Burstyn was born Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, the daughter of Correine Marie (née Hamel) and John Austin Gillooly.[1] She says her ancestry is "Irish, French, Pennsylvania Dutch, a little Canadian Indian".[2][3] Burstyn has an older brother, Jack, and a younger brother, Steve.[1][4] Her parents divorced when she was young, and she and her brothers lived with their mother and stepfather.[1]
Burstyn attendedCass Technical High School, a university-preparatory school that allowed students to choose a specific field of study. Burstyn majored in fashion illustration.[5] In high school she was a cheerleader, a member of the student council, and president of her drama club. She dropped out of high school during her senior year after failing her classes.[6][7] Soon afterward, Burstyn worked as a dancer using the name Kerri Flynn, and then a model until the age of 23.[8] She later moved toDallas, where she continued modeling and worked in other fashion jobs before moving to New York City.[9]
From 1955 to 1956, Burstyn appeared as an "away we go" dancing girl onThe Jackie Gleason Show under the name Erica Dean.[10] Burstyn then decided to become an actress and chose the name "Ellen McRae" as her professional name; she later changed her surname after her 1964 marriage toNeil Burstyn.[11]
After many small film roles, Burstyn gained recognition after starring inThe Last Picture Show (1971), acoming-of-age story, directed byPeter Bogdanovich and adapted from a semi-autobiographical 1966 novel byLarry McMurtry. The film received critical acclaim for its nostalgia and visual style that is reminiscent of 1951, the year in which the plot takes place.[15] The film was nominated for eightAcademy Awards, includingBest Supporting Actress for Burstyn and her co-starCloris Leachman, with the latter winning the award.[8] In 1998, the film was selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registry, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[16] Next she appeared in the dramaThe King of Marvin Gardens in 1972, withJack Nicholson,Bruce Dern, andScatman Crothers. A story about a daydreamer who convinces his brother to help fund a get-rich-quick scheme, the film was well received by critics.[17]
Burstyn and Blair inThe Exorcist (1973)
In 1972, Burstyn sought the lead role of Chris MacNeil in the supernatural horror filmThe Exorcist (1973). The film studio was initially reluctant to cast her, but when no other actors were put forward, Burstyn was chosen for the part. Her co-stars wereMax von Sydow,Lee J. Cobb,Kitty Winn,Jack MacGowran,Jason Miller, andLinda Blair.The Exorcist had a production budget of $12 million, and itsprincipal photography was held in various parts of New York City. Filming proved to be challenging for the entire cast; it took "six-day weeks, twelve-hour days for nine months" to film, and directorWilliam Friedkin used aprop gun to get genuine reactions from the cast.[8][18] Burstyn also injured hercoccyx, which led to permanent injury to her spine.[19] Film criticRoger Ebert praised Burstyn for her ability to capture MacNeil's "frustration" when her daughter is possessed by an evil spirit.[20] Against expectations,The Exorcist was a major commercial success at the box-office. Adjusted for inflation, the film is theninth highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S. and Canada and the top-grossing R-rated film of all time. It won two Academy Awards –Best Adapted Screenplay andBest Sound Mixing, and earned Burstyn her first nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Actress.[21][22]
Burstyn followed up with a small role in the comedy-dramaHarry and Tonto (1974). Her next major role was inMartin Scorsese's romantic dramaAlice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) where she played a widowed woman, raising a son and yearning to start a new life for herself as a singer. She was drawn to the script because of the character's resemblance to her own life.[23] Burstyn was also inspired by the works ofBetty Friedan andGloria Steinem, who found that women were searching to "redefine their roles in society".[23] Burstyn was offered to direct but turned it down to concentrate on her performance, but selected then-newcomer Scorsese as director and recalled the collaboration as "one of the best experiences I've ever had".[8][23][24]Vincent Canby ofThe New York Times wrote, "Burstyn never misses the eccentric beat that distinguishes it—that makes Alice such a hugely appealing character who is both banal and very rare".[25] Her performance in the film earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.[26] In 1975, she became a graduate of the first group of participants in theAmerican Film InstituteDirecting Workshop for Women. In 1977, she served as a member of the jury at the27th Berlin International Film Festival.[27]
In the mid-1980s, Burstyn starred in several television films, includingThe Ambassador (1984),Surviving (1985),Into Thin Air (1985),Act of Vengeance (1986),Something in Common (1986) and a 1987 adaptation of the playPack of Lies, which was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including another for Burstyn as Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie.[38] For the theatrical releaseTwice in a Lifetime (1985), co-starringGene Hackman andAnn-Margret, she portrayed Kate, the wife whom Hackman's character divorces when he falls in love with another woman.
In 1998, Burstyn appeared inPlaying by Heart, with co-stars includingSean Connery andAngelina Jolie, a story of eleven ordinary people in Los Angeles who are connected in different ways. Some critics such as Roger Ebert viewed the film positively despite its lackluster performance at the box office.[46][47] Burstyn next found supporting roles inThe Spitfire Grill (1996), about a woman starting a new life after being released from prison, andDeceiver (1997), a murder crime drama. Although not box office hits, each film garnered mixed to positive responses, according to film review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes.[48][49] Next, she appeared inJames Gray'sThe Yards (2000) alongside a principal cast ofMark Wahlberg,Joaquin Phoenix,Charlize Theron,Faye Dunaway andJames Caan. The crime drama was unpopular and a commercial failure, earning less than $1 million worldwide from a budget of $24 million.[50][51]
In 1999, directorDarren Aronofsky offered Burstyn the role of Sara Goldfarb in the psychological dramaRequiem for a Dream (2000). She initially rejected the part, objecting to the depressive nature of the story; however, she changed her mind after seeing Aronofsky's previous work.[51] The film is based on the novel of thesame name byHubert Selby Jr, which tells the story of four New Yorkers whose lives are affected bydrug addictions. To prepare for the role, Burstyn had to research troubled women in Brooklyn, "to get their speech patterns and outlook on life—and how narrow that is [...] their life is about getting enough money to put food on the table to feed their children, and that's it".[52] She had to wearfat suits and lose about 10-pounds (4½ kg) to showcase her character's weight-loss.[52][53] Burstyn and her co-starsJennifer Connelly,Jared Leto, andMarlon Wayans, found the filming schedule of forty days challenging and intense.[54]Requiem for a Dream premiered at the2000 Cannes Film Festival and was released to theaters on October 6, 2000. The film was well received and praised for its visual style and depiction of drug abuse.Peter Travers ofRolling Stone writes, "Burstyn gives an award-caliber performance that is as raw and riveting as the movie that contains it".[55] Burstyn's performance earned her a fifth nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.[56]
From 2000 to 2002, Burstyn starred in theCBS television seriesThat's Life. The series, set in suburbanNew Jersey, ran for two seasons. Burstyn appeared in several more films, includingDivine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002),Brush with Fate (2003) andThe Five People You Meet in Heaven (2004). Burstyn starred in theBroadway production of Martin Tahse'sOldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, based uponthe novel of the same title byAllan Gurganus. The show played 19 previews and officially opened November 17, 2003. Due to unfavorable reviews, all performances after the opening night were cancelled.[57]
She provided a supporting role as the mother of two sons in the 2006 romantic dramaThe Elephant King. The film originally premiered at the2006 Tribeca Film Festival, and opened in U.S. theaters October 2008.[58] In January 2006, she starred as anEpiscopal bishop in theNBC comedy-drama seriesThe Book of Daniel. The series, which also starredAidan Quinn as a drug-addicted Episcopal priest married to an alcoholic wife, was met with controversy from religious and spiritual leaders due to its unconventional portrayals of religious figures.[59] Conservative groups includingAmerican Family Association andFocus on the Family urged supporters to complain to NBC affiliates that carried the show. NBC removed the series from its line-up after four episodes, but did not publicly provide a reason.[60]
In 2006, Burstyn appeared in the epic dramaThe Fountain, her second collaboration with Darren Aronofsky. Portraying Dr. Lillian Guzetti, the film is about a scientist (played byHugh Jackman) struggling with mortality and is seeking a medical breakthrough to save his wife (Rachel Weisz) from cancer. Budgeted at $35 million, the screenplay is a blend offantasy,history,spirituality, andscience fiction.The Fountain premiered on November 22, 2006, to mixed reviews and under-performed at the box office.[61][62] Ruthe Stein of theSan Francisco Chronicle writes, "The movie is overloaded with imagery. At times, it's stunning to look at, but gradually becomes too much", but praises Burstyn for her character's "impressive depth".[63] Since its release, the film managed to gain acult following causing media to revisit the film.[64]
In 2006, Burstyn was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the role of FormerTarnower Steady inHBO'sMrs. Harris, another biopic about Jean Harris.[65] Soon after the nominations were announced, questions were raised regarding the worthiness of the nomination due to her minor role in the film, consisting of 14 seconds of screen time and 38 words of dialogue. The nominating committee were accused of approving a "familiar" name without actually seeing their performance.[66] TheAcademy of Television Arts and Sciences, administrator of the Emmy Awards, insisted it was a legitimate nomination.[67] Burstyn reacted, "I thought it was fabulous. My next ambition is to get nominated for seven seconds, and ultimately, I want to be nominated for a picture in which I don't even appear", adding, "This doesn't have anything to do with me... work it out yourself".[68] Ultimately,Kelly Macdonald, who starred inThe Girl in the Cafe, won the award.[69] In March 2007, the academy adjusted the eligibility criteria.[70]
Burstyn also appeared in the thrillerThe Wicker Man (2006), a remake of the 1973 British film of thesame name, which was a commercial flop and negatively received by critics.[71][72]Slant magazine was critical of the cast performances, writing that Burstyn "feigns arrogant malevolence".[73] A year later, Burstyn starred inThe Stone Angel, based on the 1964novel of the same name byMargaret Laurence. Like its predecessor, the film also garnered negative reviews, withStephen Holden ofThe New York Times writing, "a film of tightly assembled bits and pieces that don't fit comfortably together despite clever dashes of magical realism connecting past and present... it leaves you frustrated by its failure to braid subplots and characters into a gripping narrative".[74] Burstyn followed up with parts inLovely, Still (2008) andThe Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008).[75]
Burstyn portrayed the grandmother of Lou (played byMackenzie Foy) inWish You Well (2013). A year later, Burstyn and Foy worked together again inChristopher Nolan's epic science fiction filmInterstellar.[82] Set in adystopian future where humanity is struggling to survive, the film follows a group ofastronauts who travel through awormhole in search of a new home for humanity. The film grossed over $700 million at the box-office.[83]
In 2014, Burstyn made a guest appearance in five episodes ofLouis C.K's critically acclaimedFX seriesLouie. She portrayed an elderlyHungarian neighbor of Louis C.K. inseason four. Critic Emily Todd VanDerWerff ofThe A.V. Club described Burstyn's performance as "marvelous".[84] Despite not receiving an Emmy nomination, she garnered awards buzz for her performance.[85] In an interview withThe New York Times, Burstyn was asked about her reaction to the accusations of sexual misconduct against Louis C.K. She responded by saying, "Louis just broke my heart because I love him. When I worked with him, I had such admiration for his talent and his person, his being. I know he's a good person, but even good people have sexual hang-ups that hurt other people. I just wish he had gone to therapy or whatever so it didn't have to ruin his life."[86]
In 2014, she also starred in a thriller,The Calling, and the television filmFlowers in the Attic. In 2015, Burstyn played Flemming, the daughter ofBlake Lively's immortal character in the romantic fantasy filmThe Age of Adaline. Production started in March 2014, and the film was released in April 2015.[87]
In 2016, Burstyn guest starred in five episodes of the critically acclaimed political thrillerHouse of Cards.The New York Times praised Burstyn's character for adding "vitality and heart"; her performance in the series earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.[88] She acted in a succession of low-budget films, includingCustody (2016),The House of Tomorrow (2017),All I Wish (2017), andNostalgia (2018). Burstyn also starred inJennifer Fox's mystery dramaThe Tale, which premiered onHBO on May 26, 2018.[89] Burstyn served as an executive producer for Peter Livolsi's filmThe House of Tomorrow (2017), about her friendR. Buckminster Fuller, in which she also starred.[90] In 2019, she appeared in the drama filmAmerican Woman and the space dramaLucy in the Sky; both films were met with mixed reviews.[91]
In 2014, Burstyn indicated she was working on directing a feature film,Bathing Flo.[98][99] It was announced in July 2021 that Burstyn would reprise her role as Chris MacNeil for the first time since 1973 inthe upcoming trilogy of sequels toThe Exorcist.[100]
Burstyn married Bill Alexander in 1950 and divorced in 1957. The next year, she married Paul Roberts, with whom she adopted a son named Jefferson in 1961. The couple divorced that same year.[102] In 1964, she married actorNeil Nephew, who later changed his name to Neil Burstyn. She described Neil Burstyn as "charming and funny and bright and talented and eccentric", butschizophrenia made him violent and he eventually left her.[103] He attempted to reconcile but they divorced in 1972. In her autobiography,Lessons in Becoming Myself, Burstyn revealed that he had stalked her for six years after their divorce, and once raped her while they were still married. No charges were filed, asspousal rape was not yet a crime. He died by suicide in 1978 by jumping from the window of his ninth-floor Manhattan apartment.[104]
Burstyn was raisedCatholic, but now affiliates herself with all religious faiths.[105] She follows a form ofSufism, explaining "I am a spirit opening to the truth that lives in all of these religions... I always pray to Spirit, but sometimes, it's to the Goddess. Sometimes, it's toJesus... Sometimes, I pray toGanesha if I need an obstacle removed.Guan Yin is one of my favorite manifestations of the divine, the embodiment of compassion... So, I have Guan Yin with me all the time."[106] In her late 30s she began to learn about spirituality, under the instruction of PirVilayat Inayat Khan, who gave her the spiritual name Hadiya, which means "she who is guided" in Arabic.[106]
^Preston, Marilynn (December 9, 1980). "Tempo: No panic, yet, from new 'Saturday Night' boss".Chicago Tribune. p. B12.
^"The 53rd Academy Awards | 1981".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. October 5, 2014.Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. RetrievedMarch 7, 2020.
^"Resurrection".www.goldenglobes.com.Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. RetrievedMarch 7, 2020.
^Roommates (1995), March 3, 1995,archived from the original on November 30, 2017, retrievedMarch 7, 2020
^"The 68th Academy Awards | 1996".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. October 5, 2014.Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. RetrievedMarch 7, 2020.
^Walker-Mitchell, Donna (January 23, 2009)."Good, bad, ugly".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. RetrievedDecember 4, 2013.
Canadian Film Awards 1968–1978,Genie Awards 1980-2011,Canadian Screen Awards 2012–present. Separate awards were presented by gender prior to 2022; a single unified category for best performance regardless of gender has been presented since.
