Ellen Burstyn, a talented actress of Irish, French/French-Canadian, Pennsylvania Dutch (German),and Native American ancestry, was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Correine Marie (Hamel) and John Austin Gillooly. Prior to pursuing a career in acting, she worked a variety of jobs, including serving as a short-order cook at a lunch counter at the age of 14.
After graduating from Detroit's Cass Technical High School, Burstyn moved to Texas to model, then to New York City, where she became a showgirl on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1952. She later relocated to Montreal, where she worked as a nightclub dancer, and subsequently made her Broadway debut in the play "Fair Game" in 1957.
By the early 1960s, Burstyn had begun to make a name for herself on television, appearing on the series The Doctors in 1963. However, it was her role in the 1964 film Goodbye Charlie that truly brought her to the attention of audiences and critics alike.
Taking a hiatus from acting, Burstyn went on to study with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, honing her craft and preparing for her next big break. That opportunity arrived when she was cast as the female lead in The Last Picture Show in 1971, earning her nominations for both the Golden Globe and Academy Award.
Burstyn's subsequent roles in The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) and The Exorcist (1973) further solidified her status as a talented and versatile actress, earning her additional nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Award. In 1974, she won the Oscar and BAFTA awards for Best Actress for her performance in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, although she lost the Golden Globe to Marsha Mason.
In addition to her film work, Burstyn also made history by winning a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway play "Same Time, Next Year" in 1974. She went on to star in the film versions of Same Time, Next Year (1978) and Resurrection (1980),earning praise and award nominations for her performances.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Burstyn continued to work in film and television, appearing in a succession of TV movies and series, including The Ellen Burstyn Show. She also starred in a number of films during this period, including The Cemetery Club (1993),How to Make an American Quilt (1995),The Baby-Sitters Club (1995),and The Spitfire Grill (1996).
In addition to her acting career, Burstyn has also been a dedicated advocate for the arts, serving as the first woman president of Actor's Equity from 1982 to 1985.
