Ellen Burstyn - Actor Profile

Ellen Burstyn

Acting
Updated: May 08, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 7, 1932
Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA

About Ellen Burstyn

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.

Ellen Burstyn Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ellen Burstyn reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ellen Burstyn's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of Ellen Burstyn's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Second Chances, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ellen Burstyn Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ellen Burstyn's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ellen Burstyn has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Breakdown: 1975 Self Hit Similar →
2022 Three Months Valerie Hit Similar →
2021 Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes Herself Super Hit Similar →
2020 Pieces of a Woman Elizabeth Weiss Hit Similar →
2019 The House of Tomorrow Josephine Prendergast Hit Similar →
2018 Friedkin Uncut Self Hit Similar →
2018 The Tale Nettie Hit Similar →
2016 Custody Beatrice Fisher Hit Similar →
2015 Unity Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2015 The Age of Adaline Flemming Super Hit Similar →
2014 Interstellar Murph (older) Super Hit Similar →
2014 Draft Day Barb Weaver Hit Similar →
2014 And the Oscar Goes To... Self - Interviewee Hit Similar →
2014 Flowers in the Attic Grandmother Hit Similar →
2006 The Fountain Dr. Lillian Guzetti Hit Similar →
2006 Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow Self Hit Similar →
2006 Stardust: The Bette Davis Story Self Hit Similar →
2004 The Five People You Meet In Heaven Ruby Hit Similar →
2004 Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Second Chances Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 A Decade Under the Influence Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood Self Hit Similar →
2002 Red Dragon Grandma Dolarhyde (voice) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
2001 Memories, Dreams & Addictions Self Hit Similar →
2000 Requiem for a Dream Sara Goldfarb Super Hit Similar →
2000 Mermaid Trish Hit Similar →
1999 The Last Picture Show: A Look Back Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 Marilyn in Manhattan Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist Self - Chris MacNeil Hit Similar →
1997 Flash Laura Strong Super Hit Similar →
1996 Timepiece Maud Gannon Hit Similar →
1995 Follow The River Gretel Hit Similar →
1993 Roots of Roe Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1992 When It Was a Game 2 Passage Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1992 Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story Wilma Super Hit Similar →
1991 Picture This Self Super Hit Similar →
1991 Dying Young Mrs. O'Neil Hit Similar →
1988 Hello Actors Studio Self Hit Similar →
1987 Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam Mrs. Stocks (voice) Hit Similar →
1987 Pack of Lies Barbara Jackson Hit Similar →
1985 Into Thin Air Joan Walker Hit Similar →
1985 Night of 100 Stars II Self Super Hit Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1981 Silence of the North Olive Frederickson Hit Similar →
1977 Providence Sonia Langham Hit Similar →
1974 Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore Alice Hyatt Hit Similar →
1974 Harry and Tonto Shirley Mallard Hit Similar →
1974 The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1973 The Exorcist Chris MacNeil Super Hit Similar →
1971 The Last Picture Show Lois Farrow Super Hit Similar →
1969 Pit Stop Ellen McCleod Hit Similar →

Ellen Burstyn - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ellen Burstyn?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ellen Burstyn is "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Second Chances" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Ellen Burstyn acted in?

Ellen Burstyn has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ellen Burstyn?

Other notable films include "Picture This", "When It Was a Game 2", and "Interstellar".

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