The Life and Struggles of Hollywood Legend Ellen Burstyn

In the early 1950s, she worked as a dancer, model, and performer under names including Kerri Flynn. Those jobs helped her support herself while also giving her experience with audiences, appearance, movement, and professional presentation.

At the same time, she was still far from the respected dramatic actress she would become. Modeling and dancing placed her in public view, but she would later resist building her entire career on looks alone. For now, she was still experimenting with identity, and a bigger move was coming.