Owns his own production company with brother Brian Burns: "Irish Twins".
While working as a "go-for" at "Entertainment Tonight" (1981), he financed (for about 15G's), produced, and directed his first film, The Brothers McMullen (1995), in his spare time. Once completed, he got a copy to Robert Redford during an appearance he made at ET. Soon after, Mr. Burns quit his job at ET.
Worked for "Entertainment Tonight" (1981).
Has a degree in English from Hunter College.
Father, Edward J. Burns, was a policeman/spokesman for the NY Police Dept.
Has one sister and one brother.
Is the middle child.
Purchased the late 'John F. Kennedy, Jr.' 's Manhattan loft on N. Moore Street for over $2 million. [2000]
Engaged to model Christy Turlington [2001]
Got his role in Life or Something Like It (2002) after Edward Norton dropped out of the project.
Has the same birthday (January 29) as ex-girlfriend Heather Graham
Broke off his engagement to Christy Turlington, but the couple reunited in October 2002 after a seven-month split.
Son of Edward J. Burns and brother of Brian Burns
Is an Irish-American
Daughter, Grace, was born on October 25th, 2003 in New York
Edward 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.
