Sandra Ellis Lafferty

Sandra Ellis Lafferty

84 · Born: Aug 2, 1940

Personal Details

BornAug 2, 1940 Colorado, USA
Relatives
  • Jerry Ellis (Sibling)

Biography

Sandra Ellis Lafferty is a renowned actress, celebrated for her captivating performances in a wide range of film and television productions over the past three decades. Her impressive repertoire includes notable roles in Walk the Line (2005),Hunger Games (2012),Prisoners (2013),Self/Less (2015),and A Walk in the Woods (2015).

Prior to her successful film career, Sandra honed her craft as a stage actor, earning recognition from the Denver drama critics and Westword magazine for her outstanding performances. Her extensive theater experience laid the foundation for her transition to the screen, which she made at the age of 50.

After landing a small role in the movie Dogfight, filmed in Seattle, Sandra relocated to Los Angeles and secured steady work in recurring guest roles on popular television shows such as NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, Baywatch, and Boy Meets World. Concurrently, she began to establish herself as a talented film actress.

In the early 2000s, Sandra returned to Alabama to care for her mother, which ultimately accelerated her career with pivotal roles in blockbuster films like Walk the Line and The Hunger Games. She went on to star alongside A-list actors and acclaimed directors in A Walk in the Woods, Self/Less, and Prisoners.

While Sandra has enjoyed working on big-budget films, she also finds fulfillment in independent projects, including Buster's Mal Heart, Steel County, and Starbright, as well as her regular role on the television series Containment. This diversity in her work stimulates her passion for acting and allows her to explore different characters and storytelling styles.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Sandra is dedicated to giving back to her community. She serves as the artistic director at the Mentone Arts & Cultural Center, where she mentors high school theater students and fosters a love of the performing arts in the next generation.

Career

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2025
Starbright
Starbright as Elegant Woman
{"id":279582,"title":"The Rivals of Amziah King","year":"2025","character":"Brenda","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-rivals-of-amziah-king","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_279582.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_279582.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":280055,"title":"The Elephant in the Room","year":"2025","character":"Nancy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-elephant-in-the-room-2025","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_280055.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_280055.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":218438,"title":"Trinket Box","year":"2023","character":"Mrs. Davis","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/trinket-box","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_218438.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_218438.jpg"},"released":1}
2023
Trinket Box
Trinket Box as Mrs. Davis
{"id":193127,"title":"Lansky","year":"2021","character":"Mrs. Anne Lansky","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/lansky-2021","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2jp72ajsuos0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2jp72ajsuos0.jpg"},"released":1}
2021
Lansky
Lansky as Mrs. Anne Lansky
{"id":180334,"title":"The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland","year":"2020","character":"Grammy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-farmer-and-the-belle-saving-santaland","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_180334.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_180334.jpg"},"released":1}
2020
{"id":168197,"title":"A Fall from Grace","year":"2020","character":"Mrs. Fieldman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-fall-from-grace-2020","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/pobe51tmcr00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/pobe51tmcr00.jpg"},"released":1}
A Fall from Grace
A Fall from Grace as Mrs. Fieldman
{"id":133619,"title":"A Dark Place","year":"2018","character":"Betty Devlin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-dark-place-2018","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4fjaqc5qk2p0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4fjaqc5qk2p0.jpg"},"released":1}
2018
A Dark Place
A Dark Place as Betty Devlin
{"id":197152,"title":"Abigail Falls","year":"2018","character":"Josephine","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/abigail-falls","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_197152.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_197152.jpg"},"released":1}
Abigail Falls
Abigail Falls as Josephine
{"id":108433,"title":"Buster's Mal Heart","year":"2017","character":"Mrs. Bowery","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/busters-mal-heart-2016","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6ltblgqd7s60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6ltblgqd7s60.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
Buster's Mal Heart
Buster's Mal Heart as Mrs. Bowery
{"id":103831594,"title":"Lore","year":2017,"character":"Aunt Bridget","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/lore","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/51j6c3eg2ke0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/51j6c3eg2ke0.jpg"},"released":1}
Lore
Lore as Aunt Bridget
{"id":33721,"title":"A Walk in the Woods","year":"2015","character":"Widow Deborah","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-walk-in-the-woods","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3nlcet186fgg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3nlcet186fgg.jpg"},"released":1}
2015
A Walk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woods as Widow Deborah
{"id":19082,"title":"The World Made Straight","year":"2015","character":"Mrs. Ponder","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-world-made-straight","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/17if3jl0oido.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/17if3jl0oido.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":25613,"title":"Self\/less","year":"2015","character":"Phyllis Jensen","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/selfless","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1et8lb8873po.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1et8lb8873po.jpg"},"released":1}
Self/less
Self/less as Phyllis Jensen
{"id":634,"title":"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire","year":"2013","character":"Greasy Sae","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-hunger-games-catching-fire","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6otjr4cnc730.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6otjr4cnc730.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":202,"title":"Prisoners","year":"2013","character":"Mrs. Milland","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/prisoners","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3q79kngov57g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3q79kngov57g.jpg"},"released":1}
Prisoners
Prisoners as Mrs. Milland
{"id":3721,"title":"After","year":"2012","character":"Aunt Lu","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/after","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3tip8tos9flg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3tip8tos9flg.jpg"},"released":1}
2012
After
After as Aunt Lu
{"id":65,"title":"The Hunger Games","year":"2012","character":"Hob Vendor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-hunger-games","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/fk0jar567660.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/fk0jar567660.jpg"},"released":1}
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games as Hob Vendor
{"id":41269,"title":"Hell and Mr. Fudge","year":"2012","character":"Slapping lady","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hell-and-mr-fudge","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_41269.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_41269.jpg"},"released":1}
Hell and Mr. Fudge
Hell and Mr. Fudge as Slapping lady
{"id":189854,"title":"Awakened","year":"2011","character":"Evelyn James Murray","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/awakened-2011","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_189854.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_189854.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
Awakened
Awakened as Evelyn James Murray
{"id":90790,"title":"Game of Your Life","year":"2011","character":"Mrs. Conolovich","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/game-of-your-life","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_90790.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_90790.jpg"},"released":1}
Game of Your Life
Game of Your Life as Mrs. Conolovich
{"id":15940,"title":"Quarantine 2: Terminal","year":"2011","character":"Louise Tredwell","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/quarantine-2-terminal","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/97eoushpn420.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/97eoushpn420.jpg"},"released":1}
Quarantine 2: Terminal
Quarantine 2: Terminal as Louise Tredwell
{"id":1283,"title":"Footloose","year":"2011","character":"Mrs. Allyson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/footloose","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3glu0i3h8lig.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3glu0i3h8lig.jpg"},"released":1}
Footloose
Footloose as Mrs. Allyson
{"id":17250,"title":"The New Daughter","year":"2009","character":"Ms. Arnworth","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-new-daughter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_17250.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_17250.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
The New Daughter
The New Daughter as Ms. Arnworth
{"id":47444,"title":"Front of the Class","year":"2008","character":"Recruiter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/front-of-the-class","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/19sptjuepek8.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/19sptjuepek8.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
{"id":2637,"title":"Walk the Line","year":"2005","character":"Maybelle Carter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/walk-the-line","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6igqnuqlrua0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6igqnuqlrua0.jpg"},"released":1}
2005
Walk the Line
Walk the Line as Maybelle Carter
{"id":154259,"title":"Soulkeeper","year":"2001","character":"Terrence's Mom","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/soulkeeper","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_154259.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_154259.jpg"},"released":1}
2001
Soulkeeper
Soulkeeper as Terrence's Mom
{"id":11763,"title":"The Prophecy 3: The Ascent","year":"2000","character":"Madge","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-prophecy-3-the-ascent","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_11763.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_11763.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
{"id":157357,"title":"St. Patrick's Day","year":"1996","character":"Bridget","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/st-patricks-day-1997","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_157357.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_157357.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
{"id":9651,"title":"The Wayans Bros.","year":1996,"character":"Mrs. Gibbs","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-wayans-bros","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_9651.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_9651.jpg"},"released":1}
The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros. as Mrs. Gibbs
{"id":9920,"title":"Steel Frontier","year":"1995","character":"Ada","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/steel-frontier","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_9920.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_9920.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
{"id":4716,"title":"The Prophecy","year":"1995","character":"Madge","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-prophecy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1npts2isggr0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1npts2isggr0.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":1893,"title":"New Nightmare","year":"1994","character":"Senior Nurse with Needle","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/new-nightmare","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/80t119haets0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/80t119haets0.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
New Nightmare
New Nightmare as Senior Nurse with Needle
{"id":14875,"title":"Bodies, Rest & Motion","year":"1993","character":"Yard Sale Lady","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bodies-rest-motion","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14875.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14875.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
Bodies, Rest & Motion
Bodies, Rest & Motion as Yard Sale Lady
{"id":58687,"title":"Suture","year":"1993","character":"Nurse Stevens (as Sandra Lafferty)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/suture","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58687.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58687.jpg"},"released":1}
Suture
Suture as Nurse Stevens (as Sandra Lafferty)
{"id":4814,"title":"Posse","year":"1993","character":"Big Kate","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/posse","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_4814.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_4814.jpg"},"released":1}
Posse
Posse as Big Kate
{"id":2337,"title":"Dogfight","year":"1991","character":"Crying Woman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dogfight","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_2337.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_2337.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
Dogfight
Dogfight as Crying Woman