Kelly Shipe is the daughter of Jerry and Peggy Shipe. She is a native of East Tennessee. and grew up on a farm in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Kelly graduated from of the University of Tennessee Theatre Program and is a member of Sag-Aftra as well as a member of the Equity Los Angeles based Theatre Company, Actors Co-op. Her work includes National Commercials, Film, Theatre and Print. Kelly co-produced and starred in the short film, The Unforgiving Minute narrated by Academy Award winning Actress Viola Davis and directed by Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer. She has also had the privilege to work with Academy Award winning director, Errol Morris, renowned video director and photographer, Peggy Sirota and well-respected director/cinematographer, Richard DeWitt among others. Kelly wrote, produced and starred in the 2014 film Candee Noir that World Premiered in New York City at the SoHo International Film Festival. Candee Noir also screened at The Raindance International Film Festival in London, England, and at The Knoxville Film Festival. Candee Noir also received the Emerging Women Filmmaker Award at The Pictoclik Women in Cinema Showcase in San Francisco, CA. In 2018, Kelly took on the lead role of Rabi Xaler in the Rock Opera Film, Flirting with Azrael, based on acclaimed indie recording artist and musician, John Tod Baker's concept album of the same name. In the fall of 2018, Kelly was thrilled to have the opportunity to play the role of Adena Barnett (opposite Tony Award winner, Shuler Hensley) in the Civil War era feature, Into the Wilderness. Kelly studied with acting coach Anita Jesse at the Gardner Stages in Los Angeles in the class that included Octavia Spencer, Tate Taylor, Deb Carson and John Pearson. Kelly is married to Terry Jeffers and is the mother to three boys, Elliott, Henry and Ryder.