EdwardBurns.net
Title
Edward Burns :: Film Director | Actor | Writer
Description
Excerpted from the website description:
- Award-winning director, writer, producer and actor, Ed Burns continues to entertain audiences. His trademark independent filmmaking and character-driven works often take an intimate look at the complexities of relationships - between friends and amongst family - and the charming intricacies of city dwelling and suburban aspirations. Lauded by critics and audiences alike, Burns gained international recognition for his first feature THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN which premiered in competition at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Grand Jury prize. The film, which Burns wrote, directed and starred in, was shot on a budget of only $25,000 and went on to gross over $10 million at the domestic box office, making it the most profitable film of 1995 and establishing Burns as an independent film icon. The film also won Best First Feature at the 1996 Independent Spirit Awards. Burns' second film, the romantic comedy SHE'S THE ONE starring Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz, reinforced Burns' versatile talent as a writer, director, and actor able to simultaneously and successfully wear multiple hats. His subsequent features, including Gramercy Pictures' intimate drama NO LOOKING BACK (Lauren Holly, Jon Bon Jovi), Paramount Classics' romantic comedy ensemble SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK (Heather Graham, Brittany Murphy, Rosario Dawson, Stanley Tucci, and David Krumholtz), and the 1980's-set drama ASH WEDNESDAY, which starred Burns and Elijah Wood as two New York brothers trying to escape their past, further grounded his reputation as an invaluable voice in the independent filmmaking community and beyond. In the summer of 2006, audiences were treated to Burns' 7th film, THE GROOMSMEN, again highlighting his multifaceted talent as writer, director, and actor, with Brittany Murphy, John Leguizamo, Jay Mohr, Matthew Lillard and Donal Logue. The film opened in major markets to critical acclaim and is now available on DVD. Burns' feature LOOKING FOR KITTY also was released in 2006. Distributed in partnership with THINKfilm and shot within the modest budget of $250 thousand, Looking for Kitty was written and directed by Burns and stars the writer/director alongside David Krumholtz, and received Two Thumbs Up from Ebert and Roeper. Most recently, Burns completed principal photography on the film PURPLE VIOLETS, his 8th film in which he has written, directed, and starred in since his debut feature in 1995. In a groundbreaking deal, Purple Violets will be the first feature film to premiere exclusively on iTunes. Starring Burns Selma Blair, Debra Messing and Patrick Wilson, Purple Violets is sure to deliver quintessential Ed Burns humor and insight into human relations and the struggles and joys of what his films have connected many audiences to, the thirty-something coming of age. Burns' many other accomplishments include an acting resume highlighting starring roles opposite Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamatti and Andy Garcia in director James Foley's CONFIDENCE, which had it's world premiere at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, opposite Angelina Jolie in 20th Century Fox's romantic comedy LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT, and in New Line's FIFTEEN MINUTES co-starring Robert De Niro. Burns also starred opposite Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg's SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, the critically acclaimed World War II epic which marked the first work in which Burns acted in a film he did not write and direct himself. In addition to his acclaimed film career, Edward Burns is continuing to make his mark in television, guest starring as himself in the critically acclaimed HBO series ENTOURAGE, while also developing a one-hour show with Steven Spielberg for the Fox Network, centering on five twenty-somethings in the fashion industry. Burns will direct and is writing and executive producing with his wife Christy Turlington. His television credits also include serving alongside his brother as creators and executive producers of the half-hour comedy The Fighting Fitzgeralds for NBC starring Golden Globe winner Brian Dennehy. Burns recently appeared in Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy HOLIDAY, opposite Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law, having just completed production on ONE MISSED CALL, a thriller for Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment, in which he starred and will be released wide in January of 2008. Burns also co-starred in the Fox 2000/Spyglass romantic comedy 27 DRESSES, which also stars Katherine Heigl, Malin Ackerman and James Marsden. That film is scheduled for wide release in January 2008 as well. Ed Burns was born in Woodside, Queens and raised on Long Island. While at Hunter College in New York City, Burns switched his focus from English to filmmaking, quickly going on to make The Brothers McMullen. When the film won the Grand Jury Prize at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival, Redford was so impressed with Burns' talents that he served as executive producer on both She's The One and No Looking Back. Burns serves as a National Ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Languages
English
