Ellen Burstyn Net Worth

Ellen Burstyn, born Edna Rae Gillooly, is an award-winning American actress with an extensive career in film, television, and theater. She has a net worth of $20 million, earned through decades of acclaimed performances on stage and screen. Known for her versatility, Burstyn has starred in films such as The Last Picture Show, The Exorcist, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Resurrection, and Requiem for a Dream. Her work has earned her an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and an Emmy Award, making her one of the few entertainers to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting.”

Ellen Burstyn Net Worth	$30 Million
Date of Birth	December 7, 1932
Place of Birth	Detroit, Michigan
Nationality	American
Profession	Actress

Table of Contents

Early Life and Education

Ellen Burstyn was born on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to John and Correine Gillooly. She grew up with two brothers, Jack and Steve. After her parents’ divorce, she was raised primarily by her mother and stepfather. She attended Cass Technical High School, where she studied fashion illustration but eventually dropped out before graduating. Afterward, she worked as a dancer under the stage name Kerri Flynn and later modeled until she began her acting career.

Film Career

Burstyn made her film debut in the 1960s under the name Ellen McRae, appearing in Goodbye Charlie (1964) and For Those Who Think Young (1964). Her breakthrough came in 1971 with The Last Picture Show, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. She followed with The Exorcist (1973), another box-office and critical success, which brought her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

In 1974, Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. She continued her momentum with roles in Same Time, Next Year (1978) and Resurrection (1980), both of which earned her further Academy Award nominations. In 2000, she received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Sara Goldfarb in Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream, which brought her another Oscar nomination.

Over the years, she has appeared in numerous acclaimed films, including Interstellar, The Age of Adaline, and Pieces of a Woman, further cementing her legacy as one of Hollywood’s most respected performers.

Television and Theater Career

On television, Burstyn has had notable roles in That’s Life, Political Animals, House of Cards, and Big Love. She has also appeared in several Law & Order spinoffs, winning an Emmy for her guest role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Her stage work is equally celebrated. Burstyn won a Tony Award in 1975 for Same Time, Next Year and has performed in numerous Broadway productions, including Shirley Valentine and 84 Charing Cross Road.

Personal Life

Ellen Burstyn has been married three times and has one son, Jefferson Roberts, whom she adopted during her marriage to Paul Roberts. Her third marriage to actor Neil Nephew ended due to his struggles with schizophrenia.

Beyond acting, Burstyn has been deeply involved in spiritual pursuits. Though raised Catholic, she later embraced Sufism, blending various spiritual traditions. Since 2000, she has served as co-president of the Actors Studio alongside Alec Baldwin and Al Pacino.

Real Estate

Burstyn resides in New York’s Hudson Valley in a 3,000-square-foot home she purchased in 1989 for $750,000. The property has since appreciated significantly, with similar homes in the area now valued between $4 million and $5 million.