Ellen Massee. (Entertaining Elephants)
The actor who infamously shot Bruce Lee’s son dead on the set of The Crow in 1993 has passed away at 61. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, 51. Michael Massee’s death was first announced by actor, Anthony Delon’s Instagram post that read, “R.I.P. my friend Michael. You were ‘five seconds away from a clean getaway.’” The duo starred in the French TV series, Interventions, together. The Hollywood Reporter says that Michael had been battling cancer.
Michael and Ellen were married in 2001 and had two children together.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Ellen Owns a Children’s Clothing Boutique in Los Angeles
The front of Entertaining Elephants in Studio City. (Google Street View)
According to her LinkedIn page, Ellen owns and is the chief designer for a children’s clothing boutique, Entertaining Elephants. On their website, the company is described as:
Clothing is based on simple classic shapes and quality materials. Soft, comfortable, versatile, organic and sustainable – kids clothes your children will want to live in playtime through bedtime.
Simple, timeless shapes in wonderful colors to mix, match and layer. Quality fabric and construction that will last wash after wash, year after year. Designed to endure, full-length pants become cropped, a dress becomes a tunic.
You’ll find your children asking for their clothes with the little elephant again and again, and because quality and sustainability never go out of style, they can be lovingly passed down to the next generation.
In a 2012 interview with LA Weekly, Ellen explained her motivations for opening the business, saying, “I always wanted to do something for kids. Everything was pink and blue … kiddie stuff. I wanted to introduce children to items and colors from around the world.” She adds:
I love clothes made in poorer countries. Those with less tend to have a greater sense of color because it cheers them up — as opposed to those with more, who often opt to wear black and gray.
Ellen also says, “My products are ones that last. But most of all, my products are ones that mean something.”
2. In 2008, Michael & Ellen Got Into a Major Property Dispute With Famed Music Photographer Jim Steinfeldt
Music photograph Jim Steinfeldt. (Getty)
Online records show that Ellen and Michael Massee lived in home along Elusive Drive in Hollywood. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2008 that the couple was involved in a fierce property dispute with music photographer Jim Steinfeldt.
The couple told the Times that Steinfeldt’s complaints to the city that the couple were ignoring leash and garbage laws were retaliatory. Ellen Massee told the Times that the couple was asking their neighbors to contribute to street repairs that the Massees had paid for up front. The only way that they could get the money from the city was if they sued, Ellen Massee said, “We were forced to name anybody with property adjacent to the road in the lawsuit. It made us ill.” While Steinfeldt said that Michael was using the public street “as his own.”
3. She Is a New York Native
An old photo of Ellen and Michael together from their daughter’s Instagram page.
According to her Facebook page, Ellen is a native of Hastings-on-Hudson but now lives in Los Angeles.
4. Their Daughter Wrote a Touching Tribute to Her Dad on Instagram
Michael Massee pictured on his daughter’s Instagram page less than two months before his death.
Less than two months for his death, Michael and Ellen’s daughter posted a photo to Instagram saying, “Happy happy birthday to the strongest person I know . Love you dad! Keep kicking ass.” According to her Facebook page, their daughter is a student at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and is an aspiring photographer.
5. Michael Massee Said of Shooting Brandon Lee, ‘I Don’t Think You Ever Get Over Something Like That’
Famously, Michael shot Brandon Lee dead in an accidental shooting on the set of The Crow in 1993. In a 2005 interview, Michael explained, “I don’t think you ever get over something like that.” As a result of the accident, Michael retired from public life for a time.