Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn

Ellen Burstyn

Born: December 7, 1932 (93 years)
Detroit, Michigan, USA

Ellen Burstyn (born Edna Rae Gillooly; December 7, 1932) is an American actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women in dramas, she has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, making her one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting". She has also received a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. Burstyn made her acting debut on Broadway in Fair Game in 1957 before winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Same Time, Next Year (1975). She earned the Academy Award for Best Actress as the widow Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese's romantic drama Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974). Her other Oscar-nominated roles were in The Last Picture Show (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Same Time, Next Year (1978), Resurrection (1980), and Requiem for a Dream (2000). Her other notable films include Harry and Tonto (1974), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), W. (2008), Interstellar (2014), The Age of Adaline (2015), and Pieces of a Woman (2020). She won Primetime Emmy Awards for her guest role in the NBC legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009) and supporting role in the USA Network political miniseries Political Animals (2013). Her other Emmy-nominated roles include Pack of Lies (1988), Mrs. Harris (2005), Big Love (2008), Draft Day, Flowers in the Attic (both 2014), and House of Cards (2016). Since 2000, she has been co-president of the Actors Studio, a drama school in New York City. In 2013, she was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame for her work onstage.

Movies Directed (1)
Movies as Actor (146)
Breakdown: 1975

Breakdown: 1975

as Self

Dec 18, 2025

This Ordinary Thing

This Ordinary Thing

as Self (voice)

Dec 5, 2025

Duse, the Greatest

Duse, the Greatest

Feb 3, 2025

E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump

E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump

as E. Jean Carroll

Oct 3, 2024

Mother, Couch

Mother, Couch

as Mother

Jul 5, 2024

Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist

Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist

as Self

Mar 26, 2024

The Exorcist: Believer

The Exorcist: Believer

as Chris MacNeil

Oct 4, 2023

Three Months

Three Months

as Valerie

Feb 23, 2022

Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes

Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes

as Herself

Dec 4, 2021

Queen Bees

Queen Bees

as Helen Wilson

Jun 11, 2021

Watch on the Rhine

Watch on the Rhine

as Fanny

May 13, 2021

Pieces of a Woman

Pieces of a Woman

as Elizabeth Weiss

Dec 30, 2020

Delphine and Carole

Delphine and Carole

as Self (archive footage)

Jan 14, 2020

Lucy in the Sky

Lucy in the Sky

as Nana Holbrook

Sep 20, 2019

American Woman

American Woman

as Miss Dolly

Sep 12, 2019

Steven Arnold: Heavenly Bodies

Steven Arnold: Heavenly Bodies

as Self

Jul 21, 2019

The House of Tomorrow

The House of Tomorrow

as Josephine Prendergast

Jun 20, 2019

Friedkin Uncut

Friedkin Uncut

as Self

Nov 5, 2018

Nostalgia

Nostalgia

as Helen Greer

Feb 16, 2018

All I Wish

All I Wish

as Celia Berges

Feb 1, 2018

The Tale

The Tale

as Nettie

Jan 20, 2018

Marilyn Monroe: Auction of a Lifetime

Marilyn Monroe: Auction of a Lifetime

as Self

Apr 5, 2017

Wiener-Dog

Wiener-Dog

as Nana

Jun 24, 2016

Custody

Custody

as Beatrice Fisher

Apr 17, 2016

Unity

Unity

as Narrator (voice)

Aug 12, 2015

About Scout

About Scout

as Gram

Apr 25, 2015

The Age of Adaline

The Age of Adaline

as Flemming

Apr 16, 2015

Interstellar

Interstellar

as Murph (older)

Nov 5, 2014

The Calling

The Calling

as Emily Micallef

Aug 5, 2014

Petals on the Wind

Petals on the Wind

as Olivia Foxworth

May 26, 2014

Two Men in Town

Two Men in Town

as Mère Garnett

May 7, 2014

Draft Day

Draft Day

as Barb Weaver

Apr 11, 2014

River of Fundament

River of Fundament

as Hathfertiti

Feb 12, 2014

And the Oscar Goes To...

And the Oscar Goes To...

as Self - Interviewee

Feb 1, 2014

Flowers in the Attic

Flowers in the Attic

as Grandmother

Jan 18, 2014

Wish You Well

Wish You Well

as Louisa Mae Cardinal

Oct 19, 2013

Love, Marilyn

Love, Marilyn

as Self

May 30, 2013

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You

as Nanette

Feb 24, 2012

Another Happy Day

Another Happy Day

as Doris Baker

Nov 18, 2011

The Mighty Macs

The Mighty Macs

as Mother St. John

Oct 21, 2011

Reflections of a Philosopher King

Reflections of a Philosopher King

as Self

Nov 23, 2010

BBStory: An American Film Renaissance

BBStory: An American Film Renaissance

as Self

Nov 23, 2010

America Lost and Found: The BBS Story

America Lost and Found: The BBS Story

as Self

Nov 23, 2010

Main Street

Main Street

as Georgiana Carr

Oct 21, 2010

According to Greta

According to Greta

as Katherine

Nov 25, 2009

Lovely, Still

Lovely, Still

as Mary

Oct 3, 2009

PoliWood

PoliWood

as Self

Jul 3, 2009

The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit

as Swan (voice)

Feb 27, 2009

W.

W.

as Barbara Bush

Oct 17, 2008

The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond

The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond

as Miss Addie

Sep 12, 2008

Mitch Albom's For One More Day

Mitch Albom's For One More Day

as Pauline "Posey" Benetto

Dec 9, 2007

The Stone Angel

The Stone Angel

as Hagar

Sep 12, 2007

The Fountain

The Fountain

as Dr. Lillian Guzetti

Nov 22, 2006

30 Days

30 Days

as Maura

Oct 6, 2006

The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man

as Sister Summersisle

Aug 31, 2006

Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow

Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow

as Self

Jun 22, 2006

Stardust: The Bette Davis Story

Stardust: The Bette Davis Story

as Self

May 3, 2006

The Elephant King

The Elephant King

as Diana Hunt

Apr 26, 2006

Mrs. Harris

Mrs. Harris

as Former Tarnower Steady

Feb 25, 2006

Our Fathers

Our Fathers

as Mary Ryan

May 11, 2005

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

as Ruby

Dec 5, 2004

The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel

The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel

as Tommie

Oct 31, 2004

Second Chances: The Making of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"

Second Chances: The Making of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"

as Self

Aug 24, 2004

A Decade Under the Influence

A Decade Under the Influence

as Self

Apr 25, 2003

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

as Self

Mar 9, 2003

Brush with Fate

Brush with Fate

as Rika

Jan 1, 2003

Red Dragon

Red Dragon

as Grandma Dolarhyde (voice) (uncredited)

Oct 2, 2002

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

as Vivi

Jun 7, 2002

Within These Walls

Within These Walls

as Joan Thomas

Aug 20, 2001

Memories, Dreams & Addictions

Memories, Dreams & Addictions

as Self

May 22, 2001

The Making of Requiem for a Dream

The Making of Requiem for a Dream

as Self

May 22, 2001

Requiem for a Dream

Requiem for a Dream

as Sara Goldfarb

Oct 6, 2000

Mermaid

Mermaid

as Trish

May 21, 2000

The Yards

The Yards

as Val Handler

Apr 27, 2000

Walking Across Egypt

Walking Across Egypt

as Mattie Rigsbee

Dec 17, 1999

The Last Picture Show: A Look Back

The Last Picture Show: A Look Back

as Self

Apr 25, 1999

Night Ride Home

Night Ride Home

as Maggie

Feb 7, 1999

Playing by Heart

Playing by Heart

as Mildred

Dec 30, 1998

Marilyn in Manhattan

Marilyn in Manhattan

as Self

Sep 5, 1998

You Can Thank Me Later

You Can Thank Me Later

as Shirley Cooperberg

Sep 3, 1998

The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist

The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist

as Self - Chris MacNeil

Jun 13, 1998

The Patron Saint of Liars

The Patron Saint of Liars

as June Clatterbuck

Apr 5, 1998

Flash

Flash

as Laura Strong

Dec 21, 1997

Deceiver

Deceiver

as Mook

Aug 31, 1997

A Deadly Vision

A Deadly Vision

as Yvette Watson

Apr 21, 1997

Timepiece

Timepiece

as Maud Gannon

Dec 22, 1996

The Spitfire Grill

The Spitfire Grill

as Hannah Ferguson

Aug 23, 1996

How to Make an American Quilt

How to Make an American Quilt

as Hy Dodd

Oct 6, 1995

The Baby-Sitters Club

The Baby-Sitters Club

as Mrs. Haberman

Aug 18, 1995

Follow The River

Follow The River

as Gretel

Apr 22, 1995

My Brother's Keeper

My Brother's Keeper

as Helen

Mar 19, 1995

Roommates

Roommates

as Judith

Mar 3, 1995

Trick of the Eye

Trick of the Eye

as Frances Griffin

Oct 22, 1994

Getting Gotti

Getting Gotti

as Jo Giacalone

May 10, 1994

When a Man Loves a Woman

When a Man Loves a Woman

as Emily

Apr 29, 1994

Getting Out

Getting Out

as Arlie's Mother

Apr 25, 1994

Roots of Roe

Roots of Roe

as Narrator (voice)

Nov 29, 1993

Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story

Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story

as Joan Delvecchio

Sep 27, 1993

The Cemetery Club

The Cemetery Club

as Esther Moskowitz

Feb 3, 1993

Earth and the American Dream

Earth and the American Dream

as Reader (voice)

Oct 1, 1992

When It Was a Game 2

When It Was a Game 2

as Passage Narrator (voice)

Jul 13, 1992

Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story

Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story

as Wilma

Mar 15, 1992

Picture This

Picture This

as Self

Sep 6, 1991

Grand Isle

Grand Isle

as Mademoiselle Reisz

Aug 23, 1991

Dying Young

Dying Young

as Mrs. O'Neil

Jun 20, 1991

Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love

Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love

as Lillian "Lil" Lambert

May 12, 1991

When You Remember Me

When You Remember Me

as Nurse Cooder

Oct 7, 1990

The Color of Evening

The Color of Evening

as Kate O'Rielly

Sep 1, 1990

Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre

Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre

as Self

Jun 26, 1989

Hello Actors Studio

Hello Actors Studio

as Self

Nov 9, 1988

Hanna's War

Hanna's War

as Katalin

Apr 14, 1988

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam

as Mrs. Stocks (voice)

Oct 1, 1987

Pack of Lies

Pack of Lies

as Barbara Jackson

Apr 26, 1987

Something in Common

Something in Common

as Lynn Hollander

Nov 2, 1986

Act of Vengeance

Act of Vengeance

as Margaret Yablonski

Sep 4, 1986

Into Thin Air

Into Thin Air

as Joan Walker

Oct 29, 1985

Twice in a Lifetime

Twice in a Lifetime

as Kate MacKenzie

Oct 23, 1985

Night of 100 Stars II

Night of 100 Stars II

as Self

Mar 10, 1985

Surviving

Surviving

as Tina Brogan

Feb 10, 1985

The Ambassador

The Ambassador

as Alex Hacker

Jan 11, 1985

I Love Liberty

I Love Liberty

as Self

Mar 21, 1982

Night of 100 Stars

Night of 100 Stars

as Self

Mar 8, 1982

Silence of the North

Silence of the North

as Olive Frederickson

Oct 23, 1981

People vs. Jean Harris

People vs. Jean Harris

as Jean Harris

May 7, 1981

Be Pretty and Shut Up!

Be Pretty and Shut Up!

as Self

Mar 4, 1981

Resurrection

Resurrection

as Edna

Sep 26, 1980

A Dream of Passion

A Dream of Passion

as Brenda Collins

May 21, 1978

Same Time, Next Year

Same Time, Next Year

as Doris

Apr 23, 1978

Providence

Providence

as Sonia Langham

Jan 25, 1977

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

as Alice Hyatt

Dec 9, 1974

Harry and Tonto

Harry and Tonto

as Shirley Mallard

Aug 12, 1974

Thursday's Game

Thursday's Game

as Lynne Evers

Apr 14, 1974

The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute

The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute

as Self (archive footage)

Feb 20, 1974

The Exorcist

The Exorcist

as Chris MacNeil

Dec 26, 1973

The King of Marvin Gardens

The King of Marvin Gardens

as Sally

Oct 13, 1972

The Last Picture Show

The Last Picture Show

as Lois Farrow

Oct 3, 1971

Alex in Wonderland

Alex in Wonderland

as Beth Morrison

Dec 22, 1970

Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Cancer

as Mona (uncredited)

Feb 27, 1970

Pit Stop

Pit Stop

as Ellen McCleod

May 14, 1969

Goodbye Charlie

Goodbye Charlie

as Franny Salzman

Nov 18, 1964

For Those Who Think Young

For Those Who Think Young

as Dr. Pauline Swenson

Jun 1, 1964

Ricochet

Ricochet

as Rose Maxon

Oct 3, 1961

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree

as Elizabeth

Dec 14, 1958

Easy Out?

Easy Out?

as Mary

Jan 1, 1948

Bathing Flo

Bathing Flo

Place to Be

Place to Be

as Brooke

TV Shows as Actor (49)
The First Lady

The First Lady

as Sara Delano Roosevelt

Apr 17, 2022

Reframed: Marilyn Monroe

Reframed: Marilyn Monroe

as Self

Jan 16, 2022

Law & Order: Organized Crime

Law & Order: Organized Crime

as Bernadette 'Bernie' Stabler

Apr 1, 2021

Mom

Mom

as Shirley

Sep 23, 2013

House of Cards

House of Cards

as Elizabeth Hale

Feb 1, 2013

Coma

Coma

as Mrs. Emerson

Sep 3, 2012

Political Animals

Political Animals

as Margaret Barrish

Jul 15, 2012

Big Love

Big Love

as Nancy Davis Dutton

Mar 12, 2006

The Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel

as Bishop Beatrice Congreve

Jan 6, 2006

That's Life

That's Life

as Dolly DeLucca

Oct 1, 2000

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Bernie Stabler

Sep 20, 1999

A Will of their Own

A Will of their Own

as Veronica Steward

Oct 18, 1998

The View

The View

as Self

Aug 11, 1997

HARDtalk

HARDtalk

Apr 1, 1997

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

as Self - Guest

Jun 10, 1996

Inside the Actors Studio

Inside the Actors Studio

as Self

Aug 14, 1994

American Experience

American Experience

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 4, 1988

The Ellen Burstyn Show

The Ellen Burstyn Show

as Ellen Brewer

Sep 20, 1986

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Oct 11, 1975

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

as Self

Jan 12, 1975

Dinah!

Dinah!

as Self

Oct 21, 1974

The Time Tunnel

The Time Tunnel

as Eve Holland

Sep 9, 1966

The Big Valley

The Big Valley

as Sister Sarah Jacob

Sep 15, 1965

Kraft Suspense Theatre

Kraft Suspense Theatre

as Barbara Sherwood / Lucille Benton

Oct 10, 1963

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

as Eva Laurelton

Oct 4, 1963

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth

as Susan Mason

Sep 17, 1963

Vacation Playhouse

Vacation Playhouse

as Ellen

Jul 22, 1963

Going My Way

Going My Way

as Louise

Oct 3, 1962

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self

Oct 1, 1962

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

as Joan

Sep 28, 1962

The Virginian

The Virginian

as Kate Burden

Sep 19, 1962

Ben Casey

Ben Casey

as Dr. Leslie Fraser, Connie

Oct 2, 1961

Bus Stop

Bus Stop

as Phyllis Dunning

Oct 1, 1961

Dr. Kildare

Dr. Kildare

as Anne Garner

Sep 27, 1961

The Defenders

The Defenders

as Hilda Wesley

Sep 16, 1961

Kraft Mystery Theatre

Kraft Mystery Theatre

as Greta Dryden

Jun 14, 1961

Surfside 6

Surfside 6

as Wandra Drake

Oct 6, 1960

Checkmate

Checkmate

as Margo as Ellen McRae

Sep 17, 1960

The Detectives

The Detectives

as Nora

Oct 16, 1959

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

as Donna Whittaker

Sep 29, 1959

77 Sunset Strip

77 Sunset Strip

as Betty Benson, Sandra Keene

Oct 10, 1958

Perry Mason

Perry Mason

as Mona Winthrope White

Sep 21, 1957

Tony Awards

Tony Awards

as Self - Host, Self - Winner, Self - Presenter, Self - Host/Presenter, Self - Audience Member

Apr 1, 1956

Cheyenne

Cheyenne

as Emmy Mae

Sep 20, 1955

Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke

as Polly, Amy Waters

Sep 10, 1955

Letter to Loretta

Letter to Loretta

as Ann Walters

Sep 20, 1953

The Oscars

The Oscars

as Self

Mar 19, 1953

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Elizabeth, Barbara Jackson, Maggie, Rika

Dec 24, 1951

Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Presenter, Self - Nominee

Jan 20, 1944