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Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn, one of the most revered performers of her generation, will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
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The award recognizes Burstyn’s career spanning more than five decades across film, television, and theatre, from 1970s classics like “The Exorcist” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” to modern hits like “Interstellar.”
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She is one of the few performers in history to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting,” having secured an Academy Award, an Emmy, and a Tony Award.
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The 93-year-old icon is the second lifetime honoree announced for this year’s edition, joining George Clooney for the festival, which runs from September 2 to 12, 2026.
July 14, (THEWILL) — Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, honoring a career that has spanned more than five decades.
The festival announced the honor on July 14 following a recommendation from artistic director Alberto Barbera.
The 93-year-old actress is best known for her performances in “The Last Picture Show”, “The Exorcist”, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”, “Requiem for a Dream”, and “Interstellar.”
She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and is also an Emmy and Tony Award winner, making her one of the few performers to achieve the prestigious “Triple Crown of Acting.”
Reacting to the announcement, Burstyn said she was delighted to return to one of her favorite cities. “I feel so honored, so happy, and so filled with gratitude,” she said in a statement.
Honored for a Lifetime in Film
Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera described Burstyn as “an actress of rare intensity and truth,” praising her ability to bring depth, emotion, and authenticity to her performances throughout her career.
He also highlighted her collaborations with some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed directors, including Martin Scorsese, William Friedkin, Peter Bogdanovich, Darren Aronofsky, Christopher Nolan, and Paul Schrader.
Burstyn will receive the Golden Lion during the premiere of “Flesh Impact”, a short film directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The film also stars Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard, and Sepideh Moafi, and is inspired by the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Founded in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival is the world’s oldest film festival and one of the most prestigious. Held each year on the Lido island in Venice, Italy, it is part of the Venice Biennale cultural exhibition.
An international jury selects winners from a lineup of films from around the world, with the Golden Lion regarded as one of the festival’s highest honors for outstanding contributions to cinema.
Actor, director, and producer George Clooney was announced as the festival’s other Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement recipient on July 6.
Both Clooney and Burstyn will receive their awards during the festival, which will run from September 2 to 12.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
