Irish-American Filmmaker

Background:

"I feel Irish-Americans are the forgotten minority group. Nobody else is making films about them. You have Woody Allen and Paul Mazursky making films about Jewish Americans, you have Martin Scorsese and Francis Coppola making films about Italian-Americans and you have Spike and John Singleton making films about African-Americans. Who is making films about Irish-Americans?" Edward Burns.

Part Irish, part American, actor and filmmaker Edward Burns won recognition for creating and acting in his debut film The Brothers McMullen in 1995. He went on to create films She's the One (1996) and No Looking Back (1998) shortly after.

Edward Burns, nicknamed Eddie, was involved with several actresses before his marriage. In 1989 he dated and planned to marry costar actress in The Brothers McMullen and She's the One, Maxine Bahns (born on February 28, 1971), but they split up in March 1997. In the film No Looking Back, Eddie met and dated actress Lauren Holly. After their breakup, Eddie became involved with another actress, Heather Graham (born January 29, 1970).

Alter Boy

Childhood and Family:

The middle child of the family, Edward J. Burns. Jr. was born on January 28, 1968 to parents Edward J. Burns (retired police sergeant, also the executive producer of Brothers McMullen) and Molly Burns (Federal Aviation Administration at Kennedy Airport). Born in Woodside, Queens County, New York, Eddie, along with older sister Mary Burns (born in 1963) and younger brother Brian Burns (producer, screenwriter; born on February 1969), grew up on Long Island.

Eddie, a big fan of basketball, golf, and fishing, studied English in Oneonta College, New York, and then transferred to State University of New York, Albany. In 1988, he moved to Hunter College in Manhattan to study cinematography and finally got his B.A. in English. Growing up in a conventional Irish Catholic family, Eddie was once an alter boy.

"I suffer from Irish-Catholic guilt. Guilt is a good reality check. It keeps that 'do what makes you happy' thing in check." Eddie Burns.

In 2001, Eddie became engaged to model Christy Turlington (born January 2, 1969) and two years later on June 7, the couple exchanged vows in a Catholic ceremony at the Saints Peter and Paul's Church in North Beach. Their daughter Grace was born on October 25th, 2003 in New York.

Eddie's Drive

Career:

Initiating his screenplay writing while studying at Hunter College, Edward Burns has worked for such brief films as 15 minute Hey, Sco. After graduation he became a part-time production assistant for the show The Reporters and managed to create the independent film Brandy.

With Entertainment Tonight, Eddie elaborated on the family comedy The Brothers McMullen (1995). Despite its unfamiliar casts, the film achieved rave reviews at Sundance and took home the festival's Grand Jury Prize.

Next to follow, in 1996, was romantic comedy She's The One. The film's cast members including such beauties as Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz as well as Maxine Bahns and Mike McGlone. Framed with Tom Petty's original soundtrack, the film gained public notice. It was soon followed with the 1998's romance-drama No Looking Back (Lauren Holly and Jon Bon Jovi).

As for his acting roles, Eddie portrayed the most memorable role of private Reiben in the huge Steven Spielberg World War II classic Saving Private Ryan (1998). The next year Eddie appeared in the football drama Any Given Sunday, an Oliver Stone's project.

Eddie continued to be cast in motion pictures, notably in 15 Minutes (2001), Sidewalks of New York (2001), both of which he directed and Life or Something Like It (2002). He is also seen in his creation Ash Wednesday (2002), Confidence (2003, directed by James Foley), and his more recent Looking for Kitty (2004). Forthcoming films include A Sound of Thunder, The River King, and his untitled Football Project.

Always passionate about creating good films, Eddie co-owns the production company Irish Twins with brother Brian Burns.

Burns once stated, "If all goes well, I'll be making films for the rest of my life, so I don't feel the need to make my $100 million box-office classic right now. I've made two movies. I don't know a thing about filmmaking. Ten years from now, when I've made another 10 movies, maybe I'll have the chops to make a great film."

Awards:

• NATO/ShoWest: Screenwriter of the Year (1996)
• PGA Golden Laurel: Nova Award - Most Promising Producer in Theatrical Motion Pictures, The Brothers Mcmullen, 1996
• Sundance Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic), The Brothers McMullen, 1995
• Independent Spirit Award: Best First Feature, The Brothers McMullen, 1995