Ellen Burstyn - Details

Biography

Ellen BurstynEllen Burstyn's work in several classic films of the 1970s has earned her a lasting place in American cinema. In June 2000, she became co-president of the legendary Actors Studio, sharing leadership duties with Al Pacino and Harvey Keitel.

A native of Detroit, Burstyn worked at many odd jobs before turning her attention to acting in the late 1950s. She made her Broadway debut in 1957 with Fair Game, and guest-starred on several television programs during the 1950s and 60s. She also had a recurring role on the series "The Doctors." After earning notice for the 1964 film Goodbye Charlie, Burstyn took time off to study with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

In 1970, Burstyn got her breakthrough role with Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show; her performance earned her the New York and National Film Critics Awards in addition to Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations. She went on to give memorable performances in Bob Rafelson's The King of Marvin Gardens, Paul Mazursky's Harry and Tonto and William Friedkin's The Exorcist, which brought her Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress.

In 1975, Burstyn became the first actress in history to win an Academy Award® and a Tony Award in the same year when she was recognized for her roles in the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and the play Same Time Next Year. She also received Britain's BAFTA Award for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Burstyn earned praise and two more Academy Award® nominations for her work in the 1978 film adaptation of Same Time Next Year and 1980's Resurrection, and won a Golden Globe Award for the former film.

Other credits include The Spitfire Grill, How to Make an American Quilt, The Baby-Sitters Club, When a Man Loves a Woman, Dying Young, The Cemetery Club and Providence. Among her recent credits are Walking Across Egypt and Playing by Heart. Burstyn will next be seen in Yards, The (2000) co-starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, James Caan and Faye Dunaway. She is also starring in the new CBS television series "That's Life."

During the 1980s, Burstyn acted in numerous television movies and earned Emmy nominations for The People vs. Jean Harris and Pack of Lies. In 1986, she starred in her own television series "The Ellen Burstyn Show." Recently, she appeared in the acclaimed television film Night Ride Home.

She remains active in theatre, with recent credits including Shirley Valentine, Shimada, Sacrilege and Long Day's Journey Into Night. In addition to her acting, Burstyn was the first woman president of Actor's Equity, the actor's union, from 1982 to 1985.

Events

  • 7th December 1932 - Birth