Gabriel Byrne is an extraordinary human being. We have two extraordinary kids and we work at it. We were always friends. He stuck by me through very hard times, and I hope he'd say the same about me.

In 2007 Barkin sued Perelman for $3. In 2005 Barkin set up a film production company with her brother George along with her husband at the time and billionaire investor Ronald Perelman. She is an outspoken Twitter user.

As of 2012[update] Ellen Barkin stars as Jane Forrest (Nana) in the NBC sitcom The New Normal. Ellen Rona Barkin (born April 16 1954) is an American actress known for her roles in the films The Big Easy Sea of Love and Switch.