Ellen Burstyn
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- December 7, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Active Years
- 1944–2025 (82 Years)
- Total Credits
- 211 credits in database
Acting Born Dec 7, 1932 Detroit, Michigan, USA 211 credits
Biography
Ellen Burstyn, born Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, is an American actress known for her portrayals of complex women in dramas. Also known as Ellen McRae and Edna Rae Gilhooley, she has 197 known acting credits. Burstyn has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award, making her one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting. She made her acting debut on Broadway in Fair Game in 1957, won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Same Time, Next Year in 1975, and earned the Academy Award for Best Actress as the widow Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese's romantic drama Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore in 1974.
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Career overview
Ellen Burstyn is an American actress born as Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan. Also known by the names Ellen McRae and Edna Rae Gilhooley, she is recognized for her portrayals of complex women in dramas. Her career spans numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. This collection of honors makes her one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting.
Burstyn made her acting debut on Broadway in Fair Game in 1957. She later won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Same Time, Next Year in 1975. In film, she earned the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the widow Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese's romantic drama Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, which was released in 1974.
Throughout her career in entertainment, Burstyn has accumulated 197 known credits in acting across movies and television shows.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Breakdown: 1975This Ordinary ThingDuse, the Greatest
Mother, CouchE. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. TrumpFear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist
The Exorcist: Believer
The First LadyReframed: Marilyn MonroeThree Months
Law & Order: Organized CrimeQueen BeesWatch on the RhinePaul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes
Pieces of a WomanDelphine and Carole
The Kelly Clarkson ShowThe House of TomorrowThe House of Tomorrow · Executive ProducerLucy in the SkyAmerican Woman
The TaleAll I WishFriedkin UncutNostalgia
Marilyn Monroe: Auction of a Lifetime
CustodyWiener-Dog
The Age of AdalineUnityAbout Scout
InterstellarFlowers in the AtticDraft DayPetals on the WindTwo Men in Town
MomHouse of CardsLove, MarilynWish You Well
Political AnimalsComaSomeday This Pain Will Be Useful to You
Another Happy DayThe Mighty Macs
Main StreetBBStory: An American Film RenaissanceAmerica Lost and Found: The BBS StoryReflections of a Philosopher King
Lovely, StillAccording to GretaThe Velveteen RabbitPoliWood
W.The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
The Stone AngelMitch Albom's For One More Day
Big LoveThe Wicker ManThe Fountain30 DaysThe Book of Daniel
Our Fathers
The Five People You Meet In HeavenSecond Chances: The Making of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel
A Decade Under the InfluenceEasy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved HollywoodBrush with Fate
Red DragonDivine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Within These WallsWithin These Walls · Executive ProducerMemories, Dreams & AddictionsThe Making of Requiem for a Dream
Requiem for a DreamThat's LifeThe YardsMermaid
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitWalking Across EgyptNight Ride HomeThe Last Picture Show: A Look Back
A Will of their OwnPlaying by HeartThe Patron Saint of LiarsMarilyn in ManhattanThe Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist
The ViewHARDtalkFlashDeceiverA Deadly Vision
The Rosie O'Donnell ShowThe Spitfire GrillTimepiece
Full Filmography
211 titles- Breakdown: 1975 (2025) as Self
- This Ordinary Thing (2025) as Self (voice)
- Duse, the Greatest (2025)
- Mother, Couch (2024) as Mother
- E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump (2024) as E. Jean Carroll
- Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist (2024) as Self
- The Exorcist: Believer (2023) as Chris MacNeil
- The First Lady (2022) as Sara Delano Roosevelt
- Reframed: Marilyn Monroe (2022) as Self
- Three Months (2022) as Valerie
- Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021) as Bernadette 'Bernie' Stabler
- Queen Bees (2021) as Helen Wilson
- Watch on the Rhine (2021) as Fanny
- Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes (2021) as Herself
- Pieces of a Woman (2020) as Elizabeth Weiss
- Delphine and Carole (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- The House of Tomorrow (2019) as Josephine Prendergast
- The House of Tomorrow (2019) Executive Producer
- Lucy in the Sky (2019) as Nana Holbrook
- American Woman (2019) as Miss Dolly
- Steven Arnold: Heavenly Bodies (2019) as Self
- The Tale (2018) as Nettie
- All I Wish (2018) as Celia Berges
- Friedkin Uncut (2018) as Self
- Nostalgia (2018) as Helen Greer
- Marilyn Monroe: Auction of a Lifetime (2017) as Self
- Custody (2016) as Beatrice Fisher
- Wiener-Dog (2016) as Nana
- The Age of Adaline (2015) as Flemming
- Unity (2015) as Narrator (voice)
- About Scout (2015) as Gram
- Interstellar (2014) as Murph (older)
- Flowers in the Attic (2014) as Grandmother
- Draft Day (2014) as Barb Weaver
- Petals on the Wind (2014) as Olivia Foxworth
- Two Men in Town (2014) as Mère Garnett
- And the Oscar Goes To... (2014) as Self - Interviewee
- River of Fundament (2014) as Hathfertiti
- The Calling (2014) as Emily Micallef
- Mom (2013) as Shirley
- House of Cards (2013) as Elizabeth Hale
- Love, Marilyn (2013) as Self
- Wish You Well (2013) as Louisa Mae Cardinal
- Political Animals (2012) as Margaret Barrish
- Coma (2012) as Mrs. Emerson
- Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You (2012) as Nanette
- Another Happy Day (2011) as Doris Baker
- The Mighty Macs (2011) as Mother St. John
- Main Street (2010) as Georgiana Carr
- BBStory: An American Film Renaissance (2010) as Self
- America Lost and Found: The BBS Story (2010) as Self
- Reflections of a Philosopher King (2010) as Self
- Lovely, Still (2009) as Mary
- According to Greta (2009) as Katherine
- The Velveteen Rabbit (2009) as Swan (voice)
- PoliWood (2009) as Self
- W. (2008) as Barbara Bush
- The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008) as Miss Addie
- The Stone Angel (2007) as Hagar
- Mitch Albom's For One More Day (2007) as Pauline "Posey" Benetto
- Big Love (2006) as Nancy Davis Dutton
- The Wicker Man (2006) as Sister Summersisle
- The Fountain (2006) as Dr. Lillian Guzetti
- 30 Days (2006) as Maura
- The Book of Daniel (2006) as Bishop Beatrice Congreve
- The Elephant King (2006) as Diana Hunt
- Mrs. Harris (2006) as Former Tarnower Steady
- Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) as Self
- Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow (2006) as Self
- Our Fathers (2005) as Mary Ryan
- The Five People You Meet In Heaven (2004) as Ruby
- Second Chances: The Making of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (2004) as Self
- The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel (2004) as Tommie
- A Decade Under the Influence (2003) as Self
- Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003) as Self
- Brush with Fate (2003) as Rika
- Red Dragon (2002) as Grandma Dolarhyde (voice) (uncredited)
- Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) as Vivi
- Within These Walls (2001) as Joan Thomas
- Within These Walls (2001) Executive Producer
- Memories, Dreams & Addictions (2001) as Self
- The Making of Requiem for a Dream (2001) as Self
- Requiem for a Dream (2000) as Sara Goldfarb
- That's Life (2000) as Dolly DeLucca
- The Yards (2000) as Val Handler
- Mermaid (2000) as Trish
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Bernie Stabler
- Walking Across Egypt (1999) as Mattie Rigsbee
- Night Ride Home (1999) as Maggie
- The Last Picture Show: A Look Back (1999) as Self
- A Will of their Own (1998) as Veronica Steward
- Playing by Heart (1998) as Mildred
- The Patron Saint of Liars (1998) as June Clatterbuck
- Marilyn in Manhattan (1998) as Self
- The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist (1998) as Self - Chris MacNeil
- You Can Thank Me Later (1998) as Shirley Cooperberg
- The View (1997) as Self
- HARDtalk (1997)
- Flash (1997) as Laura Strong
- Deceiver (1997) as Mook
- A Deadly Vision (1997) as Yvette Watson
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- The Spitfire Grill (1996) as Hannah Ferguson
- Timepiece (1996) as Maud Gannon
- How to Make an American Quilt (1995) as Hy Dodd
- The Baby-Sitters Club (1995) as Mrs. Haberman
- Roommates (1995) as Judith
- Follow The River (1995) as Gretel
- My Brother's Keeper (1995) as Helen
- When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) as Emily
- Getting Gotti (1994) as Jo Giacalone
- Trick of the Eye (1994) as Frances Griffin
- Getting Out (1994) as Arlie's Mother
- Inside the Actors Studio (1994) as Self
- The Cemetery Club (1993) as Esther Moskowitz
- Roots of Roe (1993) as Narrator (voice)
- Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story (1993) as Joan Delvecchio
- When It Was a Game 2 (1992) as Passage Narrator (voice)
- Earth and the American Dream (1992) as Reader (voice)
- Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story (1992) as Wilma
- Dying Young (1991) as Mrs. O'Neil
- Picture This (1991) as Self
- Grand Isle (1991) as Mademoiselle Reisz
- Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love (1991) as Lillian "Lil" Lambert
- When You Remember Me (1990) as Nurse Cooder
- The Color of Evening (1990) as Kate O'Rielly
- Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre (1989) as Self
- American Experience (1988) as Narrator (voice)
- Hello Actors Studio (1988) as Self
- Hanna's War (1988) as Katalin
- Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (1987) as Mrs. Stocks (voice)
- Pack of Lies (1987) as Barbara Jackson
- Act of Vengeance (1986) as Margaret Yablonski
- Something in Common (1986) as Lynn Hollander
- The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986) as Ellen Brewer
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- Twice in a Lifetime (1985) as Kate MacKenzie
- Into Thin Air (1985) as Joan Walker
- The Ambassador (1985) as Alex Hacker
- Surviving (1985) as Tina Brogan
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- I Love Liberty (1982) as Self
- People vs. Jean Harris (1981) as Jean Harris
- Be Pretty and Shut Up! (1981) as Self
- Silence of the North (1981) as Olive Frederickson
- Resurrection (1980) as Edna
- Same Time, Next Year (1978) as Doris
- A Dream of Passion (1978) as Brenda Collins
- Providence (1977) as Sonia Langham
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) as Alice Hyatt
- Thursday's Game (1974) as Lynne Evers
- Harry and Tonto (1974) as Shirley Mallard
- The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute (1974) as Self (archive footage)
- The Exorcist (1973) as Chris MacNeil
- The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) as Sally
- The Last Picture Show (1971) as Lois Farrow
- Alex in Wonderland (1970) as Beth Morrison
- Tropic of Cancer (1970) as Mona (uncredited)
- Pit Stop (1969) as Ellen McCleod
- The Time Tunnel (1966) as Eve Holland
- The Big Valley (1965) as Sister Sarah Jacob
- Goodbye Charlie (1964) as Franny Salzman
- For Those Who Think Young (1964) as Dr. Pauline Swenson
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Eva Laurelton
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963) as Barbara Sherwood / Lucille Benton
- Vacation Playhouse (1963) as Ellen
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963) as Susan Mason
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Virginian (1962) as Kate Burden
- Going My Way (1962) as Louise
- I'm Dickens, He's Fenster (1962) as Joan
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Anne Garner
- The Defenders (1961) as Hilda Wesley
- Ben Casey (1961) as Dr. Leslie Fraser
- Ben Casey (1961) as Connie
- Kraft Mystery Theatre (1961) as Greta Dryden
- Bus Stop (1961) as Phyllis Dunning
- Ricochet (1961) as Rose Maxon
- Surfside 6 (1960) as Wandra Drake
- Checkmate (1960) as Margo as Ellen McRae
- The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959) as Donna Whittaker
- The Detectives (1959) as Nora
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Betty Benson
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Sandra Keene
- The Christmas Tree (1958) as Elizabeth
- Perry Mason (1957) as Mona Winthrope White
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Winner
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host/Presenter
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Audience Member
- Cheyenne (1955) as Emmy Mae
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Polly
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Amy Waters
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Ann Walters
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Elizabeth
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Barbara Jackson
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Maggie
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Rika
- Easy Out? (1948) as Mary
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Bathing Flo
- Bathing Flo Director
- Place to Be as Brooke
- Flesh Impact as Marilyn Monroe
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ellen Burstyn best known for?
Ellen Burstyn is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Exorcist: Believer (2023), The First Lady (2022), Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021), Queen Bees (2021).
When and where was Ellen Burstyn born?
Ellen Burstyn was born on December 7, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
How many credits does Ellen Burstyn have?
Ellen Burstyn has accumulated over 211 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is Ellen Burstyn's background in cinema and television?
Ellen Burstyn, born Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, is an American actress known for her portrayals of complex women in dramas. Also known as Ellen McRae and Edna Rae Gilhooley, she has 197 known acting credits. Burstyn has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Awa...
Ellen Burstyn by the numbers
211credits
150films
61TV series
1944–2025active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Elizabeth — aged about 18
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Barbara Jackson — aged about 18
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Maggie — aged about 18
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Rika — aged about 18
- HARDtalk (1997) — aged about 64
- Interstellar (2014) as Murph (older) — aged about 81
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