Ellen Burstyn
Date of Birth: December 07, 1932 (93)
Birth Place: USA
Latest News on Ellen Burstyn:
BIO
Ellen Burstyn made her Broadway debut in 1957 and joined the Actors Studio in 1967. During the late 1950s and 1960s, she appeared in guest roles on television series including Dr. Kildare, 77 Sunset Strip, Ben Casey, Perry Mason, Cheyenne, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, The Virginian, Laramie and The Time Tunnel. In 1970, she appeared in Tropic of Cancer. She won a Tony Award in 1975 for Same Time, Next Year, reprising the role in the 1978 film adaptation.
Burstyn gained recognition for The Last Picture Show in 1971 and appeared in The King of Marvin Gardens in 1972. She starred as Chris MacNeil in The Exorcist in 1973, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In 1974, she appeared in Harry and Tonto and starred in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her other 1970s films included Providence (1977), A Dream of Passion (1978) and Same Time, Next Year (1978), for which she received another Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe.
In 1980, Burstyn starred in Resurrection and hosted Saturday Night Live. She starred in the television film The People vs. Jean Harris in 1981 and appeared in the television films The Ambassador (1984), Surviving (1985), Into Thin Air (1985), Act of Vengeance (1986), Something in Common (1986) and Pack of Lies (1987). Her other film work during the decade included Twice in a Lifetime (1985) and Hanna's War (1987). In 1986, she starred in the television sitcom The Ellen Burstyn Show.
During the 1990s, Burstyn appeared in When You Remember Me (1990), Dying Young (1991), Grand Isle (1991), When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), Roommates (1995), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), The Spitfire Grill (1996), Deceiver (1997) and Playing by Heart (1998). She later appeared in The Yards (2000). She also continued working in television and theater during this period.
In 2000, Burstyn starred in Requiem for a Dream, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. From 2000 to 2002, she starred in the television series That's Life. Her subsequent credits included Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), Brush with Fate (2003), The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2004), The Elephant King (2006), The Fountain (2006), The Wicker Man (2006), The Stone Angel (2007), Lovely, Still (2008), The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008) and W. (2008). She also appeared in the television series The Book of Daniel (2006) and had a recurring role on Big Love from 2007 to 2011. In 2008, she appeared off-Broadway in The Little Flower of East Orange. In 2009, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Burstyn's 2010s credits included Main Street (2010), Another Happy Day (2011), The Mighty Macs (2011), Political Animals (2012), Wish You Well (2013), Interstellar (2014), Louie (2014), The Calling (2014), Flowers in the Attic (2014), The Age of Adaline (2015), House of Cards (2016), Custody (2016), The House of Tomorrow (2017), All I Wish (2017), Nostalgia (2018), The Tale (2018), American Woman (2019) and Lucy in the Sky (2019). She also appeared onstage in 33 Variations in Australia in 2019.
In 2020, Burstyn appeared in Pieces of a Woman. In 2021, she returned as Bernadette Stabler in Law & Order: Organized Crime and portrayed Sara Roosevelt in The First Lady. In 2023, she reprised her role as Chris MacNeil in The Exorcist: Believer. In 2024, she appeared in the documentary Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist.
Photos
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn at the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at the U
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn attend the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at t
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
STAGE CREDITS
See how Ellen Burstyn connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Ellen Burstyn from another Broadway star or creative.
Ellen Burstyn
Connection
Movies
[ 1958 ] Elizabeth
[ 1963 ] Ellen
[ 1964 ] Dr. Pauline Swenson
[ 1964 ] Franny Saltzmann
[ 1969 ] Ellen McCleod
[ 1970 ] Beth Morrison
[ 1970 ] Mona Miller
[ 1971 ] Lois Farrow
[ 1972 ] Sally
[ 1973 ] Chris MacNeil
[ 1974 ] Alice Hyatt
[ 1974 ] Shirley
[ 1974 ] Lynne Evers
[ 1977 ] Sonia Langham
[ 1978 ] Brenda Collins
[ 1978 ] Doris
[ 1980 ] Edna
[ 1981 ] Olive Frederickson
[ 1981 ] Jean Harris
[ 1984 ] Alex
[ 1985 ] Joan Walker
[ 1985 ] Tina Brogan
[ 1985 ] Kate MacKenzie
[ 1986 ] Margaret Yablonski
[ 1986 ] Lynn Hollander
[ 1987 ] Mary Todd Lincoln
[ 1987 ] Barbara Jackson
[ 1988 ] Katalin
[ 1990 ] Kate O'Rielly
[ 1990 ] Nurse Cooder
[ 1991 ] Mrs. O'Neil
[ 1991 ] Mademoiselle Reisz
[ 1991 ] Lillian 'Lil' Lambert
[ 1992 ] Wilma
[ 1993 ] Joan Delvecchio
[ 1993 ] Esther Moskowitz
[ 1994 ] Jo Giacalone
[ 1994 ] Arlie's Mother
[ 1994 ] Frances Griffin
[ 1994 ] Emily
[ 1995 ] Gretel
[ 1995 ] Hy
[ 1995 ] Helen
[ 1995 ] Judith
[ 1995 ] Mrs. Haberman
[ 1996 ] Mary Davis
[ 1996 ] Iva Mae
[ 1996 ] Hannah Ferguson
[ 1996 ] Maud Gannon
[ 1997 ] Yvette Watson
[ 1997 ] Mook
[ 1998 ] June Clatterbuck
[ 1998 ] Mildred
[ 1998 ] Shirley Cooperberg
[ 1999 ] Maggie
[ 1999 ] Mattie Rigsbee
[ 2000 ] Trish
[ 2000 ] Sara Goldfarb
[ 2000 ] Val Handler
[ 2001 ] Mother
[ 2001 ] Joan Thomas
[ 2002 ] Vivi
[ 2003 ] Rika
[ 2004 ] Ruby
[ 2004 ] Tommie
[ 2005 ] Former Tarnower Steady
[ 2005 ] Mary Ryan
[ 2006 ] Maura
[ 2006 ] Diana (Mom)
[ 2006 ] Dr. Lillian Guzetti
[ 2006 ] Sister SummersIsle
[ 2007 ] Pauline (Posey) Benetto
[ 2007 ] Hagar
[ 2008 ] Mary Malone
[ 2008 ] Addie
[ 2008 ] Barbara Bush
[ 2009 ]
[ 2009 ] Katherine
[ 2009 ] Mother St. John
[ 2009 ] Swan - Voice
[ 2010 ] Georgiana Carr
[ 2011 ] Doris Baker
[ 2011 ] Nanette
[ 2013 ] Louisa Mae Cardinal
[ 2014 ] Barb Weaver
[ 2014 ] Murph (Older)
[ 2014 ] Eileen
[ 2014 ] Hathfertiti
[ 2014 ] Emily Micallef
[ 2014 ] Garnett's mother
[ 2014 ] Nan - Voice
[ 2015 ] Gram
[ 2015 ] Flemming
[ 2016 ] Beatrice Fisher
[ 2016 ] Nana
[ 2017 ] Celia
[ 2017 ] Josephine Prendergast
[ 2018 ] Helen
[ 2018 ] Nettie
[ 2019 ] Miss Dolly
[ 2019 ] Nana Holbrook
[ 2020 ] Elizabeth
[ 2021 ] Helen Wilson
[ 2022 ]
[ 2022 ] Valerie
[ 2023 ] Chris MacNeil
[ 2024 ] Narrator
[ 2025 ] Narrator (voice)
TV Shows
[ 1958 ] Linda
[ 1961 ] Emmy Mae
[ 1961 ] Anne Garner
[ 1961 ] Carol
[ 1961 ] Wandra Drake
[ 1961 ] Rose Maxon
[ 1961 ] Ann Walters
[ 1962 ] Connie, Dr. Leslie Fraser
[ 1962 ] Phyllis Dunning
[ 1962 ] Margo
[ 1962 ] Joan
[ 1962 ] Greta Dryden
[ 1962 ] Mona Winthrope White
[ 1962 ] Nora
[ 1962 ] Donna Whittaker
[ 1962 ] Dorothy Carter
[ 1961-1963 ] Sandra Keene, Betty Benson
[ 1963 ] Louise
[ 1963 ] Amy
[ 1963 ] Hilda Wesley
[ 1963 ] Ellen
[ 1963 ] Margaret Whitlow
[ 1964 ] Jenny
[ 1964 ] Barbara Sherwood, Lucille Benton
[ 1964 ] Susan Mason
[ 1964 ] Eva Laurelton
[ 1965 ] Maria Haviland
[ 1965 ] Dr. Kate Bartok
[ 1966 ] Eve Holland
[ 1967 ] Sister Jacob
[ 1967-1968 ] Julie Parsons
[ 1969 ] Janet
[ 1969 ] Kate Burden
[ 1962-1971 ] Amy Waters, Polly
[ 1972 ] Rachel Lambert
[ 1986 ] Ellen Brewer
[ 1986-1987 ] Ellen Brewer
[ 1997 ] Laura Strong
[ 1998 ] Veronica Steward
[ 2000-2002 ] Dolly DeLucca
[ 2006 ] Bishop Beatrice Congreve
[ 2008 ] Chris MacNeil
[ 2008 ] Bernie Stabler
[ 2007-2011 ] Nancy Davis Dutton
[ 2011 ] Chris MacNeil
[ 2012 ] Mrs. Emerson
[ 2012 ] Margaret Barrish
[ 2014 ] Evanka
[ 2014 ] Olivia Foxworth, Grandmother
[ 2015 ] Shirley
[ 2016 ] Elizabeth Hale
[ 2022 ] Sara Delano Roosevelt
[ 2021-2025 ] Bernadette Stabler
Awards and Nominations
Ellen Burstyn, The Little Flower of East Orange
winner
Ellen Burstyn, Same Time, Next Year
winner
Ellen Burstyn, Same Time, Next Year
winner
Ellen Burstyn, Same Time, Next Year
Videos
Video: Helen Mirren, David Hyde Pierce, and More in Trailer for THIS ORDINARY THING Doc
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-10 11:08:01
Video: Watch Leslie Odom, Jr. in New THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER Trailer With Norbert Leo Butz, Jennifer Nettles & More
by Michael Major - 2023-09-05 12:42:28
Video: Watch Leslie Odom, Jr. in THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER Trailer With Norbert Leo Butz, Jennifer Nettles & More
by Michael Major - 2023-07-25 11:26:30
Video: Stars Walk the Red Carpet at A DOLL'S HOUSE Opening Night
by Red Carpet - 2023-03-15 13:43:34
Video: On the Red Carpet for Opening Night of BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
by Red Carpet - 2022-12-22 09:02:35
Broadway Rewind: Sebastian Stan & Maggie Grace Bring PICNIC Back to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-08-24 17:01:00
News
by Joshua Wright - Jul 27, 2026
Genesis and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal released first look images from Flesh Impact, a film marking Marilyn Monroe's centennial starring Ellen Burstyn and Dakota Johnson as two versions of the icon.
by Stephi Wild - May 22, 2026
Burning Coal Theatre Company's Second Stage Series will present three works by emerging artists — SHADOWS IN RED LIGHT, DANGER!, and DR. RIDE'S AMERICAN BEACH HOUSE — in repertory in Raleigh, NC.
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2026
Burning Coal Theatre Company will present WAIT TIL YOU SEE THIS! 2026, featuring three plays in repertory by emerging artists, including works by Roné Sargent, Lucius Robinson, and Liza Birkenmeier, at its Raleigh, NC venue.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 25, 2026
The Middletown Arts Center will soon present the seventh edition of The MAC ONE-ACTS Play-Reading Festival, featuring original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2026
Olly Alexander and Iz Hesketh will join Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry in a UK reading of Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, RIGHT BEFORE I GO, at London's Soho Theatre.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 9, 2026
The cast and crew of Law & Order recently gathered in New York to celebrate the show's 25th season with many Broadway alums in attendance, including Raúl Esparza, Corey Cott, Sam Waterston, and more. Check out photos from the event now.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2025
The Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center have announced the full lineup for the 35th annual New York Jewish Film Festival, returning to the Walter Reade Theater in Manhattan.
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 10, 2025
The official trailer has been released for This Ordinary Thing, a new documentary from Emmy-winning filmmaker Nick Davis featuring the voices of many stage alums like Helen Mirren, Joanna Gleason, Kelli O'Hara, David Hyde Pierce, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 30, 2025
Burning Coal Theatre Company will present Here in America (US Premiere), directed by Jerome Davis. Here in America follows four artists caught between political fear and personal conviction during two key moments in U.S. history.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 27, 2025
The Tank has added two more performances of Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, Right before I go. Seth Rudetsky and Christine Taylor will join the cast. Learn more!
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 30, 2025
June Squibb is a beloved actor with an incredibly long career—but does 96 make her the oldest actor to play Broadway in a regular production with 8 performances a week? According to our research, that is indeed the case!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 28, 2025
The Tank has revealed the casts for a limited four performance run of Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, Right before I go. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 29, 2025
The 2025 Tribeca Festival has revealed its lineup of talks, reunions, and retrospectives featuring groundbreaking artists, cultural icons, and unforgettable moments from cinema history.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2025
Playwright/Director, Stan Zimmerman has set his cast for a special one night performance of his suicide awareness play, Right Before I Go. Learn more about the show here!
by David Green - Mar 24, 2025
The legendary sex symbol Marlene Dietrich, celebrated for her groundbreaking performances in film and on stage, comes to life in DIETRICH, a one-woman play-with-music starring Cindy Marinangel. This production will take center stage at the Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs for two nights only, April 4 and 5, 2025.
by Kay Kudukis - Feb 18, 2025
DIETRICH, written by Willard Manus, starring Cindy Marinangel, Chicago Second City Conservatory graduate, directed by Glenda Morgan Brown and produced by Sea Angel Productions., LLC is based on a true story. Set in May 1960, the play takes place when the actress returned to the Berlin stage for the first time since fleeing the Hitler regime in the 1930’s. Inside her dressing room at the Tatania-Palast Theater, Dietrich weighs whether to go through with the live performance despite threats on her life by Nazi sympathizers who resented her for having spent much of World War II entertaining American soldiers on the front lines. To them, Dietrich is a turncoat; a traitor who deserves to be shot and killed on stage.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 23, 2024
The 2025 Virginia Thespian Festival will produce Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, Right Before I Go., as part of their All-State Experience. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2024
Compass Rose Theater has announced the cast and production team of its upcoming show, “Same Time Next Year,” by Bernard Slade.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2024
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is launching its Legacy Collection today, offering a comprehensive archive of interviews and materials celebrating the contributions of actors and performers in the entertainment industry. Learn more!
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 10, 2024
Compass Rose Theater in Annapolis has announced its 2024-25 season featuring award-winning productions like INTIMATE APPAREL, SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR, PROOF, and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Season subscriptions available until September 13, 2024.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ellen Burstyn has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.
Ellen Burstyn has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Ellen Burstyn's first West End show was The Children's Hour which opened in 2011
Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for The Little Flower of East Orange, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Same Time, Next Year, Best Ensemble Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Same Time, Next Year and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Same Time, Next Year.
Ellen Burstyn has won Outstanding Actress - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Same Time, Next Year and Best Ensemble Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Same Time, Next Year.
