Elena Ouspenskaia (Yelena Uspenskaya) was born on January 27, 1953, in Tver, Russia. She wanted to be an actress since age 11; eventually studying acting in Moscow at the State Institute of Theatre Art (GITIS) now The Russian University of Theatre Arts. Worked in theaters of Orel and Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Moved to New York in 1992.Known for Winifred in HBO's Project Greenlight Finalist: Winning Entry (2015). Old Russian Woman in "The Rusalka" episode of Madam Secretary CBS (2015)