Ellen Burstyn Biography: Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Husband, Movies & TV Shows

Edna Rae Gillooly, professionally known as Ellen Burstyn, is an acclaimed American actress celebrated for her powerful portrayals of complex women in film, television, and theater.

Her distinguished career spans over six decades, earning her the rare “Triple Crown of Acting”—an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Burstyn’s notable performances include roles in The Exorcist, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Requiem for a Dream, and the HBO series Big Love. Her enduring presence and versatility have solidified her status as a luminary in the performing arts.

Profile

• Full Name: Edna Rae Gillooly
• Stage Name: Ellen Burstyn
• Born: December 7, 1932
• Age: 92 years old
• Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.70 m
• Parents: John Austin Gillooly and Correine Marie Hamel
• Siblings: Steve Gillooly and Jack Gillooly
• Spouse: Neil Nephew (m. 1964–1972), Paul Roberts (m. 1958–1961), William Alexander (m. 1950–1957)
• Children: Jefferson Roberts
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $20 million

Early Life and Education

Edna Rae Gillooly was born on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to John Austin Gillooly and Correine Marie Hamel. She has two brothers, Steve and Jack Gillooly. Burstyn attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit but left before graduating.

She later studied acting under renowned teachers Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio and Stella Adler. Her heritage includes Irish, French-Canadian, Pennsylvania Dutch, and Native American ancestry. Her religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Ellen Burstyn began her acting career on Broadway in 1957 with the play Fair Game and joined the Actors Studio in 1967, where she studied under Lee Strasberg. She appeared in numerous television guest roles throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, initially credited as Ellen McRae before changing her surname to Burstyn.

Her early film work included Tropic of Cancer (1970) and a breakthrough supporting role in The Last Picture Show (1971), which earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Burstyn gained widespread acclaim for her role as Chris MacNeil in the horror classic The Exorcist (1973), followed by her Academy Award-winning performance as Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). That same year, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress for the Broadway play Same Time, Next Year (1975), a role she reprised in the 1978 film adaptation, earning another Oscar nomination.

These roles established her as a leading actress known for portraying complex, emotionally rich women.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Burstyn continued to work extensively in film, television, and theater. She received additional Oscar nominations for Resurrection (1980) and Requiem for a Dream (2000), and starred in films such as Harry and Tonto (1974), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002).

On stage, she performed in acclaimed productions including 84 Charing Cross Road and Shirley Valentine, and remained active in regional theater.

In television, Burstyn earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for guest and supporting roles in Law & Order: SVU (2009) and Political Animals (2013), among other nominations. Since 2000, she has served as co-president of the Actors Studio, contributing to actor training and development.

Social Media

• Twitter Handle: @BurstynEllen

Personal Life

Ellen Burstyn has been married three times. Her first marriage was to William Alexander, they married in 1950 and divorced in 1957, after her divorce she married to Paul Roberts, from 1958 to 1961. Her third marriage was to actor Neil Burstyn from 1964 until their divorce in 1972.

The couple adopted a son, Jefferson Roberts, in 1961. Burstyn has spoken openly about the challenges in her personal life, including her experiences with her marriages and her journey as a single mother. She currently resides in New York City and remains active in her profession.

Filmography

• The Last Picture Show (1971)
• The Exorcist (1973)
• Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
• Same Time, Next Year (1978)
• Resurrection (1980)
• Requiem for a Dream (2000)
• Big Love (2007–2011)
• Political Animals (2012)
• House of Cards (2016)

Net Worth

Ellen Burstyn’s estimated net worth is approximately $20 million. Her wealth primarily stems from her extensive work in film, television, and theater. Over the years, she has also earned income through teaching acting and publishing her memoir, contributing to her financial success.