This actress, who is 92 years old, is still breaking down barriers in a field that is known for its short-lived recognition of genius. She has performed in critically acclaimed movies, TV shows, and plays over the course of several decades.
Her ascent to stardom was anything from typical. She began her career as a model and showgirl before making her way into movies and television. With ground-breaking parts that highlighted her beauty, ability, and commitment to her craft, she rose to fame in the 1970s.
April 1977 picture of the Academy Award-winning actress | Source: Getty Images
However, her personal life was falling apart as her popularity increased. As Neil Burstyn’s mental condition become violent, she experienced years of terror and suffering as his spouse. Her tale is one of perseverance and survival, which stands in sharp contrast to the glitz of her public persona.
The 1973 picture of the actress | Source: Getty Images
From a Humble Start to Hollywood Royalty
The path to fame for this actress started very little. Prior to her Broadway debut, she worked as a nightclub dancer and model in the 1950s. She began a successful career in the 1960s when she switched to television and movies.
The actress in close-up, around 1965 | Source: Getty Images
She was widely known by 1971 for a prominent performance that brought her praise from critics and nominations for important awards. Her roles in movies like “The Exorcist” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” cemented her status as one of her generation’s most gifted actors.
This 1971 photo of the actress was taken on set by Getty Images.
She received an Academy Award for her performance in the latter, but she was unable to physically accept the prize at the event in 1975. She went on to win an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar, becoming one of just 17 women in the profession to accomplish the Triple Crown of Acting.
Getty Images | The actress at the Tony Awards in April 1975
When she looked back on her career, she disclosed that she had made the conscious decision to concentrate on improving her art rather than depending only on her attractiveness. “It occurred to me, I could have a career based on my looks,” she explained. “But if I did, it would be a very short career, and I’d better not rely on that.”
The actress’s 1975 portrait | Source: Getty Images
Although she worked hard to acquire her career, the instability in her personal life was a sharp contrast to her on-screen success.
The actress, via Getty Images, approximately 1970
The Nightmare Behind Closed Doors
In 1960, the actress fell in love with actor Neil Burstyn after two failed marriages. She was first drawn to Neil because of his charisma, skill, and eccentricity. But as their bond grew, Neil started exhibiting symptoms of a serious mental disease, ultimately receiving a diagnosis of psychosis and schizophrenia.
On-set photos of the actress taken on December 2, 1962 | Source: Getty Images
He left her in the 1970s, right before her career took off. She had five Academy Award nominations and one victory during that decade, making her one of Hollywood’s most renowned actresses. But even though they were apart, Neil didn’t want to let her go.
She subsequently recalled, “He wanted to come back,” “I didn’t want my crazy husband to return since by that point I had realized how nice life was without him. For ten years, he followed me about. He assaulted her after breaking into her house, which was one of the most terrifying events.
Getty Images | The 1974 award-winning actress
She encountered apathy from the police when she reported the event. Given that Neil was her spouse, the police thought his behavior was acceptable and not criminal. Even at work, Neil continued to stalk her as his mental health worsened.
On November 19, 1976, the award-winning actress attends the 75th birthday celebration at Actors Studio | Source: Getty Images
She was tormented by him when she performed on Broadway in “Same Time, Next Year,” when he once screamed her name out of the crowd, frightening her and her co-star Charles Grodin. She talked about how she lived in constant anxiety, sometimes thinking Neil would murder her.
In April 1975, the actress was shown with her co-star Charles Grodin. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
When Neil committed suicide in 1978, their turbulent relationship came to an end. His passing triggered a complicated range of emotions, even though they had been estranged for years by that point. She thought, “It seemed like somehow my success had caused his insanity,” even though she knew.
Photographed by the actress in 1978 | Source: Getty Images
Although these years of suffering left her with scars, they also marked a sea change in her life by encouraging her to recover and find herself. She embraced seclusion as a place to think and rebuild her identity since she was determined to take back her life.
In 1979, the actress shows up at an awards ceremony | Source: Getty Images
Finding Healing Through Solitude
She stayed away from new relationships for almost twenty years, preferring to concentrate on self-discovery, meditation, and therapy.
She said that this time changed her and helped her develop her inner strength and independence. The ability to say, ‘It’s okay,’ is essential. “I can be a woman, powerful, and loved all at once,” she said.
The actress in 1981 | Source: Getty Images
She had several unusual encounters as a result of her spiritual quest during her recovery process. She slept on the streets of New York City, ate at soup kitchens, and begged for money on a three-day “street retreat” with a Buddhist monk.
Her perspective on mankind changed as a result of this enlightening event. “You have to fall back on your resources and you have to experience what life is like without all of the props,” she said. She learned compassion lessons from the retreat that influenced her perspective for years to come.
The actress photographed in London, England, circa 1981 | Source: Getty Images
She eventually gave herself permission to re-accept love and friendship as she became more grounded. She finally established a love relationship where she could give and receive completely after years of self-work.
She gained fresh strength and insight from these years of self-discovery that she used to both her personal and artistic endeavors.
The actress attends the opening of “Shimada” on April 23, 1992 | Source: Getty Images
A Legacy Built on Talent and Determination
The actress’s career is a testament to her adaptability and perseverance, even as she gets closer to 92. She has been able to engage audiences in real life as well as on TV. One particularly noteworthy incident included a young guy who said that her performance in “The Last Picture Show” had saved his life.
Getty Images | The actress attends the 1996 National Board of Review Awards Dinner
He wrote to let her know that after witnessing her character’s tenacity in the face of adversity, he had reconsidered his intention to take his own life.
She is still breaking down barriers in Hollywood, even at the age of 90. She has been thankful for her ongoing success in recent interviews. “I’m busier than I can ever remember being at any point in my career,” she said. “Why is there so much talk about ageism in Hollywood? How could I have been excluded?
The actress at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards | Source: Getty Images
“Everyone else who could play those parts has already died, so I’m the only actress still standing who can play the great-grandmother,” she said, displaying her trademark wit as she suggested that her continuing opportunities may result from outliving her colleagues.
The actress attends the HBO Documentary screening of “I Am Evidence” on April 24, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Her artistic pursuits extend beyond the realm of performing. Whether it’s publishing a collection of her favorite poetry or coaching the upcoming generation of theater professionals, she never stops pushing herself creatively. One happy recipient of her influence and love of the arts is her granddaughter Emily, who manages stages.
The actress attends the 39th Annual Muse Awards on December 13, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Ellen Burstyn is a wonderful woman whose journey is a testament to perseverance and success. Her admirers still laud her for her beauty and brilliance. “I think she’s just as beautiful today as she was when she was younger,” one admirer said in a comment on X. Her grin is really beautiful.
Ellen Burstyn pictured in New York City on March 14, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“What a remarkable, talented, elegant woman,” said another. She looks decades younger. glowing and elegant from the inside out. Someone wrote, “Ellen Burstyn, 91, looking as gorgeous as ever at the 81st Annual Venice Film Festival.”
Ellen Burstyn with FIJI Water on January 12, 2024, during the AFI Awards Luncheon 2023 | Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Fans said “Such a good actress” and “Great actress” on Facebook. So adaptable. These compliments reverberate across several platforms, demonstrating the love and respect she has gained over the course of her multi-decade career.
