Hollywood Legend Reveals the Daily Habits That Keep Her Thriving at 93

Clear Facts

• Ellen Burstyn, 93, credits her longevity to eliminating alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and meat from her lifestyle
• The Oscar winner maintains a plant-based diet, exercises daily with a trainer, and walks regularly in Central Park
• Burstyn says her career has never been busier, challenging the narrative of ageism in Hollywood

Ellen Burstyn is proving that the key to a long, productive life lies in discipline and good choices. The 93-year-old actress recently shared the lifestyle habits that have kept her healthy and working well into her ninth decade.

During an appearance on the “Literally! With Rob Lowe” podcast, the Oscar winner laid out the changes she made decades ago that transformed her health. Burstyn, who just released her new book “Poetry Says It Better: Poems to Help You Wake Up,” explained the specific habits she eliminated from her life.

“I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t smoke cigarettes anymore. I don’t smoke marijuana anymore,” Burstyn said.

She continued, “I don’t eat meat. I have a plant-based diet. I exercise, walk my dog several mornings a week or almost every morning a week, and have a trainer, workout in the gym.”

“So I live a healthy life and it pays off,” Burstyn added.

The “Exorcist” star told “Live With Kelly and Mark” co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos that she exercises every day and particularly enjoys walks through New York City’s Central Park.

“That’s how you get to be 93 and still kicking,” Burstyn told the hosts.

In a 2023 conversation with her “Law and Order: Organized Crime” co-star Christopher Meloni for Interview magazine, Burstyn reflected on her decision to embrace healthier living. The “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” actress identified eating well, becoming a vegetarian, and avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs as pivotal choices.

“That’s what I decided after doing all those bad things for a couple of decades,” she said.

Beyond physical health, Burstyn emphasized the importance of mental sharpness. She keeps her mind active through reading, creative work, and maintaining an engaged social life — all elements of a well-rounded approach to aging gracefully.

At 90, Burstyn challenged the notion that Hollywood is hostile to older actors. In fact, she said her career had never been busier.

“This is so bizarre. I turn 91 in December and I’m busier than I can ever remember being at any point in my career,” she told Meloni.

“And I don’t understand it at all,” she continued. “I mean, what’s all this stuff about ageism in Hollywood? How did I get left out of it?”

When Meloni asked why her career remained so robust, the Michigan native offered a characteristically humble explanation.

“I don’t know, except possibly that everybody else who could play those parts has already died, so I’m the only actress still standing who can play the great-grandmother or something,” she said.

Burstyn shared that her daily routine begins with gratitude — a practice that keeps her energized and motivated to continue working.

“I try to have the first words out of my mouth be, ‘Thank you,'” she said. “Thank you that I’m alive. Thank you that I’m safe. Thank you that I’m healthy. Thank you that I’m 90 and still going. Thank you for my doggies. I mean, I have a lot to live in a state of gratitude for.”

In “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” Burstyn played Bernadette “Bernie” Stabler, the troubled, bipolar mother of Meloni’s character Detective Elliot Stabler. She originated the role during the tenth season of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in the episode “Swing,” earning a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding guest actress in a series for her performance. She became a recurring guest star in “Law & Order: Organized Crime” starting in the spinoff’s second season in 2021.

Last month, NBC announced that it had canceled “Law & Order: Organized Crime” after five seasons.

Burstyn will next be seen in the upcoming drama film “Place To Be,” which also stars Taika Waititi, Pamela Anderson, Édgar Ramírez, Lena Waithe, Murray Bartlett and Maika Monroe.

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