Ellen Barkin Biography

Fast Facts

• Won the 2011 Outer Critics Circle special achievement award
• Her brother, George Barkin, is the former editor-in-chief of National Lampoon and High Times magazines
• Studied acting for several years, including at the Actors Studio, and landed her first role in the stage production of "Irish Coffee" in 1980
• Got her start in Hollywood waiting tables and starring in daytime soap operas
• Quote: "I'm a real homebody․ I don't leave my house, almost to the point of being a little bit of a shut-in ․․․ I'm stuck with a book and old movies, that's pretty much the beginning and end of my life․"
• Quote: "I'm not one of those people who hides her beauty secrets because I'm afraid someone’s going to look better than me․"
• After years of performing in several off-Broadway productions, she landed her first Broadway role as Dr․ Brookner in "The Normal Heart․"
• Began her own independent production company in 2005 with her brother, George Barkin