Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows Register/Login Games Grosses
Ellen Barkin Headshot

Ellen Barkin

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

Latest News on Ellen Barkin:

read more news

BIO

Ellen Barkin is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress whose career spans film, television, and theater. She broke through with Barry Levinson's Diner (1982), followed by acclaimed performances in Tender Mercies (1983), opposite Robert Duvall, and Eddie and the Cruisers (1983). She went on to star in successful films including The Big Easy with Dennis Quaid, Sea of Love with Al Pacino, and Another Happy Day, the latter earning widespread critical acclaim.


Alongside her film work, Barkin appeared in Off-Broadway productions including Extremities and Eden Court before making her Broadway debut in The Normal Heart. Her performance as Dr. Brookner earned her the 2011 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. On television, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Before Women Had Wings and later starred in the Showtime comedy-drama Happyish and the TNT crime drama Animal Kingdom, playing family matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody from 2016 to 2019.

In addition to acting, Barkin co-founded a film production company in 2005 with her brother, George Barkin, and has also contributed voice work, including introductions for Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour.

Photos

More Photos

STAGE CREDITS

The Normal Heart The Normal Heart
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Dr. Emma Brookner
Short Talks on the Universe
[Broadway]
Special Benefit Production, 2002
Simone
Eden Court
[Off-Broadway]
1985
Performer
Fool for Love
[Off-Broadway]
1983
May [Replacement]
Extremities
[Off-Broadway]
1982
Terry
Killings on the Last Line
[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer
Shout Across the River
[Off-Broadway]
1979
Christine

Movies

Diner
[ 1982 ] Beth
Eddie and the Cruisers
[ 1983 ] Maggie Foley
Daniel
[ 1983 ] Phyllis Isaacson
Tender Mercies
[ 1983 ] Sue Anne
Enormous Changes at the Last Minute
[ 1983 ] Virginia
Harry & Son
[ 1984 ] Katie Wilowski
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
[ 1984 ] Penny Priddy
Terminal Choice
[ 1985 ] Mary O Connor
The Big Easy
[ 1986 ] Anne Osborne
Desert Bloom
[ 1986 ] Aunt Starr
Down by Law
[ 1986 ] Laurette
Siesta
[ 1987 ] Claire
Sea of Love
[ 1989 ] Helen
Johnny Handsome
[ 1989 ] Sunny Boyd
Switch
[ 1991 ] Amanda Brooks
Man Trouble
[ 1992 ] Joan Spruance
Into the West
[ 1992 ] Kathleen
Mac
[ 1992 ] Oona Goldfarb
This Boy's Life
[ 1993 ] Caroline
Wild Bill
[ 1995 ] Calamity Jane
Bad Company
[ 1995 ] Margaret Wells
The Fan
[ 1996 ] Jewel Stern
Mad Dog Time
[ 1996 ] Rita Everly
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
[ 1998 ] North Star Waitress
Drop Dead Gorgeous
[ 1999 ] Annette Atkins
The White River Kid
[ 1999 ] Eva Nell La Fangroy
Mercy
[ 2000 ] Det. Cathy Palmer
Crime + Punishment in Suburbia
[ 2000 ] Maggie Skolnick
Someone Like You
[ 2001 ] Diane Roberts
Palindromes
[ 2004 ] Joyce Victor
She Hate Me
[ 2004 ] Margo Chadwick
Trust the Man
[ 2005 ] Norah
Ocean's Thirteen
[ 2007 ] Abigail Sponder
Brooklyn's Finest
[ 2009 ] Agent Smith
Happy Tears
[ 2009 ] Shelly
Shit Year
[ 2010 ] Colleen West
Operation: Endgame
[ 2010 ] Empress
Twelve
[ 2010 ] Jessica's Mother
The Chameleon
[ 2010 ] Kimberly Miller
Letters to Juliet
[ 2010 ] producer
Another Happy Day
[ 2011 ] Lynn
Very Good Girls
[ 2013 ] Norma
The Cobbler
[ 2014 ] Elaine Greenawalt
Hands of Stone
[ 2016 ] Stephanie Arcel
Active Adults
[ 2017 ] Lucy
Breaking News in Yuba County
[ 2021 ] Debbie
The Man from Toronto
[ 2022 ] The Handler
The Out-Laws
[ 2023 ] Lilly McDermott

TV Shows

Animal Kingdom
Janine 'Smurf' Cody
The New Normal
Jane Forrest

Awards and Nominations


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2011 - Performance

Ellen Barkin, The Normal Heart


winner
Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Ellen Barkin, The Normal Heart

Videos

More Videos

News

Tony Kushner to Direct THE NORMAL HEART 40th Anniversary Benefit Reading at The Publi Photo
Tony Kushner to Direct THE NORMAL HEART 40th Anniversary Benefit Reading at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2026

The Public Theater will present a one-night-only reading of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart in honor of the groundbreaking play’s 40th anniversary. Tony Kushner will direct the benefit reading.
Titanique Broadway Cast: Meet Every Star at the St. James Photo
Titanique Broadway Cast: Meet Every Star at the St. James
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2026

Meet the full Titanique Broadway cast! Jim Parsons, Melissa Barrera, Deborah Cox & more bring this Céline Dion-powered musical comedy to the St. James Theatre.
Michael Patrick King to Be Honored by the Human Rights Campaign Photo
Michael Patrick King to Be Honored by the Human Rights Campaign
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2026

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will honor LGBTQ+ writer, director and producer Michael Patrick King at this year’s Los Angeles Dinner, which will be held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 28, 2026.
Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande and Constantine Rousouli Join TITANIQUE Broa Photo
Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande and Constantine Rousouli Join TITANIQUE Broadway Cast
by Stephi Wild - Jan 8, 2026

Titanique has announced some of its Broadway cast! Alongside Marla Mindelle, who will lead the Broadway company as Celine Dion, are Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande and Constantine Rousouli.
A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD KIND: HOW NOT TO BE FAMOUS is Coming to Patchogue Theatre Photo
A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD KIND: HOW NOT TO BE FAMOUS is Coming to Patchogue Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 26, 2025

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts will present A Conversation with Richard Kind: How NOT To Be Famous, appearing in May. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
HOW NOT TO BE FAMOUS: A Conversation With Richard Kind is Coming to BroadwaySF Photo
HOW NOT TO BE FAMOUS: A Conversation With Richard Kind is Coming to BroadwaySF
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 25, 2025

BroadwaySF will present How Not To Be Famous: A Conversation with Richard Kind— a one-night-only event featuring the beloved veteran actor as he shares stories, humor, and stand-up at the Curran Theatre. Learn more!
Twelve Days of Christmas: Richard Kind Photo
Twelve Days of Christmas: Richard Kind
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 18, 2024

The holidays are upon us and BroadwayWorld is continuing our favorite annual tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a Twelve Days of Christmas countdown. Day 6 features Richard Kind!
Meet the Cast of ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Dec 11, 2024

The world premiere of All In: Comedy About Love will premiere on Broadway on December 11. All In will be performed with a rotating cast of actors. Meet the first cast members taking the stage in the show here!
Meet the Cast of OUR TOWN, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of OUR TOWN, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2024

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town will begin previews on Tuesday, September 17 ahead of an opening on Thursday, October 10 at the Barrymore Theatre for a strictly limited engagement. Meet the cast of Our Town here!
Cynthia Erivo Joins Peacock's POKER FACE Season 2 Photo
Cynthia Erivo Joins Peacock's POKER FACE Season 2
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 5, 2024

Cynthia Erivo, the Tony Award winner and star of the upcoming Wicked movie, will guest star in the second season of Peacock's Poker Face. Other guest stars for the upcoming season include Margo Martindale, BJ Novak, Giancarlo Esposito, and Katie Holmes.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 16, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 16, 2024
by - Apr 16, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 16, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Meet the Cast of MOTHER PLAY, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of MOTHER PLAY, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2024

Second Stage Theater's Mother Play will begin previews on Broadway tonight, April 3. Meet the cast of Mother Play here!
Photos: Hugh Jackman and More Attend ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE Photo
Photos: Hugh Jackman and More Attend ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 26, 2024

The second and final performance of Alan Cumming is Not Acting His Age took place on March 25. Special guests at the performance included Hugh Jackman, Darren Criss, Julianna Margulies, and more. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!
Kevin Hart & Woody Harrelson Star in THE MAN FROM TORONTO Released on Blu-ray, DVD & Photo
Kevin Hart & Woody Harrelson Star in THE MAN FROM TORONTO Released on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital
by Michael Major - Jun 13, 2023

Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson star in the explosive comedy with wall-to-wall action THE MAN FROM TORONTO, available now on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. THE MAN FROM TORONTO is an explosive comedy with wall-to-wall action.
Video: Watch THE OUT-LAWS Trailer Starring Adam Devine, Ellen Barkin, Pierce Brosnan Photo
Video: Watch THE OUT-LAWS Trailer Starring Adam Devine, Ellen Barkin, Pierce Brosnan & More
by Michael Major - Jun 5, 2023

The cast includes Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Poorna Jagannathan, Julie Hagerty, Richard Kind, Lil Rel Howery, Blake Anderson, Lauren Lapkus, Laci Mosley, with Ellen Barkin and Pierce Brosnan. Watch the video trailer for the new film now!
Peacock Renews POKER FACE For Season Two Photo
Peacock Renews POKER FACE For Season Two
by Michael Major - Feb 15, 2023

POKER FACE has been renewed for a second season. POKER FACE is T-Street's two-time Academy Award nominee Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman’s first television series and is produced by MRC Television, along with multiple Emmy nominated executive producer and star Natasha Lyonne, under her production banner Animal Pictures.
Peacock Launches POKER FACE 1-866-NOBLSHT Hotline Photo
Peacock Launches POKER FACE 1-866-NOBLSHT Hotline
by Michael Major - Jan 24, 2023

Now until February 19, Peacock's BS Hotline is now available! Charlie Cale is so good at calling out BS, Peacock created a hotline meant to showcase her talents. Call 1-866-NOBLSHT. Users can call or text the hotline to hear the instantly recognizable voice of Natasha Lyonne providing advise as Charlie Cale.
VIDEO: Natasha Lyonne Stars In Rian Johnson's POKER FACE Series Trailer Photo
VIDEO: Natasha Lyonne Stars In Rian Johnson's POKER FACE Series Trailer
by Michael Major - Jan 5, 2023

The 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series marks the television debut for the brilliant Rian Johnson (Glass Onion, Knives Out, Star Wars) and is executive produced by and stars Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll, Orange Is The New Black). Watch the new video trailer for the upcoming series now!
Photos: On the Red Carpet for Opening Night of WALKING WITH GHOSTS Photo
Photos: On the Red Carpet for Opening Night of WALKING WITH GHOSTS
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 28, 2022

Gabriel Byrne officially opened in his acclaimed solo show, Walking with Ghosts, on Broadway. This adaptation from his best-selling memoir of the same name is directed by Lonny Price and is currently playing at the Music Box Theatre for 75 performances only. Check out photos from the red carpet here!
VIDEO: First Look at Peacock's POKER FACE from Rian Johnson Starring Natasha Lyonne Photo
VIDEO: First Look at Peacock's POKER FACE from Rian Johnson Starring Natasha Lyonne
by Michael Major - Oct 26, 2022

Poker Face is a 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series following Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve. Watch the video trailer now!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ellen Barkin been in?

Ellen Barkin has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Ellen Barkin been in?

Ellen Barkin has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Ellen Barkin been nominated for?

Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The Normal Heart and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Normal Heart.

What awards has Ellen Barkin won?

Ellen Barkin has won a Theatre World Award for her performance in The Normal Heart. She is also a recipient of the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in The Cocktail Hour. Additionally, Barkin won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her work in Before Women Had Wings. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in Sea of Love and received a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in This Boy's Life.

News Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BroadwayWorld TV

View all Videos

Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $95
More Hot Shows Discounts
Recommended For You