Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ellen Burstyn’s Net Worth?
Ellen Burstyn, born Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932, boasts a substantial net worth of $20 million. This impressive figure reflects her decades-long career as a highly respected and versatile actress in film, television, and theater. Her financial success is a culmination of earnings from various projects, including lead and supporting roles in critically acclaimed movies, television series, and stage productions. While specific details of individual salaries and earnings from each project are not publicly available, we can estimate the general scope of her financial achievements based on her career trajectory.
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Ellen Burstyn’s early career involved diverse experiences. After dropping out of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where she studied fashion illustration, she worked as a dancer under the stage name Kerri Flynn and later as a model until the age of 23. These early experiences likely contributed to her initial financial stability and paved the way for her acting career. Burstyn’s career began in the early 1960s, with appearances in films such as “Goodbye Charlie” (1964) and “For Those Who Think Young” (1964), under the name Ellen McRae. These early roles, though not major, provided initial income and experience in the film industry.
Her breakthrough role came in 1971 with Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Picture Show.” Although specific salary details for this film are not public, the film’s critical acclaim and Burstyn’s Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress significantly boosted her career and earning potential. The early 1970s marked a turning point in Burstyn’s career, and it’s reasonable to assume her income increased substantially during this period due to higher-profile roles and increased demand for her services.
Following “The Last Picture Show,” Burstyn starred in Bob Rafelson’s “The King of Marvin Gardens” in 1972. In 1973, she achieved major commercial success with William Friedkin’s horror film “The Exorcist,” one of the highest-grossing films of all time. While her exact salary for “The Exorcist” is not publicly disclosed, it’s safe to assume it was a significant sum, reflecting the film’s budget and potential box office earnings. Her performance in “The Exorcist” also earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, further elevating her status and earning potential.
In 1974, Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” This award not only cemented her reputation as a leading actress but also likely led to increased salary demands for future roles. While her specific earnings for this film are not public, winning an Oscar typically results in a significant boost in an actor’s earning power.
Continued Success in Film and Theater
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Burstyn continued to star in a variety of films, including “Providence,” “A Dream of Passion,” and “Same Time, Next Year” (1978), the latter of which was an adaptation of the play in which she also starred. In 1975, she won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production of “Same Time, Next Year.” While Broadway salaries vary, winning a Tony Award usually leads to higher pay and more opportunities in both theater and film. Her role in the film version of “Same Time, Next Year” earned her a Golden Globe Award and her fourth nomination for an Academy Award. Although the exact figures are not available, we can assume that her financial compensation increased significantly as her fame grew.
In 1980, Burstyn starred in “Resurrection,” earning her fifth Academy Award nomination. The 1980s also saw her in films like “Silence of the North,” “The Ambassador,” and “Twice in a Lifetime.” In the 1990s, she appeared in “Grand Isle,” “The Cemetery Club,” “How to Make an American Quilt,” “Roommates,” “The Spitfire Grill,” and “Walking Across Egypt.” It is reasonable to conclude that Burstyn maintained a consistent income stream during these decades through a combination of film and stage work. Again, the specifics of her earnings from each project remain private.
Later Career and Notable Roles
In the 2000s, Burstyn delivered one of her most acclaimed performances in Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream” (2000), earning her another Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Although salary information for “Requiem for a Dream” is not public, her performance in this film reaffirmed her status as a highly respected actress, likely influencing her future earnings.
After “Requiem for a Dream,” Burstyn appeared in numerous films, including “The Yards,” “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” “The Fountain,” “The Wicker Man,” “Lovely, Still,” “W.,” and “According to Greta.” In the 2010s, she continued to work steadily, appearing in “Main Street,” “Another Happy Day,” “Interstellar,” “The Age of Adaline,” “Wiener-Dog,” “The House of Tomorrow,” “The Tale,” and “Lucy in the Sky.” In 2020, she received praise for her performance in “Pieces of a Woman.” Her later credits include “Queen Bees,” “Three Months,” and a series of new sequels to “The Exorcist.” Although the individual salaries for these roles are not publicly available, her consistent work in both independent and mainstream films contributed significantly to her overall net worth.
Television Career and Emmy Award
Burstyn has also had a prolific career in television. Early in her career, she appeared in episodes of “Dr. Kildare,” “Surfside 6,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Cheyenne,” “Gunsmoke,” “Bus Stop,” “Perry Mason,” “The Defenders,” “Wagon Train,” and “The Doctors.” In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, she mainly appeared in television films such as “Thursday’s Game,” “The People vs. Jean Harris,” “Act of Vengeance,” “Pack of Lies,” “Trick of the Eye,” “Getting Gotti,” and “Flash.” She also starred in her own sitcom, “The Ellen Burstyn Show,” from 1986 to 1987. While television salaries are generally lower than film salaries for lead roles, consistent work in television can contribute significantly to an actor’s income over time.
From 2000 to 2002, Burstyn had a long-running role on the CBS series “That’s Life.” She also starred in the television film “Mermaid.” Subsequently, she appeared in television films such as “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” “For One More Day,” and “Mrs. Harris,” earning an Emmy nomination for the latter. She also had a main role on the NBC series “The Book of Daniel.” From 2007 to 2011, Burstyn played Nancy Davis Dutton on “Big Love,” receiving another Emmy nomination. In 2008, she won her first Emmy Award for her guest appearance on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Guest appearances on popular shows can often command high fees, particularly for established actors like Burstyn. She reprised this role in a recurring capacity on “Law & Order: Organized Crime” from 2021 to 2022. Other notable television credits include recurring roles on “Political Animals,” “House of Cards,” “Louie,” and “The First Lady,” as well as appearances in the Lifetime television films “Flowers in the Attic” and “Petals on the Wind.” These recurring roles and appearances in television films have provided her with a steady income stream, contributing significantly to her net worth.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Ellen’s primary residence is a 3000 square foot home in New York’s Hudson Valley region, purchased in 1989 for $750,000. She reportedly spent several million dollars renovating the home. Similar homes in the area routinely sell for $4-5 million. This real estate investment has likely appreciated significantly over time, adding to her overall net worth. The renovation costs suggest a significant investment in improving the property, which could also have increased its value. In addition to her real estate holdings, Burstyn’s net worth is also influenced by her personal investments and lifestyle choices.
Burstyn has been married and divorced multiple times. She was married to William Alexander from 1950 to 1957, Paul Roberts (with whom she had an adopted son, Jefferson) shortly after, and Neil Nephew from 1964 to 1972. Financial settlements from these divorces may have had an impact on her net worth, although specific details are not publicly available. The costs associated with personal relationships and family life can also influence an individual’s financial standing.
Burstyn embraces a form of Sufism that encompasses multiple schools of spiritual practice. Alongside Alec Baldwin and Al Pacino, she has served as co-president of the Actors Studio since 2000. Her involvement in the Actors Studio may provide her with additional income or benefits, although the specific details are not known.
Summary of Ellen Burstyn’s Net Worth
In summary, Ellen Burstyn’s $20 million net worth is a testament to her long and successful career in film, television, and theater. Her consistent work in these fields, combined with strategic real estate investments, has contributed to her impressive financial standing. Although specific salary details for individual projects are not publicly available, her career trajectory and the accolades she has received suggest a substantial and consistent income stream over the decades. From early roles in the 1960s to her recent work in film and television, Burstyn has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in the entertainment industry, solidifying her position as a respected and financially successful actress. While detailed breakdowns of her investments and assets are not publicly accessible, the available information paints a picture of a financially secure and accomplished individual.
