Skip to content
MovieCove
Ellen Burstyn

Ellen Burstyn

Actor, also producer · Born December 7, 1932 (93) · Detroit, Michigan, USA

Oscar winner · 2 Primetime Emmys · Golden Globe winner · 7 other major award bodies

Ellen Burstyn (born Edna Rae Gillooly; December 7, 1932) is an American actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women in dramas, she has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, making her one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting". She has also received a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. Burstyn made her acting debut on Broadway in Fair Game in 1957 before winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Same Time, Next Year (1975). She earned the Academy Award for Best Actress as the widow Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese's romantic drama Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974). Her other Oscar-nominated roles were in The Last Picture Show (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Same Time, Next Year (1978), Resurrection (1980), and Requiem for a Dream (2000). Her other notable films include Harry and Tonto (1974), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), W. (2008), Interstellar (2014), The Age of Adaline (2015), and Pieces of a Woman (2020). She won Primetime Emmy Awards for her guest role in the NBC legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009) and supporting role in the USA Network political miniseries Political Animals (2013). Her other Emmy-nominated roles include Pack of Lies (1988), Mrs. Harris (2005), Big Love (2008), Draft Day, Flowers in the Attic (both 2014), and House of Cards (2016). Since 2000, she has been co-president of the Actors Studio, a drama school in New York City. In 2013, she was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame for her work onstage.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 7, 1932 (93)
From
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
102 on MovieCove · 153 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 14% in 30 days

What are Ellen Burstyn's films like?

Across their 92 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama47 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy17 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 12th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
26%
Self
20%
Morality
18%
Survival
15%
Society
11%
Ideas
5%
Power
4%
Family bonds37 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love14 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief16 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice12 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose12 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma11 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age8 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 90 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 25 · Serious 24 · Dark 41

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 71 · Stylized 15 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 19 · Charged 46 · Intense 25

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 50 · Shifting 31 · Whiplash 9

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 59 · Some laughs 28 · Funny 3

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 60 · Even-paced 29 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 32 · Engaged 47 · Full focus 11

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 22 · Affecting 26 · Heavy 42

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 61 · Open-ended 17 · Ambiguous 12

Roles they play

58 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 23 of 58 analyzed roles.

Mentor
23 of 58
Ally
9 of 58
Hero
9 of 58
Herald
6 of 58
Shadow
6 of 58
Shapeshifter
3 of 58
Threshold guardian
2 of 58
Show the 58 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
56
Tense
43
Contemplative
28
Warm
23
Hopeful
25
Other
72

How their films linger

Bittersweet40 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful37 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking36 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 10 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet58
  • Tragic7
  • Ambiguous12
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ellen Burstyn's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 62 of their 102 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (31).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ellen Burstyn's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

153 credits, 102 with a MovieCove page; 44 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Flesh Impact (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Marilyn Monroe

  • Place to Be (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Brooke

  • Duse, the Greatest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as E. Jean Carroll

  • Mother Couch(2023)

    as Mother

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Exorcist: Believer(2023)

    as Chris MacNeil

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The First Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sara Delano Roosevelt

  • Three Months(2022)

    as Valerie

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Queen Bees(2021)

    as Helen Wilson

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Watch on the Rhine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Fanny

  • Law & Order: Organized Crime(2021)

    Show 27 episodes · as Bernadette 'Bernie' Stabler

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Pieces of a Woman(2020)

    as Elizabeth Weiss

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Lucy in the Sky(2019)

    as Nana Holbrook

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • American Woman(2019)

    as Miss Dolly

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The House of Tomorrow(2017)

    Executive Producer · as Josephine Prendergast

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Nostalgia(2018)

    as Helen Greer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • All I Wish(2017)

    as Celia Berges

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Tale(2018)

    as Nettie

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Wiener-Dog(2016)

    as Nana

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Custody(2016)

    as Beatrice Fisher

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Unity(2015)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • About Scout(2015)

    as Gram

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Age of Adaline(2015)

    as Flemming

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Interstellar(2014)

    as Murph (older)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Calling(2014)

    as Emily Micallef

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Petals on the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Olivia Foxworth

  • Two Men in Town(2014)

    as Mère Garnett

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Draft Day(2014)

    as Barb Weaver

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • River of Fundament (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Hathfertiti

  • Flowers in the Attic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Grandmother

  • Wish You Well(2013)

    as Louisa Mae Cardinal

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Mom(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Shirley

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • House of Cards(2013)

    Show 5 episodes · as Elizabeth Hale

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Coma(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs. Emerson

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Political Animals(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Margaret Barrish

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You(2011)

    as Nanette

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Another Happy Day(2011)

    as Doris Baker

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Mighty Macs(2009)

    as Mother St. John

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Main Street(2010)

    as Georgiana Carr

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • According to Greta(2009)

    as Katherine

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Lovely, Still(2008)

    as Mary

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Velveteen Rabbit(2009)

    as Swan (voice)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • W.(2008)

    as Barbara Bush

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond(2008)

    as Miss Addie

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Mitch Albom's for One More Day(2007)

    as Pauline "Posey" Benetto

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Stone Angel(2007)

    as Hagar

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Fountain(2006)

    as Dr. Lillian Guzetti

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • 30 Days(2006)

    as Maura

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Wicker Man(2006)

    as Sister Summersisle

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Elephant King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Diana Hunt

  • Big Love(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · as Nancy Davis Dutton

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Book of Daniel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 4 episodes · as Bishop Beatrice Congreve

  • Mrs. Harris(2005)

    as Former Tarnower Steady

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Our Fathers(2005)

    as Mary Ryan

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Five People You Meet in Heaven(2004)

    as Ruby

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel(2004)

    as Tommie

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Brush with Fate(2003)

    as Rika

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Red Dragon(2002)

    as Grandma Dolarhyde (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood(2002)

    as Vivi

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Within These Walls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Executive Producer · as Joan Thomas

  • Requiem for a Dream(2000)

    as Sara Goldfarb

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • That's Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 36 episodes · as Dolly DeLucca

  • Mermaid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Trish

  • The Yards(2000)

    as Val Handler

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Walking Across Egypt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mattie Rigsbee

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernie Stabler

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Night Ride Home(1999)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Playing by Heart(1998)

    as Mildred

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • A Will of their Own (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Veronica Steward

  • You Can Thank Me Later(1998)

    as Shirley Cooperberg

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Patron Saint of Liars(1998)

    as June Clatterbuck

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Flash(1997)

    as Laura Strong

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Deceiver(1997)

    as Mook

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • A Deadly Vision(1997)

    as Yvette Watson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • HARDtalk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Timepiece (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Maud Gannon

  • The Spitfire Grill(1996)

    as Hannah Ferguson

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • How to Make an American Quilt(1995)

    as Hy Dodd

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Baby-Sitters Club(1995)

    as Mrs. Haberman

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Follow The River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Gretel

  • My Brother's Keeper(1995)

    as Helen

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Roommates(1995)

    as Judith

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Trick of the Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Frances Griffin

  • Getting Gotti(1994)

    as Jo Giacalone

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • When a Man Loves a Woman(1994)

    as Emily

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Getting Out(1994)

    as Arlie's Mother

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Roots of Roe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story(1993)

    as Joan Delvecchio

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Cemetery Club(1993)

    as Esther Moskowitz

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Earth and the American Dream(1992)

    as Reader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • When It Was a Game 2(1992)

    as Passage Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story(1992)

    as Wilma

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Grand Isle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mademoiselle Reisz

  • Dying Young(1991)

    as Mrs. O'Neil

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love(1991)

    as Lillian "Lil" Lambert

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • When You Remember Me(1990)

    as Nurse Cooder

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Color of Evening(1990)

    as Kate O'Rielly

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • American Experience(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Hanna's War(1988)

    as Katalin

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam(1987)

    as Mrs. Stocks (voice)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Pack of Lies(1987)

    as Barbara Jackson

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Something in Common (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Lynn Hollander

  • The Ellen Burstyn Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ellen Brewer

  • Act of Vengeance(1986)

    as Margaret Yablonski

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Into Thin Air(1985)

    as Joan Walker

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Twice in a Lifetime(1985)

    as Kate MacKenzie

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Surviving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Tina Brogan

  • The Ambassador(1984)

    as Alex Hacker

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Silence of the North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Olive Frederickson

  • The People vs. Jean Harris(1981)

    as Jean Harris

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Resurrection(1980)

    as Edna

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • A Dream of Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Brenda Collins

  • Same Time, Next Year(1978)

    as Doris

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Providence(1977)

    as Sonia Langham

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore(1974)

    as Alice Hyatt

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Harry and Tonto(1974)

    as Shirley

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Thursday's Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Lynne Evers

  • The Exorcist(1973)

    as Chris MacNeil

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The King of Marvin Gardens(1972)

    as Sally

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Last Picture Show(1971)

    as Lois Farrow

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Alex in Wonderland(1970)

    as Beth Morrison

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Tropic of Cancer(1970)

    as Mona (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Pit Stop(1969)

    as Ellen McCleod

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Time Tunnel(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Eve Holland

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Big Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Sister Sarah Jacob

  • Goodbye Charlie(1964)

    as Franny Salzman

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • For Those Who Think Young(1964)

    as Dr. Pauline Swenson

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Sherwood / Lucille Benton

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Eva Laurelton

  • The Greatest Show on Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Mason

  • Vacation Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellen

  • Going My Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise

  • I'm Dickens, He's Fenster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Kate Burden

  • Ricochet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Rose Maxon

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Connie · as Dr. Leslie Fraser

  • Bus Stop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Phyllis Dunning

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Anne Garner

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Hilda Wesley

  • Kraft Mystery Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Greta Dryden

  • Surfside 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Wandra Drake

  • Checkmate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Margo as Ellen McRae

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Nora

  • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Donna Whittaker

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Christmas Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Elizabeth

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Betty Benson · as Sandra Keene

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Mona Winthrope White

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Emmy Mae

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 2 episodes · as Amy Waters · as Polly

  • The Loretta Young Show(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Ann Walters

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Jackson · as Elizabeth · as Maggie · as Rika

  • Easy Out? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Mary

  • Bathing Flo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 153 titles, 152 of them dated from 1948 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Interstellar (2014)

$783M worldwide

Highest rated

Interstellar (2014)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19482026

Peak 2015 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 33 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 7 more milestones

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting153 of 153: 150 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thDirecting1 of 153: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 153: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

153 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s9 · acting1960s20 · acting1970s11 · acting1980s14 · acting1990s33 · acting2000s25 · 25 acting · 1 crew2010s27 · 27 acting · 1 crew2020s12 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 15% of 59 roles
6474849499091419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

an Oscar, 2 Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award and 4 other major awards from 33 major nominations, 1972–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Venice award, won
  2. 2024
    • Venice award, won
  3. 2021
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actress
  4. 2019
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Limited Series
  5. 2016
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
  6. 2015
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
  7. 2014
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
  8. 2013
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Show 15 earlier years
  1. 2009
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
  2. 2008
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
  3. 2006
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
  4. 2001
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actress in a Leading Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Female Lead
  5. 1997
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album
  6. 1996
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast
  7. 1988
    • Berlinale award, won
  8. 1987
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
  9. 1982
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
  10. 1981
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actress in a Leading Role
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
  11. 1979
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actress in a Leading Role
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  12. 1976
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Actress
  13. 1975
    • Oscar, won · Best Actress in a Leading Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
  14. 1974
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actress in a Leading Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
  15. 1972
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actress in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Ellen Burstyn's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 89; across their 90 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 90

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 90

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 90

Midcredits score across 102 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up33
  • 50th to 74th25
  • 25th to 49th29
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

42 of their 102 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved12
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser40
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed42

Most divisive · actor

Earth and the American Dream (1992)

89th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Interstellar (2014)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 80 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 52. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ellen Burstyn's work okay for kids?

Across up to 28 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore15 titles21–80 · median 51 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity28 titles21–71 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity19 titles34–76 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs15 titles6–55 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense14 titles16–89 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Ellen Burstyn work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ellen Burstyn's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Halmi Sr. shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles