Some Facts
Accompanied her mother, Armenia Miles, to an audition for Northern Exposure (1990). Armenia went in to read for the part of "Marilyn." The show's casting agents saw Elaine in the waiting room and asked her to audition. From that reading, they gave her the part and cast her mother in the role of "Mrs. Anku." Subsequently, Armenia Miles was recast as "Mrs. Whirlwind" (Marilyn's mother).
She is a Cayuse-Nez Perce Indian
She got the role of Marilyn on Northern Exposure (1990) by accident - she had originally brought her mother in to audition, but the producers decided they wanted someone younger for the part and cast Elaine instead.
Her mother in Northern Exposure (1990) was played by her real-life mother Armenia Miles.
Has one son, Dustin.