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October 21, 2025

Who Is Ella Marie Jolly? The Story of Randy Quaid’s ex-wife

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Ella Marie Jolly

Ella Marie Jolly is best known as the first wife of American actor Randy Quaid. But there is more to her story than a famous last name. She worked as a model, became a mother to actress and writer Amanda Quaid, and then chose a quiet, private life away from Hollywood news. This article shares what is known from trusted information and explains why people still search for her today.

Quick Bio

IteamDetail
Full nameElla Marie Jolly
Known forFirst wife of actor Randy Quaid; mother of Amanda Marie Quaid
ProfessionFormer model
Marriage to Randy QuaidMay 11, 1980
ChildAmanda Marie Quaid, born May 29, 1983
SeparationSeptember 9, 1986
DivorceAugust 24, 1989
Public presenceVery private; only rare public mentions, often in relation to Randy or Amanda

Early life and career

Public records about Ella Marie Jolly early life are limited, and that is part of her appeal. She is a private person who did not turn her past into a brand. What we do have are photo captions and biographical notes that identify her as a former model in the 1980s.

Unlike many celebrity spouses who give interviews or build social media followings, Jolly kept a low profile then and now. Most later references to her are brief and factual, focused on dates or family connections rather than personal details or quotes.

Marriage to Randy Quaid

Ella Marie Jolly married actor Randy Quaid on May 11, 1980.

During their marriage, the couple appeared together at industry events and film premieres. Press coverage at the time focused on Quaid’s movies and awards, not on Jolly herself, which fits her private approach to public life.

Motherhood: Amanda Marie Quaid

Ella and Randy welcomed their daughter Amanda Marie Quaid on May 29, 1983. Amanda later followed creative paths of her own as an actor, writer, filmmaker, voice coach, and poet.

Press reports about Randy Quaid’s life also mention Amanda by name and note that she is his daughter from a previous marriage, which is understood to be his marriage to Ella Marie Jolly.

Separation and divorce

Ella Marie Jolly and Randy Quaid separated on September 9, 1986 and divorced on August 24, 1989.

Only days after the divorce, on October 5, 1989, Quaid married Evi Motolanez at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California. Reports of the ceremony mention that six-year-old Amanda attended, again connecting back to Ella’s family timeline without drawing Ella herself into the spotlight.

Life out of the spotlight

After the divorce, Ella Marie Jolly did not stay in the news. There are no verified interviews where she shares her personal views, no memoir, and no official social media pages that she promotes. When her name appears, it is usually in reference to Amanda’s credits or to historical notes about Randy Quaid’s personal life.

This is important for readers: the lack of noise is itself the story. In an era when many people tied to celebrity culture choose publicity, Ella seems to have chosen privacy. This is why trusted information says very little beyond the basic facts.

Why people still search for Ella Marie Jolly

  1. Curiosity about Hollywood families. Fans of Randy Quaid, his brother Dennis Quaid, or even Amanda Quaid often want to understand family ties.
  2. A model who avoided celebrity culture. Being labeled a former model often draws interest, yet Ella did not turn that work into a long public career.
  3. A reminder that privacy is possible. Ella’s story shows that it is possible to step away from headlines, even when your family is in them.

What the record shows (and what it doesn’t)

What we can say with confidence

  • Ella Marie Jolly married Randy Quaid on May 11, 1980, they separated in 1986 and divorced in 1989.
  • They have one child, Amanda Marie Quaid (born May 29, 1983), who is a working artist with a public body of work.
  • Period photo captions and biographical records identify Ella as a former model.
  • News outlets confirm the timeline by reporting on Randy’s October 1989 wedding to Evi, naming Amanda (then age six) as present.

What we do not know from reliable information

  • Exact details of Ella’s modeling career, such as agencies, campaigns, or years active, are not documented.
  • Personal views, current work, or location are not part of the public record.

In short, the public facts form a clear, respectful outline, and the rest is her private life.

A short timeline

  • May 11, 1980 Marries Randy Quaid
  • May 29, 1983 Daughter Amanda is born
  • December 4, 1985 Appears with Randy at a New York film premiere
  • September 9, 1986 Separation
  • August 24, 1989 Divorce
  • October 5, 1989 Quaid marries Evi Motolanez; reports mention Amanda’s presence

Legacy and public interest

It may sound simple, but choosing privacy can be a strong legacy. Ella Marie Jolly appears at key moments in Hollywood history and then steps away. Her daughter Amanda has built a creative life with stage, film, and writing credits while Ella has remained offstage. That balance is unusual in entertainment families and may be why readers still look for her story.

Final thought

Ella Marie Jolly story is short on gossip and long on quiet choices. The record shows a model who married a well-known actor, became a mother, and then kept her life her own. In a world that rewards noise, her silence says a lot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Who is Ella Jolly?
    She is the former model who married actor Randy Quaid in 1980 and is the mother of Amanda Marie Quaid.
  2. When did Ella Jolly and Randy Quaid get married?
    May 11, 1980.
  3. Do Ella and Randy have children?
    Yes. Their daughter is Amanda Marie Quaid, born May 29, 1983.
  4. When did Ella and Randy separate and divorce?
    They separated on September 9, 1986 and divorced on August 24, 1989.
  5. Is there proof Ella worked as a model?
    Yes, period photo captions identify her as a former model.
  6. Is Ella active on social media or in the press today?
    No verified accounts suggest she is public today.
  7. What does Amanda Quaid do?
    Amanda is a multi-disciplinary artist, actor, filmmaker, teacher, and poet.
  8. How do we know the 1989 family details are accurate?
    They were reported by reputable news outlets at the time of Randy’s second marriage.
  9. Did Ella ever give interviews about the marriage or divorce?
    There are no verifiable interviews from Ella herself.
  10. Why is there so little public information about Ella Jolly?
    Because she chose privacy. Reliable information records only what can be confirmed.

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