Born in Harrisburg, PA; son of matte artist Peter Ellenshaw. Matte artist and visual effects supervisor in American film from 1974. Notable credits include THE SHAGGY D.A. (1976), THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976 - special photographic effects), STAR WARS and PETE'S DRAGON (1977), THE BLACK HOLE (1979), THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980), TRON (1982, also assoc. producer), CAPTAIN EO (1986), SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987, also 2nd unit director), MILLENNIUM (1989), DICK TRACY and GHOST (both 1990), HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID (1992), DAVE (1993), "Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995, TV series) and ESCAPE FROM L.A. (1996 - exec. producer). His sole directing credit is DEAD SILENCE (1989).  Nominated for Visual Effects 1979: THE BLACK HOLE (w. Peter Ellenshaw, Art Cruickshank, Eustace Lycett, Danny Lee & Joe Hale) 1 nomination