What's After the Movie
Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn (born Edna Rae Gillooly; December 7, 1932) is an American actress cherished for her portrayals of complex female characters in drama films and series. Avidly recognized as one of few performers to secure the 'Triple Crown of Acting', she has received an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. Burstyn's acting debut occurred on Broadway starring in Fair Game (1957). She won her Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Same Time, Next Year (1975) and rose to further international fame after earning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974). Her other Oscar-nominated roles include those in The Last Picture Show (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Same Time, Next Year (1978), Resurrection (1980), and Requiem for a Dream (2000). Burstyn also earned Primetime Emmy Awards for her roles in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009) and Political Animals (2013). Honoured for her contributions to theater, Burstyn was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2013.
Early life saw Burstyn born in Detroit as the daughter of Correine Marie (née Hamel) and John Austin Gillooly. A cheerleader, student council member, and drama club president in high school, she began her career as a dancer and model before committing to acting. She debuted on The Jackie Gleason Show under the name Erica Dean and adopted 'Ellen McRae' as her professional name prior to her 1964 marriage, after which she took on her current surname. Burstyn continued to act into the 2010s with notable roles in films like Interstellar (2014) and television series like House of Cards (2016).
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Ellen Burstyn, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Ellen Burstyn rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Edna Rae Gillooly
Born: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: December 7, 1932
Occupations: Actress
Years Active: 1955-present
Children: 1
Spouses: William Alexander, Paul Roberts, Neil Burstyn
External Links and Streaming Options
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Awards and Nominations Received by Ellen Burstyn
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Ellen Burstyn has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actress)
The Last Picture ShowMovies Featuring Ellen Burstyn
Interstellar
The Last Picture Show
The Tale
The Exorcist
Pieces of a Woman
The House of Tomorrow
Requiem for a Dream
The Stone Angel
Three Months
Nostalgia
Lucy in the Sky
The Calling
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
The Wicker Man
Queen Bees
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
The Age of Adaline
Friedkin Uncut
Playing by Heart
Twice in a Lifetime
All I Wish
The Exorcist: Believer
Mother, Couch
BBStory: An American Film Renaissance
Political Animals
Coma
Wish You Well
Flowers in the Attic
And the Oscar Goes To…
Petals on the Wind
Unity
Marilyn Monroe: Auction of a Lifetime
Steven Arnold: Heavenly Bodies
Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist
Mermaid
Within These Walls
Delphine and Carole
The Making of Requiem for a Dream
Brush with Fate
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex ’n’ Drugs ’n’ Rock ’n’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood
Mrs. Harris
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story
Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow
The Five People You Meet In Heaven
Mitch Albom’s For One More Day
When You Remember Me
Resurrection
Night of 100 Stars
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore: Second Chances
Dying Young
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas
Night of 100 Stars II
Into Thin Air
Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love
Silence of the North
I Love Liberty
The Ambassador
Surviving
Something in Common
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Hanna’s War
Grand Isle
Be Pretty and Shut Up!
Hello Actors Studio
Broadway’s Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre
Act of Vengeance
Reframed: Marilyn Monroe
People vs. Jean Harris
Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes
A Dream of Passion
Earth and the American Dream
Follow The River
People vs. Jean Harris
Alex in Wonderland
The Cemetery Club
When a Man Loves a Woman
For Those Who Think Young
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story
Goodbye Charlie
My Brother’s Keeper
Providence
A Will of their Own
The Last Picture Show: A Look Back
Marilyn in Manhattan
How to Make an American Quilt
You Can Thank Me Later
A Deadly Vision
Night Ride Home
PoliWood
Roommates
Timepiece
Thursday’s Game
Getting Gotti
Pit Stop
Walking Across Egypt
The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute
Lovely, Still
Same Time, Next Year
Flash
The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist
The Patron Saint of Liars
According to Greta
Getting Out
E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump
The King of Marvin Gardens
Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist
Tropic of Cancer
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Ellen Burstyn, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2024
Mother, Couch
Mother
E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump
E. Jean Carroll
Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist
Self
2019
Lucy in the Sky
Nana Holbrook
Friedkin Uncut
Self
Steven Arnold: Heavenly Bodies
Self
Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist
Self (archive footage)
Delphine and Carole
Self (archive footage)
2014
Interstellar
The Calling
Flowers in the Attic
Grandmother
And the Oscar Goes To…
Self - Interviewee
Petals on the Wind
Olivia Foxworth
2006
The Wicker Man
Mrs. Harris
Former Tarnower Steady
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story
Self
Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow
Self
2003
Brush with Fate
Rika
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex ’n’ Drugs ’n’ Rock ’n’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood
Self
1999
Playing by Heart
The Last Picture Show: A Look Back
Self
Night Ride Home
Maggie
Walking Across Egypt
Mattie Rigsbee
1998
Marilyn in Manhattan
Self
You Can Thank Me Later
Shirley Cooperberg
The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist
Self - Chris MacNeil
The Patron Saint of Liars
June Clatterbuck
1995
Follow The River
Gretel
My Brother’s Keeper
Helen
How to Make an American Quilt
Hy Dodd
Roommates
Judith
1991
Dying Young
Mrs. O'Neil
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas
Self
Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love
Lillian "Lil" Lambert
Grand Isle
Mademoiselle Reisz
1981
Silence of the North
Olive Frederickson
Be Pretty and Shut Up!
Self
People vs. Jean Harris
Jean Harris
People vs. Jean Harris
Jean Harris
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