Edward Burns - Details

Biography

Edward BurnsEdward Burns has been lucky. Most young people who try and break into the film business meet with little to no success, but not so with Edward Burns. He has not so much been lucky, as he has demonstrated a remarkable talent for someone so young. He broke into the business by writing, directing and starring in his own movie, The Brothers McMullen, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, and since then he hasn't looked back.


Edward Burns was born in the small town of Valley Stream, Long Island in New York State, on January 29th, 1968. His dad was a Police Sergeant and his mom worked for the Federal Aviation Administration at Kennedy Airport. All in all he grew up in a very traditional Irish Catholic family. Burns first attended the State University of New York at Albany and majored in English Literature, but then moved on to Hunter College in New York City where he studied filmmaking for the first time.


After completing several short films, he graduated with big dreams. Edward worked for a time as a production assistant on Entertainment Tonight, gaining experience, making contacts and saving money. Together with younger brother Brian, he formed Irish Twins Productions and scrounged together enough cash to make The Brothers McMullen.


The film gave him the much need exposure he needed to make a go at Hollywood success. He has gone on to pursue both separate directing and acting careers, no small feat for an up-and-comer. Burns followed up The Brothers McMullen with She's the One, a romantic comedy with more mainstream appeal - and audiences warmed to it. Burns also took a role as one of the foot soldiers who go in search of a missing soldier in Saving Private Ryan. The film ended up being one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time - and Burns enjoyed even more growing success. Next up for Burns is Any Given Sunday, a football movie directed Oliver Stone.

Events

  • 29th January 1968 - Birth