SCREEN
Redmond , Washngton
The Hunt for
MARILYN
How Elaine Miles Became an Actress
BY MATTHEW KINCANON
ome people may recognize her as Marilyn Whirlwind from the Emmy Award-winning TV series “ Northern Exposure ;” others may remember her driving a car backwards while drinking a Coca-Cola in “ Smoke Signals .” Elaine Miles now has a guest role in the new HBO series “ The Last of Us .”
Even though she is known for her role as Marilyn in the show “ Northern Exposure ,” how Elaine got the role was something she never planned .
Her mom , Armenia Miles , planned to audition for the role of Marilyn , whose character was originally supposed to be 60 years old . Armenia needed help getting to the audition in Seattle — and Elaine was her ride .
When they arrived , there were many indigenous women from Canada and the Northwest Washington area auditioning for the part . While Armenia waited her turn , Elaine ’ s mind was focused on a powwow both planned to attend and she was worried about being late . John Vreeke , a producer who was at the front desk of the casting office , noticed Elaine in the waiting room and asked Armenia about her .
Elaine had been beating up a soda machine after it ate her quarter and wouldn ’ t give up her drink . Armenia got mad and started talking to her daughter in the Nez Perce and Cayuse language . However , Armenia was smiling , so no one at the casting office understood what was happening .
“ They had no clue my mom was getting mad at me . They thought it was
kind of cute because we were conversing in our own language .”
“ They had no clue my mom was getting mad at me . They thought it was kind of cute because we were conversing in our own language ,” Elaine said . “ And then he was like ‘ You two are so cute together ,’ and then I just looked at him and thought , ‘ Oh , OK .’”
54 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE