Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
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.
Acted in 143
2020s
- 2026
Place to Be
Brooke
- 2025
Duse, the Greatest
Movie
- 2024
E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump
E. Jean Carroll
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
Watch on the Rhine
Fanny
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
American Woman
Miss Dolly
- 2018
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
River of Fundament
Hathfertiti
- 2013
- 2012
Coma
Mrs. Emerson · 2 episodes
- 2011
- 2010
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
Miss Addie
- 2007
Mitch Albom's For One More Day
Pauline "Posey" Benetto
The Stone Angel
Hagar
- 2006
30 Days
Maura
The Elephant King
Diana Hunt
The Book of Daniel
Bishop Beatrice Congreve · 4 episodes
- 2005
Mrs. Harris
Former Tarnower Steady
Our Fathers
Mary Ryan
- 2004
The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel
Tommie
- 2003
Brush with Fate
Rika
- 2002
- 2001
Within These Walls
Joan Thomas
- 2000
Mermaid
Trish
1990s
- 1999
Walking Across Egypt
Mattie Rigsbee
Night Ride Home
Maggie
- 1998
A Will of their Own
Veronica Steward · 2 episodes
- 1997
Flash
Laura Strong
- 1996
Timepiece
Maud Gannon
- 1995
Follow The River
Gretel
- 1994
Trick of the Eye
Frances Griffin
Getting Out
Arlie's Mother
- 1993
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story
Joan Delvecchio
The Cemetery Club
Esther Moskowitz
- 1992
Earth and the American Dream
Reader (voice)
When It Was a Game 2
Passage Narrator (voice)
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story
Wilma
- 1991
Grand Isle
Mademoiselle Reisz
Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love
Lillian "Lil" Lambert
- 1990
When You Remember Me
Nurse Cooder
The Color of Evening
Kate O'Rielly
1980s
- 1988
- 1987
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Mrs. Stocks (voice)
Pack of Lies
Barbara Jackson
- 1986
Something in Common
Lynn Hollander
The Ellen Burstyn Show
Ellen Brewer · 13 episodes
Act of Vengeance
Margaret Yablonski
- 1985
Into Thin Air
Joan Walker
Twice in a Lifetime
Kate MacKenzie
Surviving
Tina Brogan
- 1981
Silence of the North
Olive Frederickson
People vs. Jean Harris
Jean Harris
- 1980
Resurrection
Edna
1970s
- 1978
A Dream of Passion
Brenda Collins
- 1977
Providence
Sonia Langham
- 1974
Harry and Tonto
Shirley
Thursday's Game
Lynne Evers
- 1973
- 1972
The King of Marvin Gardens
Sally
- 1971
- 1970
Alex in Wonderland
Beth Morrison
Tropic of Cancer
Mona (uncredited)
1960s
- 1969
- 1966
- 1965
- 1964
Goodbye Charlie
Franny Salzman
- 1963
- 1962
I'm Dickens, He's Fenster
Joan · 1 episode
- 1961
Ricochet
Rose Maxon
- 1960
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
- 1957
- 1955
- 1953
1940s
- 1948
Easy Out?
Mary
Produced 2
2010s
- 2019
2000s
- 2001
Within These Walls
Executive Producer
Appearances44
2020s
- 2025
This Ordinary Thing
Self (voice)
- 2024
Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist
Self
- 2022
Reframed: Marilyn Monroe
Self · 4 episodes
- 2021
Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes
Herself
- 2020
Delphine and Carole
Self (archive footage)
2010s
- 2019
Steven Arnold: Heavenly Bodies
Self
- 2018
- 2017
Marilyn Monroe: Auction of a Lifetime
Self
- 2015
- 2014
And the Oscar Goes To...
Self - Interviewee
- 2013
Love, Marilyn
Self
- 2010
Reflections of a Philosopher King
Self
BBStory: An American Film Renaissance
Self
2000s
- 2009
PoliWood
Self
- 2006
Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow
Self
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story
Self
- 2004
Second Chances: The Making of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
Self
- 2003
A Decade Under the Influence
Self
- 2001
Memories, Dreams & Addictions
Self
The Making of Requiem for a Dream
Self
1990s
- 1999
The Last Picture Show: A Look Back
Self
- 1998
Marilyn in Manhattan
Self
The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist
Self - Chris MacNeil
- 1997
- 1996
Didn't You Used to Be Satan?
Self
- 1994
Inside the Actors Studio
Self · 1 episode
- 1991
Picture This
Self
1980s
- 1988
Hello Actors Studio
Self
- 1985
Night of 100 Stars II
Self
- 1982
I Love Liberty
Self
Night of 100 Stars
Self
- 1981
Be Pretty and Shut Up!
Self
1970s
- 1975
- 1974
1950s
- 1956
- 1953
