Cameron, Joe Roth, Mira Nair and Tony Scott, Ellen Jacoby is one name that Hollywood keeps at the tip of its tongues, and at the top of its address book.

And Ellen Jacoby is the reason the business keeps returning.

Ellen Jacoby was appointed to the First Film Advisory Board, by Governor Jeb Bush, and named “Woman of the Millennium” by Miami Metro Magazine, and a former Mayor of Miami Beach proclaimed October 23rd as Ellen Jacoby Day.  Most recently she was presented with the Key to the City of Miami Beach and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from her Alma Mater, Franklin College.

She is the former Chair of the Infrastructure Committee of the GMCVB and is currently the VP of the FFPC, Florida Film Production Coalition. Ellen has traveled to Tallahassee to work with legislators regarding the Florida film incentives.

As the founder, and President, of Ellen Jacoby Casting International, a casting office with separate film, television, commercial and Hispanic divisions, Ellen has employed over 300,000 Florida actors, dancers, performers through the years…..

There are those who have come and gone in this business, and Ellen Jacoby has not only survived, she has flourished.