Even though Elley Ringo fell in love with acting at a young age, it was hardly her only interest and not the only one she’s pursued. In fact, her versatility is quite impressive. Growing up on an animal rescue sanctuary was reason for her to consider becoming a veterinarian. Her childhood offered her the the opportunity to be exposed to exotic animals that most kids never see in real life. It was a childhood she enjoyed, however it was not without its downside. She tells me; “people only wanted to be my friend so that they could go see the animals and so that they can get close to exotic animals that they’ve never seen before.” However, she soon decided against becoming a vet, as that job would entail experiencing the sadness and grief along with the pet owners when it came time for them to say goodbye to their beloved animals. So, Elley turned her focus to acting.
When Elley realized she had a talent for acting before, and captivating, a live audience, she knew that the stage was her calling. Elley has since appeared in a wide range of productions besides stage (where she first started). She has built an impressive list of film credits since 2006 that includes both shorts and feature length films. She’s also even been a real life game show contestant (not an audience plant). One of her notable roles was in the 2021-2022 reality TV Series Frozen Gold, which aired on the Weather Channel. Elley appeared in all 12 episodes. The premise was about six amateur and semi-professional American miners who leave behind their everyday normal lives to set out on a 12-week mining expedition in Greenland. Since another of Elley’s loves is geology and she holds a BS degree in Economic Geology, that was a big plus for her in being chosen for the show and it also explains her username; “Elleyknowsrocks.”
Among Elley’s long list of film credits are Whit Whitman’s upcoming comedy-horror Smokee, in which she has been cast as one of the main characters. Other notable roles she’s played have been Lady Killigrew in Adam Werth’s 2024 dark fantasy Devil’s Knight, as Jenna Fishel in Werth’s 2026 sci-fi horror Alien Storm, and as Cora in Beau Yotty’s 2024 horror Snake Resort. This just scratches the surface of Elley’s career. To find out more, read on and enjoy her recent and exclusive interview. Above photo of Elley at Lake Havasu, Arizona by Dave Kelly.
CHRIS CHARLES: It’s a pleasure to have you here, Elley. While doing research on you, I found out that Shelley Duvall briefly dated Ringo Starr in 1978. Do people often kid you about your last name or ask if it’s your real name?
ELLEY RINGO: (Laughs) Sometimes people do ask me if I’m related to Ringo Starr. They look at me almost disappointed when I tell them no… then they ask if it’s a stage name, but when I tell them it’s really my name and that I’m related to Johnny Ringo the train robber they think that’s pretty badass.
CHRIS: I’d say so. Hmm, kind of a dumb question for people to ask if you’re related to Ringo Starr as “Ringo” is his first name, not his family name and a nickname, at that. Anyway, I was reading your bio and it’s fascinating. What was it like growing up as a child on an animal rescue center and always being around exotic animals?
ELLEY: It was awesome, exciting, challenging, sad, and disappointing all at the same time. Awesome because I absolutely love animals. Before I got into acting and geology, I thought that I might want to be a vet… but that changed quickly…. Having to standby and hold your “pet” tiger in your arms as they pass away was devastating and I realized there was no way that I could be a vet and have to do that job for other people’s pets. It was exciting because I never knew what we were going to rescue next or what cool animal we were going to get at the sanctuary. Of course my favorites are the tigers and the smaller cats. But occasionally you’d get something really off the wall like a kangaroo and cool snake or a camel, that was really fun. It was challenging because it was a lot of long nights. If we had baby animals that were rejected by a mom we had to be a surrogate mother to them so that meant putting in long hours, staying up all night, around the clock feedings for those animals but it was extremely rewarding when they survived, they were healthy and we got to watch them grow up. And the disappointing part was when I was a kid into my teenage and young adult years people only wanted to be my friend so that they could go see the animals and so that they can get close to exotic animals that they’ve never seen before. I had to stop telling people what it was that I did and how I helped my family. I had to keep it a secret because people just wanted to use me to get close to the animals and once they’ve had their “full” or they’ve seen them I wouldn’t hear from those people again. It made me feel like I was very used and unwanted as a person.
No matter what, I’m extremely grateful for the experience, for the love that I’ve shared for those critters for all of the memories that I will continue to have. Some of those animals were my best friends.
CHRIS: I see. It’s like the kid whose parents own a candy store. So, what animals did you have to be the most cautious around?
ELLEY: Bears, definitely bears. I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared of an animal in my entire life. Even as a cub, bears are vicious and mean and they were never my cup of tea.
CHRIS: Do you have any exotic animals as pets these days?
ELLEY: I still go visit my family sanctuary, but the most exotic animal that I’ve had at home was my Savannah cat, she was an F5 (fifth-generation hybrid cat that’s a cross between an African serval and a domestic cat), the smartest cat ever and glued to my side. I had her for 11 years. She was the most wonderful thing to ever happen to my life. I miss her every day. Now the most exotic pets that I have are a Maine coon cat, and two “pound kitties.” They are my little buddies, I love them all.
ELLEY RINGO: (Laughs) Sometimes people do ask me if I’m related to Ringo Starr. They look at me almost disappointed when I tell them no… then they ask if it’s a stage name, but when I tell them it’s really my name and that I’m related to Johnny Ringo the train robber they think that’s pretty badass.
CHRIS: I’d say so. Hmm, kind of a dumb question for people to ask if you’re related to Ringo Starr as “Ringo” is his first name, not his family name and a nickname, at that. Anyway, I was reading your bio and it’s fascinating. What was it like growing up as a child on an animal rescue center and always being around exotic animals?
ELLEY: It was awesome, exciting, challenging, sad, and disappointing all at the same time. Awesome because I absolutely love animals. Before I got into acting and geology, I thought that I might want to be a vet… but that changed quickly…. Having to standby and hold your “pet” tiger in your arms as they pass away was devastating and I realized there was no way that I could be a vet and have to do that job for other people’s pets. It was exciting because I never knew what we were going to rescue next or what cool animal we were going to get at the sanctuary. Of course my favorites are the tigers and the smaller cats. But occasionally you’d get something really off the wall like a kangaroo and cool snake or a camel, that was really fun. It was challenging because it was a lot of long nights. If we had baby animals that were rejected by a mom we had to be a surrogate mother to them so that meant putting in long hours, staying up all night, around the clock feedings for those animals but it was extremely rewarding when they survived, they were healthy and we got to watch them grow up. And the disappointing part was when I was a kid into my teenage and young adult years people only wanted to be my friend so that they could go see the animals and so that they can get close to exotic animals that they’ve never seen before. I had to stop telling people what it was that I did and how I helped my family. I had to keep it a secret because people just wanted to use me to get close to the animals and once they’ve had their “full” or they’ve seen them I wouldn’t hear from those people again. It made me feel like I was very used and unwanted as a person.
No matter what, I’m extremely grateful for the experience, for the love that I’ve shared for those critters for all of the memories that I will continue to have. Some of those animals were my best friends.
CHRIS: I see. It’s like the kid whose parents own a candy store. So, what animals did you have to be the most cautious around?
ELLEY: Bears, definitely bears. I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared of an animal in my entire life. Even as a cub, bears are vicious and mean and they were never my cup of tea.
CHRIS: Do you have any exotic animals as pets these days?
ELLEY: I still go visit my family sanctuary, but the most exotic animal that I’ve had at home was my Savannah cat, she was an F5 (fifth-generation hybrid cat that’s a cross between an African serval and a domestic cat), the smartest cat ever and glued to my side. I had her for 11 years. She was the most wonderful thing to ever happen to my life. I miss her every day. Now the most exotic pets that I have are a Maine coon cat, and two “pound kitties.” They are my little buddies, I love them all.
CHRIS: I understand you have a BS in Economic Geology. How did you become interested enough in geology to pursue a degree in it?
ELLEY: I never knew when I was a kid that I wanted to be a Geologist. I would go collect agate on the beach with my dad and bring them home although I had no idea what they were made of I was always fascinated by them. I still have my collection. In my mid 20s I took myself on a little rockhound vacation to look for precious fire opals in the Virgin Valley in Nevada and I found some beautiful things on the day that I went out it was pouring down rain I was covered in mud I was having an absolute blast and I thought to myself that I could look for rocks for a living… I could totally do this… so I went home and I googled “how to look for rocks for a living,” and it brought up Geologist…. I contacted a college advisor John McCormick, an amazing professor, and went to the university of Nevada, Reno. 🙂 The rest is history.
CHRIS: Have you done a lot of fieldwork?
ELLEY: I’ve done years of fieldwork. I’ve done it all over the country. I even discovered a new rock type and ore body mineral assemblies for the mine I was working for, I’ve written about it and it was published in the GPAA magazine.
CHRIS: How was your experience when you appeared on the TV series Frozen Gold?
ELLEY: That is a loaded question, but I would have to say it was an experience of a lifetime, how many people can say that they went and lived in Greenland for three months and experience the culture, the cold the ice being an Arctic hurricane and finding gold on untouched ground, inner-tubing on a fjord in a semi dry wetsuit around an iceberg…. all while filming 12 episodes for the TV series (laughs). I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Some of the cast members I could’ve done without, wow (laughs), but that’s another story.
CHRIS: You started acting in theater. Do you prefer acting on stage or in films?
ELLEY: I never knew when I was a kid that I wanted to be a Geologist. I would go collect agate on the beach with my dad and bring them home although I had no idea what they were made of I was always fascinated by them. I still have my collection. In my mid 20s I took myself on a little rockhound vacation to look for precious fire opals in the Virgin Valley in Nevada and I found some beautiful things on the day that I went out it was pouring down rain I was covered in mud I was having an absolute blast and I thought to myself that I could look for rocks for a living… I could totally do this… so I went home and I googled “how to look for rocks for a living,” and it brought up Geologist…. I contacted a college advisor John McCormick, an amazing professor, and went to the university of Nevada, Reno. 🙂 The rest is history.
CHRIS: Have you done a lot of fieldwork?
ELLEY: I’ve done years of fieldwork. I’ve done it all over the country. I even discovered a new rock type and ore body mineral assemblies for the mine I was working for, I’ve written about it and it was published in the GPAA magazine.
CHRIS: How was your experience when you appeared on the TV series Frozen Gold?
ELLEY: That is a loaded question, but I would have to say it was an experience of a lifetime, how many people can say that they went and lived in Greenland for three months and experience the culture, the cold the ice being an Arctic hurricane and finding gold on untouched ground, inner-tubing on a fjord in a semi dry wetsuit around an iceberg…. all while filming 12 episodes for the TV series (laughs). I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Some of the cast members I could’ve done without, wow (laughs), but that’s another story.
CHRIS: You started acting in theater. Do you prefer acting on stage or in films?
ELLEY: I would have to say I prefer films. Although there is nothing that can beat an opening night in the theater… the excitement, the energy and the joy that you feel when you get on stage in front of a live audience. But Filming is very different, I appreciate the process and the planning that goes into getting a great shot, and the art of filming it. I would say that because of my theater background being able to memorize large portions of a script and doing it quickly came very easy to me. I didn’t struggle with that like some actors I’ve been in film with, and I think it just gives you a whole different respect for both disciplines.
CHRIS: You appeared in a productions of Cats?
ELLEY: Yes, I was part of a large theater group in California and we decided to do cats. My favorite song was “McCavity.” I got to make my own costume and honestly I’m kind of a saver, so I probably still have it stuffed in a box under my bed or in a closet. I always love being able to act, sing, and dance in a production. And Cats was definitely one of those plays where you have to stretch your vocal ability as well as your dancing skills all at the same time. I remember while I was on stage and it was probably the second to last time we did the show. I had this really awesome move where I jumped off the stairs. spun around did the splits and some are work… all while singing. but one night my voice was not doing great I was coming down with something. I went out there I was dancing I spun around I did the splits and as I hit the ground during my vocal performance right at the same time this huge burp came out and I think that everybody thought that it was part of the rendition that we were doing, I was horrifically embarrassed, but improv and played it off and it was hilarious. The audience was cracking up and it was one of those moments that I’ll definitely never forget.
CHRIS: Have you even been in a production of The Rocky Horror Show?
ELLEY: I have not. I have not really watched the show 🙁
CHRIS: Hmm, I’ll try not to hold that against you. So, you won Best Actress at the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival for your role in the short you starred in, Blood Will Have Blood. What was making that one like for you?
ELLEY: This was a great film. I feel extremely blessed. I put a lot of hard work into the character. I think so far, I’ve won nine best acting awards from different film festivals for the short film. Working with John the director was awesome. He was collaborative and patient. Bringing this character to life was such a great opportunity, having to play 2 very different characters almost simultaneously in my head is quite the challenge. The crew was fantastic to be around. The Makeup Artist Candace D. Omme did a wonderful job working with me to create two very different looks for the two characters I was playing. I hope to work with John Kestner again.
CHRIS: Maybe you know that I have already interviewed several of the other actresses who appear in Smokee. Please tell me about the character you play in that one.
CHRIS: You appeared in a productions of Cats?
ELLEY: Yes, I was part of a large theater group in California and we decided to do cats. My favorite song was “McCavity.” I got to make my own costume and honestly I’m kind of a saver, so I probably still have it stuffed in a box under my bed or in a closet. I always love being able to act, sing, and dance in a production. And Cats was definitely one of those plays where you have to stretch your vocal ability as well as your dancing skills all at the same time. I remember while I was on stage and it was probably the second to last time we did the show. I had this really awesome move where I jumped off the stairs. spun around did the splits and some are work… all while singing. but one night my voice was not doing great I was coming down with something. I went out there I was dancing I spun around I did the splits and as I hit the ground during my vocal performance right at the same time this huge burp came out and I think that everybody thought that it was part of the rendition that we were doing, I was horrifically embarrassed, but improv and played it off and it was hilarious. The audience was cracking up and it was one of those moments that I’ll definitely never forget.
CHRIS: Have you even been in a production of The Rocky Horror Show?
ELLEY: I have not. I have not really watched the show 🙁
CHRIS: Hmm, I’ll try not to hold that against you. So, you won Best Actress at the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival for your role in the short you starred in, Blood Will Have Blood. What was making that one like for you?
ELLEY: This was a great film. I feel extremely blessed. I put a lot of hard work into the character. I think so far, I’ve won nine best acting awards from different film festivals for the short film. Working with John the director was awesome. He was collaborative and patient. Bringing this character to life was such a great opportunity, having to play 2 very different characters almost simultaneously in my head is quite the challenge. The crew was fantastic to be around. The Makeup Artist Candace D. Omme did a wonderful job working with me to create two very different looks for the two characters I was playing. I hope to work with John Kestner again.
CHRIS: Maybe you know that I have already interviewed several of the other actresses who appear in Smokee. Please tell me about the character you play in that one.
ELLEY: I play a very disgruntled wife, a very pessimistic sort of character who is not happy with her marriage… not happy to go to this “retreat her husband booked… and my death scene is the most bazar hahah I won’t give it away but I don’t think anyone has died like this in any film!
CHRIS: It looks like it must have been a lot of fun working on Smokee. Will you be doing any more films projects with any of the cast or crew from that film in thee near future?
ELLEY: There were definitely some extremely entertaining moments. I made some new friends on set Jess, Billy, and Robert, I would work with them again, we had a lot of fun hanging out. I would say that the set was very chaotic. There were a lot of new actors on set that wanted to learn about acting in the process, that’s why some were there. Lynn (the wonderful lady by the way ) lead one of the classes, and then Jess and I stepped up to lead three other classes. That wasn’t originally on my agenda but I was more than happy to help out and lend a hand in teaching new actors, proper terms, techniques, processes, etiquette, stuns ext. I’m grateful that one of my good friends Anne-Marie was on the film, I’ve worked with her on several projects that’s how we met was previously on the set of Camp Pleasant Lake and then we worked together again in ‘Alien Storm’ and I have since worked with her on her beautiful film that she wrote, directed, and produced. Marked by Lightning with John Wells. where I played the role of Medusa in this fictional feature.
CHRIS: Would you say horror is your favorite genre?
ELLEY: No, I’m not a real fan of horror films, they kind of freak me out (laughs). I feel people like to make horror films because they’re cheaper, quicker, easier, people get cheap thrills, and they always need actors for them. But I’m not a big blood and guts sort of person. I enjoy fantasy, dramatic, suspenseful or comedy roles over horror.
CHRIS: I see. I did interview a popular actress a few years ago who’s best know for horror and still it. She told me she wasn’t a huge horror fan to begin with, but horror films are the easiest to get distribution and there’s always plenty of work for actress who don’t mind screaming and stage blood. So, moving on, I see you also have done several behind the scenes roles on films, as well.
ELLEY: I have helped direct AD I’ve helped produce I’ve done special effects, I have done costumes, makeup I’ve helped new actors get comfortable on set I have stepped into teaching roles for onset training. I’ve helped with lighting and sound, set design. and I think it’s important in smaller budget films for everybody to pitch in. I have filmed some of my own short films. One of them that I’m still working on:) I also have two full feature scripts written and four other story boards and ideas for different scripts that are in the process of being written.
CHRIS: Is there anyone in indie films, on either side of the camera, you have not worked with yet, but would really like to work with?
ELLEY: Director’s Akinola Davies Jr and Beth de Araújo would be awesome to work with.
CHRIS: It looks like it must have been a lot of fun working on Smokee. Will you be doing any more films projects with any of the cast or crew from that film in thee near future?
ELLEY: There were definitely some extremely entertaining moments. I made some new friends on set Jess, Billy, and Robert, I would work with them again, we had a lot of fun hanging out. I would say that the set was very chaotic. There were a lot of new actors on set that wanted to learn about acting in the process, that’s why some were there. Lynn (the wonderful lady by the way ) lead one of the classes, and then Jess and I stepped up to lead three other classes. That wasn’t originally on my agenda but I was more than happy to help out and lend a hand in teaching new actors, proper terms, techniques, processes, etiquette, stuns ext. I’m grateful that one of my good friends Anne-Marie was on the film, I’ve worked with her on several projects that’s how we met was previously on the set of Camp Pleasant Lake and then we worked together again in ‘Alien Storm’ and I have since worked with her on her beautiful film that she wrote, directed, and produced. Marked by Lightning with John Wells. where I played the role of Medusa in this fictional feature.
CHRIS: Would you say horror is your favorite genre?
ELLEY: No, I’m not a real fan of horror films, they kind of freak me out (laughs). I feel people like to make horror films because they’re cheaper, quicker, easier, people get cheap thrills, and they always need actors for them. But I’m not a big blood and guts sort of person. I enjoy fantasy, dramatic, suspenseful or comedy roles over horror.
CHRIS: I see. I did interview a popular actress a few years ago who’s best know for horror and still it. She told me she wasn’t a huge horror fan to begin with, but horror films are the easiest to get distribution and there’s always plenty of work for actress who don’t mind screaming and stage blood. So, moving on, I see you also have done several behind the scenes roles on films, as well.
ELLEY: I have helped direct AD I’ve helped produce I’ve done special effects, I have done costumes, makeup I’ve helped new actors get comfortable on set I have stepped into teaching roles for onset training. I’ve helped with lighting and sound, set design. and I think it’s important in smaller budget films for everybody to pitch in. I have filmed some of my own short films. One of them that I’m still working on:) I also have two full feature scripts written and four other story boards and ideas for different scripts that are in the process of being written.
CHRIS: Is there anyone in indie films, on either side of the camera, you have not worked with yet, but would really like to work with?
ELLEY: Director’s Akinola Davies Jr and Beth de Araújo would be awesome to work with.
CHRIS: So, on to your modeling. Where would you say has been your most memorable photo shoot location?
ELLEY: I would say shooting at abandoned mines, and the Glamis Sand dunes are extremely memorable.
CHRIS: Who have been some of your favorite photographers to work with?
ELLEY: Dave Kelley is my favorite Photographer. He’s an amazing person. He’s become an extremely dear friend of mine over the past eight and a half years. I also loved working with Colby Files when he was shooting. He was a joy.
CHRIS: I won’t ask for names, but are there some photographers you’ve worked with and never will again?
ELLEY: Absolutely and if it wouldn’t get me blacklisted, I would definitely name names. But I would say there’s definitely at least five or six that I will never work with again, for so many reasons from, from lying to verbal abuse to sexual harassment or just downright twisted and F’ed up kinds of people.
CHRIS: Well, ’nuff said about that. So, do you have any skills or hobbies not included in your bio that only those close to you know about?
ELLEY: I can sprint really fast at short distances and I make my own beaded earrings.
CHRIS: Halloween is drawing near and it will fall on a Saturday this year. What are your plans?
ELLEY: I always dress up for Halloween. I am great at painting sugar skulls that are extremely detailed on my face lol and I’d love designing a new costume. Cosplay is definitely in my wheelhouse.
CHRIS: With that, I will thank you again for doing this with me, Elley. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
ELLEY: I would love to say thank you to those that believe in me; Asisa D., Danni M., Dave Kelley, BJ Mezek, Shannon Brown, John Kestner, Anne- Marie Olsen, Dante R. at Golden Artist Entertainment, Candice O., Steve P., my dad, my husband, and all my fans!
CHRIS: Oh, just one last question. Had you chosen the envelope and won the baby grand piano instead of the 25 grand, would you have kept it or sold it?
ELLEY: (Laughs) That’s funny. I would have sold it. That thing is huge. Maybe I would’ve thought to keep it if I had a bigger house (laughs). You know, I took piano lessons when I was eight years old. I did that for a couple years. Then one day I sat down at the piano to practice for a recital and I couldn’t read my music. I don’t know what happened …. the notes didn’t make any sense anymore. Even though I can’t read the music anymore, I can poke around on the piano and pluck out a tune by ear. 💕
ELLEY: I would say shooting at abandoned mines, and the Glamis Sand dunes are extremely memorable.
CHRIS: Who have been some of your favorite photographers to work with?
ELLEY: Dave Kelley is my favorite Photographer. He’s an amazing person. He’s become an extremely dear friend of mine over the past eight and a half years. I also loved working with Colby Files when he was shooting. He was a joy.
CHRIS: I won’t ask for names, but are there some photographers you’ve worked with and never will again?
ELLEY: Absolutely and if it wouldn’t get me blacklisted, I would definitely name names. But I would say there’s definitely at least five or six that I will never work with again, for so many reasons from, from lying to verbal abuse to sexual harassment or just downright twisted and F’ed up kinds of people.
CHRIS: Well, ’nuff said about that. So, do you have any skills or hobbies not included in your bio that only those close to you know about?
ELLEY: I can sprint really fast at short distances and I make my own beaded earrings.
CHRIS: Halloween is drawing near and it will fall on a Saturday this year. What are your plans?
ELLEY: I always dress up for Halloween. I am great at painting sugar skulls that are extremely detailed on my face lol and I’d love designing a new costume. Cosplay is definitely in my wheelhouse.
CHRIS: With that, I will thank you again for doing this with me, Elley. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
ELLEY: I would love to say thank you to those that believe in me; Asisa D., Danni M., Dave Kelley, BJ Mezek, Shannon Brown, John Kestner, Anne- Marie Olsen, Dante R. at Golden Artist Entertainment, Candice O., Steve P., my dad, my husband, and all my fans!
CHRIS: Oh, just one last question. Had you chosen the envelope and won the baby grand piano instead of the 25 grand, would you have kept it or sold it?
ELLEY: (Laughs) That’s funny. I would have sold it. That thing is huge. Maybe I would’ve thought to keep it if I had a bigger house (laughs). You know, I took piano lessons when I was eight years old. I did that for a couple years. Then one day I sat down at the piano to practice for a recital and I couldn’t read my music. I don’t know what happened …. the notes didn’t make any sense anymore. Even though I can’t read the music anymore, I can poke around on the piano and pluck out a tune by ear. 💕
More images and Elley’s demo reel on Page 2 >
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