The Actors Studio - Ellen Burstyn (2006)

Actor Ellen Burstyn talks about The Actors Studio, why Lee Strasberg was the greatest acting teacher of the century, what inspired her to become an actor, the myths around the Method, the experience of making "The Exorcist" (1973), working with a young Martin Scorsese on "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974), Hollywood in the 1970s and her hopes for the future.

[@joycehandersonfriends3225]

I'm a big fan of Ellen Burstyn. She's brilliant here. My favorite film of hers was "Resurrection." It seems that when her achievements are listed, most lists forget this awesome film.

[@stevegnoble]

Ellen is my favorite actor above and beyond all others. "Resurrection" has been my favorite film since 1980. People usually respond with, resurr-what? Ironically, many years later my second favorite film, "The Fountain" by Aronofsky, features Ellen in the brief role of Dr. Lillian.

[@EM-lz9kg]

Thanks I check it out again

[@acopp6891]

One word came to my mind after watching this interview in black and white: Wisdom. She has some kind of mystical vibe or mannerism when she speaks that makes me want to listen to her for ages and learn

[@pam0626]

Her thought process, her diction and delivery are so laser-focused.

[@lino928]

196 views... For this fantastic clip??? No comment. She is, great and uniqe. You Know how I do Know???, because every word is so clear and understandbile.... So full of life

[@sandrashevey8252]

A wonderful image and a hopeful message to end on in the interview. Well done Ellen Burstyn!!

[@EM-lz9kg]

2023 & still EB is incredible as ever

[@matthewcloranmusic7745]

Ahhh! What a soul. What a talent. Extraordinary woman and artist. Great, great interview. Thank you!

[@FrankCalero-oi7tx]

When it comes to acting she was a natural, the beautiful Ellen Burstyn

[@vickilanger1228]

The always captivating ELLEN BURSTYN! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@teresalinton5898]

i love ellen burstyn--excellent actress

[@scottbrandts610]

"...Why is it so crucial for me to be PERFECT? Of course, I'm not..." Very sorry, Ms. Burstyn, but you ARE! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@mauricegiacche4776]

Ellen Burstyn was ROBBED of an Oscar for Requiem For a Dream!!!! Julia Roberts won…will you give me a break??? At the time Burstyn had not only accrued a phenomenal body of work (The Last Picture Show, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (Scorcese directed) for which she did win an Oscar , The Exorcist and so forth. Up until then Roberts was ordinary at best. However, Roberts did up her game. Her performance in Gaslit with Sean Penn was a star-turn.

[@benoitpiche5574]

À cette époque, Montréal était encore sous le joug de la religion catholique, le film était un documentaire fiction sur un sujet tabou, les forces du mal, le chaos. Alors je comprend très bien la fascination des québécois pour le chef-d’œuvre ultime de l’horreur. Ce film me terrifie encore aujourd’hui. J’ai vu ce film à 12 ans et il a profondément marqué ma psyché. La maison de Georgetown à la Magrite , la musique , les acteurs ,la scénarisation, la réalisation magnifique et terrifiante. Bravo Mme Burstyn et pour moi votre film, Alice n’est plus ici est une ode à nos mère, un très, très grand film, un oscar très mérité. J’ai vu ce film vers 12 ans aussi et j’ai pleuré devant le drame de cette mère , de cette femme, on y aperçoit Jodie Foster, merci.❤❤❤❤

[@sandrashevey8252]

I interviewed Ellen at her home in Nyack, New York in the Seventies. Agree with her about the change in the industry. Came all of a sudden. Rather shocking as it makes you think there is someone up there writing a script who knows what`s coming but you only see installments. The Seventies was the End of the Golden Age. Marty Scorsese is not my favourite. I prefer Bogdanovich (whom I interviewed), Hal Ashby, James Goldstone, Henry Jaglom, Bob Rafelson and of course THE GIANT Roman Polanski (not only great within his own time but eternally. He is a classic and thank G-d still alive and working)

[@DJ-bj8ku]

What about Alan Pakula?

[@ryanburton5783]

Great interview, thanks for posting

[@CharlesMatheny]

Keep in mind that Kazan's praise of Strasberg was probably when he was trying to get him to take over the Studio. I'm glad Burstyn and Pacino felt helped by him. Lee admitted them to the Studio. You tend to appreciate that. I was an observer there. Brando, Clift, Maureen Stapleton, Arthur Miller, George C. Scott and others had issues with Lee Strasberg.

[@garycarpenter6433]

I'm just surprised that she's still here after doing a cursed movie with Linda Blair and this interview is really good

[@lakshmanparthiban1339]

I want to go there

[@dr.aniasara7038]

I met William Friedkin's family after his passing. His beautiful widow was so gracious. His son was dating a friend I worked with and we drove out to Malibu Colony Where Audrey and the family were staying at the time. That's when I fell in love with Malibu. My friend Jeri and I sat on the sand at the ocean with a glass of wine in the dark behind the house. Oh what wonderful privacy that was. I even remember the dinner Audrey prepared and served with such kindness.

[@rockhero2274]

William Friedkin is still alive! He's 85 alive and kicking.

[@sethfelson]

@@rockhero2274 Not to mention that he's married to Sherry Lansing. I've tried to figure out WHO she thinks it is...

[@losfeliz3485]

You should let Friedkin know he's dead.

[@dr.aniasara7038]

Yes, there were good stories, and not just sex and guns.

[@xtraspecialmango]

She is so cool ❤

[@sfdungeon]

Applause Applause!!

[@sandrashevey8252]

People stood for 24 hrs longer in rain, snow, sleet to get tickets for Judy Garland, the Beatles, the STones...`The Exorcist` was mega for a different reason I think. To see an exorcism..exciting to all, particularly to Cathollics. I never saw the film. Not my cuppa tea.

[@randywhite3947]

You should watch the film it’s excellent

[@sandrashevey8252]

@@randywhite3947 Gruesome Catholicism. We get enough of that with Covid and Shutdown and Vaxxing. We are living victims of exorcism.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

I watched the exorcist, but I would never watch it again. I don't want to inadvertently invite anything into my life.

[@sandrashevey8252]

@@jeffalbillar7625 `The Exorcist` is pure exploitation ie Prter Blatty who had studied I believe to become a priest. `Psycho` is meaningful exploitation inasmuch as you get some sense of Hitchcock`s corollary with the Holocaust.

[@sandrashevey8252]

Considering Olivier was a +++ with Marilyn Monroe, probably the Actors Studio`s most famous exponent, I can believe Oliver said it exactly as folk lore has it. Not a nice man!

[@sandrashevey8252]

No America has sold out Americans We used to have a national film industry. Britain did too. Now we have a multi-national film industry. Films have to appeal to some yob in ++++ as well as an intellectual in Texas or Pennsylvania. There no longer is a cultural denominator. We are subjected to the manners and morals and mores of the worst sleaze in some pit stop you would not want to know about. It`s like `Playboy` being forced down our throats because it is multi-national (appeals to everyone, lowest common) and makes heaps of money. Well ++++ the multinational film corporations. We want our culture back and we want our film industry back.

[@johnflynn9619]

She is Very Slow in this Interview.

[@sethfelson]

you don't 'get' her...

[@scottbrandts610]

Age, maybe (?)... If that's how "slow" looks at her age, I'll have absolutely no issues hitting that point when my time comes! Untouchable marvellous woman!!!

[@sfdungeon]

I'm scratching my head...your comment is absolutely absurd. It's your opinion perhaps, but it certainly is just that... your opinion. I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this interview and her incredibly in-depth answers and sharing.

[@THEJET52]

Deliberate

[@thedailyremedy968]

What do you mean she is slow? What is Elkhart tolle then? 😂

[@debramorales4283]

She's Suttle..But Makes An Impact Where Impact Is Needed! I Realllly Hope She's Teaching Others Like Strasburg Did👍👍👍