Ella Thomas

About

Ella A. Thomas (born August 15, 1981) is an Eritrean-American actress, model, and film producer. She is known for her recurring roles on the television series Ballers and Ice as well as her appearances in studio and independent feature films.

Thomas was born in Asmara, Eritrea, to an Eritrean mother and an American Air Force officer. During her childhood, her family relocated to Germany, where they settled in the town of Kindsbach and she attended a local German school. Thomas became fluent in both English and German, and also studied French and Tigrinya.

Thomas began her career as a commercial and editorial model. She has been featured in editorial spreads for Vogue, Glamour, and ELLE. Her print advertising work includes campaigns for Gap, Tiffany & Co., and Levi’s. She is represented by Wilhelmina Models.

Thomas made her early feature film appearances in the Touchstone/Disney sci-fi thriller Surrogates (2009) opposite Bruce Willis. In 2016, she portrayed author and playwright Lorraine Hansberry in the biographical drama Nina alongside Zoe Saldaña.
In 2023, she starred as Sarah Magee opposite Garrett Hedlund in…