Actress Who Grew Up In Long Valley Celebrates TV Appearance

LONG VALLEY, NJ — She’s a singer, dancer and actress and Ellie Baker has taken some steps forward in the acting direction, with her speaking, non-recurring television role, in an upcoming episode of the CBS drama, “Bull.”

Currently living in Brooklyn, Baker is a 2016 graduate of West Morris Central High School and 2020 graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in Theatre Performance with a minor/concentration in Musical Theatre, where she graduated with a 3.87 GPA, she writes on her website.

Graduating from college only two months into the pandemic in May 2020, Baker told Patch that with theaters shutting down, “It was really difficult navigating not having the one thing that I have been working my whole life to do.”

During the lull, she “found other ways to pass the time,” she said, including participation in an “Acting for the Camera” class over the summer of 2020.

As part of a typical graduation from Marymount, Baker said that Musical Theatre majors in their senior year give a final performance called a “Senior Showcase,” which casting directors and agents watch. That was canceled in-person, but she created a virtual version that was broadcast on YouTube and is below:

As a result, About Artists Agency signed her, a group she called “really amazing and support where I see my career going as well as where they see it going.”

It was while working part-time in a financial advisement office and auditioning, that Baker said she was picked for the small part on Bull.

“The whole gig and process feels surreal still,” she said about the experience, saying the Bull episode is “the first gig I landed.”

Viewers will need to tune in to the show’s Episode 6 where she appears, anticipated to come out in mid-November, the show airing Thursdays at 10 p.m. on CBS, to learn more about Baker’s role and character.

“I play a character that is nothing like myself, so trying to fit into the character’s shoes took a lot of work,” was the only hint Baker provided.

Baker credits her parents on her website with supporting her performing start, taking her to masterclasses when she was in middle school and to community theater auditions.

"Because of their endless support, I was able to play roles such as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show and Fantine in Les Miserables,” Baker wrote on her website about her parents. “I owe my beginnings all to them!”

Though she has her own experiences under her belt, Baker was humble about the advice she told Patch could pass on to other budding performers, borrowing some that Michael Weatherly, who plays Dr. Jason Bull, passed on, something she said, “I will take it with me forever.”

“Auditioning and performing shouldn't feel like a test, where you have to prove yourself,” Baker offered. “It may feel like that in this crazy competitive industry, but everyone already wants you to succeed.”

“They want to be right to have cast you and they want to enjoy their experience working with you,” she said. “Performing is like Christmas morning, where you know you have the perfect gift to give someone you love, and you can't wait to show it to them.”

In the meantime until the episode airs, watch Baker’s “latest mini project,” featured on her website, below:

Follow Baker’s website for updates on her career at www.theelliebaker.com.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.