Ellen Burstyn Discusses Her 65-Year Career And The 'Frightful Experience' Of Being A Movie Star

May 27, 2022 by apost team

When it comes to iconic actresses, there are few that can compare to Ellen Burstyn. She is a highly accomplished actress best known for her portrayals of complicated women in drama films. However, Burstyn has proven to have an impressive range and has been in a plethora of television shows, films and theater productions over the course of her nearly 65-year career. 

It’s not surprising that she is the recipient of many accolades and is among one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting – meaning Burstyn has won at least one Academy Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award.

Burstyn was born on Dec. 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan. She left school to work as a dancer and model before making her acting debut on Broadway at the age of 24. Shortly after, Burstyn began appearing in television shows, and it wasn’t long until she landed her acclaimed role in the 1971 coming-of-age drama “The Last Picture Show.” This role earned the budding actress her first prestigious award nomination and her career only progressed from that point on.

Some of her most notable projects include “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Same Time, Next Year,” “Requiem For a Dream” and “The Exorcist.” To this day, the latter is still considered one of the greatest horror films of all time. In fact, it has such a high caliber that the film’s long-awaited sequel is set to be released in 2023, with Burstyn reprising her original role.

Let’s take a look at this actress’ impressive life and career over the years.

Burstyn has been a force to be reckoned with since the 1950s, appearing in plenty of films, plays and TV shows along the way. Some of her most accomplished work was during the 1970s, including the films “The Exorcist” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”

Speaking with CBS, Burstyn talked about what it was like to be a prominent actress then – and now – and how she came to be known for portraying complex women. The actress said:

“In the 1970s, we all kind of woke up, you know, and went, ‘I don’t have to be a wife, I don’t have to. I could be a woman. I can be a wife and a woman, or I can be a woman without being a wife. And Alice wasn’t a wife once her husband died. And she raised her son by herself, like I raised my son by myself. And that was never kind of dealt with yet.”

In her personal life, Burstyn has been married and divorced three times and is the mother to one child – an adopted son named Jefferson. She endured some tough relationships and challenges over the years, and it’s clear that she has brought her life experiences into her work. Burstyn said it was her “intention” to bring “a real, total sense of being what a woman was, and is” to her work.

Her work has resonated with both fans and critics alike, so it’s not surprising that Burstyn is the recipient of an ample amount of awards. She has earned the prestigious Triple Crown of Acting, and has taken home awards for her roles in “Requiem for a Dream,” “Same Time, Next Year,” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and many more.

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Despite being so iconic, Burstyn surprisingly said that she never planned on making it big in Hollywood. Speaking with The Guardian, she said:

“It was never really my intention to be a movie star. I always wanted to be as good as I could possibly be. That kind of goal leads you in a different direction to wanting to be a star, which can be a frightful experience.”

Speaking with WNYC Studios, Burstyn talked more about what it feels like to be taken for granted as a woman. She said:

“I think that we have a natural impulse to serve … But that leads us down a path where it gets taken for granted. As though we are supposed to, as opposed to, we want to. One has to learn that. It’s not an obligation. It’s a gift …

While Burstyn had a very bustling career during her earlier years, it doesn’t seem like she’s planning on slowing down any time soon. Nowadays, the actress is 89 years old and is as busy as ever! 

She was recently on a handful of television shows including “Law & Order: Organized Crime” and the anthology drama “The First Lady.” The latter show depicted the life and family events of First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama, with Burstyn portraying the role of Sara Delano Roosevelt.

According to IMDb, Burstyn has a few film projects in the works, including a sequel to the iconic horror film “The Exorcist.” The new film falls under the same name and is set to be released in 2023, with Burstyn reprising her role as Chris MacNeil. We can’t wait to see what else the future brings for this unforgettable star!

What do you think about Ellen Burstyn’s illustrious career? What is your favorite film, TV show or play of hers? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones.