What Ever Happened to Actress Stacey Nelkin, 'Ellie' From Halloween 3? - Ned Hardy (2024)

In the pantheon of horror films, few franchises are as iconic as “Halloween.” Among its memorable cast of characters, Stacey Nelkin, who starred in “Halloween 3: Season of the Witch,” left an indelible mark on audiences with her performance. However, since her appearance in the 1982 film, Nelkin seems to have faded from the public eye, leaving many fans wondering: What ever happened to Stacey Nelkin from “Halloween 3”? In this article, we’ll delve into Nelkin’s life post-“Halloween 3,” tracing her career trajectory, personal life, and current endeavors to answer this burning question.

Background Information and Early Roles

Born and raised in New York City, Stacey Nelkin embarked on her professional acting journey at the tender age of 14, seeking solace from her tumultuous home environment through the world of performance. After two years of auditioning, she landed two national commercials on her 16th birthday, which kickstarted her career.

At 16, she was flown to Los Angeles to participate in a film project, marking the beginning of a 16-year stay in the city.

Nelkin’s acting career began in the late 1970s, with her first significant role as Bonnie Sue Chisholm in the CBS western miniseries “The Chisholms” (1979). This was followed by a series of roles in both film and television, including her portrayal of Marsha in “California Dreaming” (1979), and Gina in the TV movie “The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal” (1979).

In 1981, she took on the role of Cynthia in “Going Ape!” and appeared in “The Magical World of Disney” as Cora Spencer. These roles paved the way for her notable performance in “Halloween III: Season of the Witch.”

Halloween III: Season of the Witch

Nelkin’s career took a turn towards the horror genre when she appeared in “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” (1982) as Ellie Grimbridge.

The 1982 horror film and the third installment in the Halloween series. Unlike the first two films, which revolve around the character Michael Myers, this film takes a different direction and focuses on a plot involving witchcraft.

The story revolves around an evil toy manufacturer, Conal Cochran, who plans to use masks embedded with pieces from Stonehenge to kill millions of children on Halloween night. The masks, when exposed to a special television broadcast, trigger a deadly effect.

Stacey Nelkin plays the character Ellie Grimbridge in the movie. Ellie is the daughter of a man who falls victim to the deadly effects of the masks. After her father’s mysterious death, she teams up with Dr. Dan Challis, played by Tom Atkins, to investigate the sinister plot by the toy manufacturer. Their investigation leads them to the small town of Santa Mira, where they uncover Cochran’s deadly plan. Ellie’s character is central to the plot, and she plays a significant role in the suspense and horror of the film.

Around the same time, she was scheduled to appear in the iconic film “Blade Runner.” She had been cast as Mary, a sixth Nexus-6 replicant, but due to budget constraints, her part was cut from the film early in the period of principal photography. Despite this setback, Nelkin’s screen test for the role of Pris, which ultimately went to Daryl Hannah, appears on Disc 4 of the collector’s edition DVD set.

What Did She Do After Halloween 3?

After her notable role in “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” Stacey Nelkin continued to make her mark in the entertainment industry. She appeared in a variety of roles across both film and television. In 1984, she played the character of Marie Van Buren in the TV movie “The Jerk, Too” and took on the role of Linda Sanborn in the TV series “Simon & Simon.” She also appeared in the music video “Bette Midler: Beast of Burden” as a dancing girl.

In the 90s, Nelkin continued to take on diverse roles. She played the character of Christy Russell #2 in the TV series “Generations” (1990) and appeared as Barbara in the TV series “Hunter” (1991). In 1994, she played Rita in “Bullets Over Broadway” and Steph in the TV movie “Ride with the Wind.” She also appeared as Katie Kessler in “Everything Relative” in 1996.

What is Stacey Nelkin Doing Now?

As the end of 90’s as job offers within the entertainment industry began to slow down, Nelkin pivoted her career. In 2008, she began a career as a substance abuse professional and certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor, a role she finds very meaningful due to her personal experiences with addiction in her family. She clarifies that she is not a drama therapist, as that would require graduate school and college, but she is a trained substance abuse counselor and has been doing that full-time for seven years. She describes it as a “big ordeal” and notes that it’s becoming a bigger and bigger issue as time goes on.

In addition to her work in therapy, Nelkin has also established herself as a “relationship expert.” She has her own YouTube channel and a website where she shares her insights and advice. She even wrote a book called “You Can’t Afford to Break Up: How an Empty Wallet and a Dirty Mind Can Save Your Relationship.”

Personal Life

Nelkin’s personal life has also been a topic of interest. According to her, Woody Allen’s film “Manhattan” (1979) was based on her romantic relationship with the director, which began when she was 17 years old and a student at New York’s Stuyvesant High School. Allen has said that they dated for a time, but Nelkin was not underage. Nelkin is currently married to Marco Greenberg and was previously married to actor Barry Bostwick from 1987 to 1991.