Ellen Barkin

Actress Ellen Barkin is known for her powerful performances and versatile roles on both stage and screen. Born and raised in the Bronx, Barkin grew up in a middle-class Jewish family, where her passion for acting developed at a young age. She actively pursued theater while attending Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts, then enrolling at Hunter College, where she graduated with a double major in drama and history. While studying at Hunter, she immersed herself in the school's theater program—honing her acting skills and developing a deep appreciation for the craft. Barkin continued her education at New York's Actor's Studio, and her acting career began in 1979 with small parts in television and a number of Off Broadway productions.

In 1982, she made her film debut in Diner, a coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Barry Levinson. Her performance received critical acclaim, and she went on to a series of high-profile roles in films such as The Big Easy, Sea of Love, and This Boy's Life. In 1991, she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her performance in Switch. She has been nominated for several Emmy Awards, including for her roles in the television series, Before Women Had Wings and The New Normal.

In addition to her acting career, Barkin has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and social justice causes. She has returned to Hunter on a number of occasions, and in 2005 she was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her achievements.