fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

Neil Burstyn (July 17, 1939 – November 9, 1978) known as Neil Nephew, was an American actor, writer and story editor.

This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2021)

Neil Nephew, aka Neil J. Burstyn
Born	Neil Bernstein (1939-07-17)July 17, 1939 New York City, U.S.
Died	November 9, 1978(1978-11-09) (aged 39) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Cause of death	Suicide by jumping
Occupation	Actor, writer, story editor
Spouse	Ellen Burstyn ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1972)​

His works as an actor include Panic in Year Zero! (1962), The Rebel Rousers (1970) and Alex in Wonderland (1970). He also worked as a story editor, writing two episodes of The Monkees in late 1967 and in early 1968.

Early life

Nephew was born as Neil Bernstein in New York City. He was married to the actress Ellen Burstyn from 1964 to 1972.[1]

Career

As an actor, Nephew appeared in the film Panic in Year Zero! in the role of Andy. As a writer, he wrote two episodes of The Monkees: "The Monkees' Christmas Show" (Air date: December 25, 1967) and "The Monstrous Monkee Mash" (Air date: January 22, 1968). In 1970, he appeared in the film The Rebel Rousers and in the film Alex in Wonderland with his then wife Ellen Burstyn.

Personal life

Nephew married actress Ellen Burstyn in 1964. In her autobiography, Burstyn states that her husband began to use his grandfather's name, Burstyn, when at that time they were legally Mr. and Mrs. Bernstein. When she received a call from a film producer asking her what name should be used in the credits of Alex in Wonderland, she decided to change her name from Ellen McRae to Ellen Burstyn.[1]

In her autobiography, Burstyn also tells that Nephew was schizophrenic; he would have episodes of violence, and eventually left her. He attempted to reconcile, but she rejected this, ultimately divorcing him in 1972.[2]

Nephew killed himself in 1978 by jumping from the window of his ninth-floor Manhattan apartment, as his depression and schizophrenia began to reach its climax.[2]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1961	The Young Savages	Anthony Aposto/Rocco	Credited as Neil Nephew
1962	Panic in Year Zero!	Andy	Credited as Neil Nephew
1970	The Rebel Rousers	Rebel	Credited as Neil Burstyn
1970	Alex in Wonderland	Norman	Credited as Neil Burstyn

References

External links

• Neil Nephew at IMDb
• Neil Nephew at Find a Grave – as Neil J. Burstyn

---