Ellen Burstyn Net Worth: A Comprehensive Look at Her Career and Fortune

Introduction: The Enduring Legacy of Ellen Burstyn

Ellen Burstyn, born Edna Rae Gillooly, is a highly respected American actress celebrated for her captivating performances on both stage and screen. With a career spanning several decades, she has earned numerous accolades, solidifying her status as a true icon in the entertainment industry. This article delves into Ellen Burstyn’s net worth, exploring her career journey, notable achievements, and the financial success she has garnered throughout her illustrious career. We will also explore details regarding her personal life and real estate holdings.

Early Life and Education

Ellen Burstyn was born as Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the daughter of John and Correine Gillooly and had two brothers, Jack and Steve. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was raised by her mother and stepfather. Burstyn’s educational journey led her to Cass Technical High School, where she studied fashion illustration. However, she did not complete her senior year, as she dropped out before graduating.

Career Beginnings: From Dancer to Model

Following her departure from high school, Burstyn embarked on a career as a dancer, adopting the stage name Kerri Flynn. This experience provided her with early exposure to the world of performance. Subsequently, she transitioned into modeling, working in this field until the age of 23. During this time, she lived in Dallas, Texas, before eventually relocating to New York City, a move that would prove pivotal in shaping her future career.

Film Career: A Star on the Rise (Part 1)

Burstyn began her film career using the name Ellen McRae, appearing in the 1964 films “Goodbye Charlie” and “For Those Who Think Young.” Her early filmography also included roles in “Pit Stop,” “Alex in Wonderland,” and “Tropic of Cancer.” A significant breakthrough came in 1971 with her role in Peter Bogdanovich’s coming-of-age film “The Last Picture Show,” earning her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued to gain recognition for her performances, including “The Exorcist” in 1973. In 1974, Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s film, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”

Burstyn’s contributions to film continued, with a supporting role in “Harry and Tonto,” which won the Best Actor Academy Award for Art Carney. Further notable films in the 1970s included “Providence,” “A Dream of Passion,” and “Same Time, Next Year,” the latter being an adaptation of the play in which she also starred.

Film Career: Continued Success and Acclaim (Part 2)

The 1980s saw Burstyn starring in “Resurrection,” for which she received her fifth Academy Award nomination. Her film work continued with appearances in “Silence of the North,” “The Ambassador,” “Twice in a Lifetime,” and “Hanna’s War.” In the 1990s, Burstyn added to her extensive filmography with roles in films such as “Grand Isle,” “The Cemetery Club,” “How to Make an American Quilt,” “Roommates,” “The Spitfire Grill,” “You Can Thank Me Later,” and “Walking Across Egypt.”

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The new millennium brought another acclaimed performance for Burstyn in Darren Aronofsky’s psychological drama “Requiem for a Dream,” where she played Sara Goldfarb. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Further film appearances followed, with credits including “The Yards,” “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” Aronofsky’s “The Fountain,” “The Wicker Man,” “Lovely, Still,” “W.,” and “According to Greta.”

Burstyn continued working steadily throughout the 2010s, with notable credits including “Main Street,” “Another Happy Day,” “Interstellar,” “The Age of Adaline,” “Wiener-Dog,” “The House of Tomorrow,” “The Tale,” and “Lucy in the Sky.” In 2020, she earned critical praise for her role as the mother of Vanessa Kirby’s character in “Pieces of a Woman.” Her recent work includes “Queen Bees,” “Three Months,” and a series of new sequels to “The Exorcist.”

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Television Career: A Versatile Presence

Burstyn has also been prolific on television, appearing in numerous shows throughout her career. Early television appearances included episodes of “Dr. Kildare,” “Surfside 6,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Cheyenne,” “Gunsmoke,” “Bus Stop,” “Perry Mason,” “The Defenders,” “Wagon Train,” and “The Doctors.” During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, she predominantly featured in television films, such as “Thursday’s Game,” “The People vs. Jean Harris,” “Act of Vengeance,” “Pack of Lies,” “Trick of the Eye,” “Getting Gotti,” and “Flash.” Burstyn also starred in her own sitcom, “The Ellen Burstyn Show,” which aired on ABC from 1986 to 1987.

One of her longest-running roles was on the CBS series “That’s Life,” which ran from 2000 to 2002. During this period, she also starred in the television film “Mermaid.” She continued to appear in television films, including “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” “For One More Day,” and “Mrs. Harris,” which earned her an Emmy nomination. Burstyn also had a lead role on the short-lived NBC series “The Book of Daniel.” From 2007 to 2011, she played the recurring role of Nancy Davis Dutton on “Big Love,” receiving another Emmy nomination. She won her first Emmy Award for her guest appearance on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2008. She reprised that role in a recurring capacity on “Law & Order: Organized Crime” from 2021 to 2022. Among her other major credits, she had recurring roles on “Political Animals,” “House of Cards,” “Louie,” and “The First Lady,” and appeared in the Lifetime television films “Flowers in the Attic” and “Petals on the Wind.”

Theater Career: Broadway and Beyond

Burstyn made her Broadway debut in 1958 in the play “Fair Game.” She returned to Broadway in 1975, starring in “Same Time, Next Year” and winning a Tony Award for her performance. Over the decades, she has remained active in theater, with credits including “84 Charing Cross Road,” “Shirley Valentine,” “Sacrilege,” “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All,” and “Picnic.”

Personal Life: Relationships and Beliefs

Burstyn has been married and divorced multiple times. She was married to her first husband, William Alexander, from 1950 to 1957. After their divorce, she married Paul Roberts and had an adopted son, Jefferson. They also divorced. In 1964, she married actor Neil Nephew. Afflicted with schizophrenia and prone to violence, Nephew later died by suicide in 1978.

Despite her Catholic upbringing, Burstyn embraces Sufism, a spiritual practice. She has served as co-president of the Actors Studio since 2000, alongside Alec Baldwin and Al Pacino.

Real Estate: A Home in the Hudson Valley

Ellen Burstyn’s primary residence is a 3,000 square foot home in New York’s Hudson Valley region. She purchased the property in 1989 for $750,000 and reportedly invested several million dollars in renovations. Similar homes in this area typically sell for between $4 million and $5 million.

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Conclusion: Ellen Burstyn’s Net Worth and Enduring Impact

Ellen Burstyn’s net worth of $20 million is a testament to her enduring success and versatility in the entertainment industry. From her early roles to her recent projects, she has consistently delivered memorable performances that have resonated with audiences and critics alike. Her contributions to film, television, and theater have solidified her status as a highly respected and influential figure in the world of entertainment.