Tag: national board of review

Stage and Screen Acting Legend - Ellen Burstyn

18 February 2010

Edna Rae Gillooly, better known as Ellen Burstyn was born in Detroit Michigan on December 7th, 1932. When Ellen Burstyn was in High School she spent a great deal of her time dancing, cheerleading and was even on the student council. She also spent some time modeling for a local department store. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to be an actress so she devoted a lot of her time to her craft.

Ellen Burstyn eventually decided that an academic education was not in the cards for her so she quit school in 1950 to get married. This marriage only lasted five years. When the marriage was over she began to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. She eventually found work in a Montreal Nightclub as a dancer and in 1957 she landed the leading role in a play called Fair Game.

Ellen Burstyn appeared to have a natural gift for acting, her role in Fair Game was granted many positive reviews. However, stage performing was not enough for her so she went on to conquer Hollywood next and she managed to land guest roles on a couple of television series using the name Ellen McCrae. She got married to Neil Burstyn during this time and had a son with him in 1962.

Read the rest of this entry »