The Duke City Shootout welcomes one of Hollywood's most versatile and talented actress, Elaine Hendrix, to this year's event. Hendrix, who's appeared in everything from Disney's The Parent Trap to the cult phenomenon What the Bleep Do We Know?! to the acclaimed CBS TV series Joan of Arcadia, will star in Will Hartman's Shootout short Food For Thought.

Ms. Hendrix has been called an “actor’s actor”, a “triple-threat”, a “guy’s girl”, and renowned Variety columnist Army Archerd likened her to Carol Lombard. Anyone who has the joy of seeing her work most certainly joins The Houston Chronicle in proclaiming, “Elaine Hendrix is excellent!...Get that girl a sit-com!”

As an actress she is currently recurring on the new ABC Family series THE MIDDLEMAN created by “Medium” veteran Javier Grillo-Marxuach. She just wrapped two features: the Film Noir spoof Rock Slyde opposite Patrick Warburton and Andy Dick, and the supernatural thriller THE BEACON opposite Teri Polo. Due out later this year, Elaine stars along side Luke Perry and LeAnn Rimes in the Southern caper comedy GOOD INTENTIONS (which she also co-produced), and on TV co-stars along side Lea Thompson in the final installment of Hallmark’s original series JANE DOE series, EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. She will also soon appear in ABC Famiy’s TWO SISTERS for which director Margaret Cho wrote a role especially for Elaine.

As a producer Elaine is prepping her fourth feature, the comedy MY HUSBAND IS MY SISTER-IN-LAW. This marks the third film Elaine has collaborated on with filmmakers Stewart Wade and Antonio Brown. The first was COFFEE DATE, in which Elaine starred and served as Associate Producer, and TRU LOVED, for which she served as co-producer – both films won several awards, and was sold for both theatrical and TV distribution. Elaine is also working with fellow funny woman Lisa Ann Walter to produce their first penned feature “The Untitled Chick Buddy Flick.”

Rounding out Elaine’s creative line-up are her original movie songs. Elaine is writing and performing her fifth title track for the feature MY HUSBAND IS MY SISTER-IN-LAW. Her previous soundtrack selections include “Go On” for TRU LOVED, “WISH It Now” for PASS IT ON, “I’m Beautiful” for BAM BAM AND CELESTE (Margaret Cho directed the music video), and “What the Bleep?” for the sequel to the quantum sensation WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?!

In addition to her Hollywood activities, Elaine’s first contribution as a published author can be found in La Chance Publishing’s book VOICES OF BREAST CANCER, which benefits The Healing Project. Also in support of breast cancer, she will be making her fifth appearance in WHAT A PAIR, an annual night of Broadway duets benefiting The John Wayne Cancer Institute. Elaine is also a member of WOMEN IN FILM and STEP UP WOMEN’S NETWORK for whom she participates as a mentor in their professional mentoring program.

Elaine’s greatest passion is the humane treatment of animals. She is the spokesperson for the international organization IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS, works with local rescue groups throughout CA, TN and GA, and is an honorary committee member of the 2008 GENESIS AWARDS presented by The Humane Society of the United States. Other humanitarian appearances include a national campaign of ACLU PSAs and as Here! TV’s red carpet hostess for the 11th Annual THE RIBBON OF HOPE AWARDS, both airing this year.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s no wonder, then, that legendary film critic Roger Ebert said, “She earns her stripes.”

Originally hailing from the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, Elaine now lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend entertainment attorney Christopher J. Corabi, and their rescued companions: canines Tiloc and Rossmore, and felines Goodie Cornbread and Kimbo. She has particular affinities for vanilla ice cream, STAR WARS, Elvis, and Target, and believes it is important to maintain a healthy balance of work, play, spirituality and shopping.

Find Elaine at http://www.elainehendrix.com