- Close friends with actor and fellow Baha'i Lois Hall,and her husband Maurice Willows. In 1952, Eli turned down the opportunity to sign with Paramount Pictures for a multi picture contract as a featured actor, so that instead he could devote all his time to volunteering for the Baha'i Faith (which is devoted to world peace and unity) and to also volunteer for the burgeoning Civil Rights movement.
- In the mid 1950s, he studied acting in New York with the renowned Moscow Art Theatre instructor Boris Marshalov, and he acted in many off Broadway plays, playing the lead in several productions.
- In the early 1950s, he taught ballroom dancing for Arthur Murray Studios, Dale Dance Studios, and Hazel Wright Dance Studio, and he was a professional tango dancer for 4 years, doing performances all over the United States.
- From the 1950s through the 1990s, has performed in 21 other movies in uncredited bit parts, including the films "The Greatest Story Ever Told,""The Best Man," "It's a Mad, Mad World," and "Mr. Saturday Night.".
- In 1957, Eli was the associate producer of a Chicago based TV show that aired on ABC in Chicago. It was a two hour show that was in a variety show format. The show was hosted by Mr.Richard Lewellen (not to be confused with the Welsh born Richard Llewellyn).
- Eli was happily married for 45 years, to Barbara Iverson Borax. Barbara was a songwriter, and she had been an actress and radio star in the 1930's when she was a child. Eli and Barbara had only one child, a daughter, who is a professional Counselor.
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