Edward Fitzgerald Burns was born January 29, 1968 in Woodside, Queens, New York. He is the second of three children of Molly (McKenna), who worked for the Federal Aviation Administration at Kennedy Airport, and Edward J. Burns, a police sergeant and active spokesperson for the New York Police Dept. He was raised Catholic, and is of Irish, and one eighth Swedish, descent. Edward, along with his older sister, Mary, and brother, Brian, were raised in Long Island. He attended Catholic Chaminade High School before transferring to a public high school. He went on to attend The State University of New York at Albany and Oneonta College in New York to major in English literature. During his junior year he transferred to Hunter College in Manhattan, studied filmmaking and began writing the first of many short films.
Upon graduating, and through his father's connections, he secured a job at Entertainment Tonight (1981) (TV) in 1993 working at as a "go-fer". There he was able to finance and begin working on 麦克马伦兄弟 (1995), a comedy focusing on the trials and tribulations facing three Irish-Catholic siblings. It was shot primarily in his parents' Long Island home with a cast of unknowns including Burns himself and his then-girlfriend 玛克辛·巴恩斯. The feature was filmed over eight months' time with a reported budget of only $ 30,000. Rejected by a series of distributors, 麦克马伦兄弟 (1995) bowed at Sundance, after Burns had given 罗伯特·雷德福 a copy of the film while working on ET. In 1995 his film won the festival's Grand Jury Prize, becoming one of the most successful independent efforts of the year. He then sold the film to 20th Century Fox's Searchlight Pictures.
For his follow-up Burn's wrote and directed 爱是唯一 (1996), which retained much of McMullen's cast and crew, including girlfriend Maxine. He was also able to cast up-and-coming stars 詹妮弗·安妮斯顿 and 卡梅隆·迪亚兹 in pivotal roles, with original music from rocker Petty, Tom. Filmed with a larger budget of almost $3 million, the romantic comedy successfully premiered during the summer of 1996 . Burns soon began work on his third feature, _No Looking Back_, a romantic drama set in a coastal town's working-class community. Burn's career seemed to be flourishing, but his personal relationship with Bahns, to whom he became engaged, ended after eight years. During filming of 爱情临界点 (1998), there were reported romantic sightings with Burns and his co-star 罗伦·荷莉. The relationship seemed to end when the film was released in 1998. That same year, Burns co-starred in the 史蒂文·斯皮尔伯格 World War II epic 拯救大兵瑞恩 (1998). After that pivotal role in one of the greatest films of all time, Burns continued a good year, and a new relationship with 海瑟·格拉汉姆. In an interview with USA Weekly Magazine, Heather stated they met in a bar in LA, exchanged numbers and had numerous conversations. Burns then flew back to New York and she flew to east to see him a month later. Soon after Burns and Heather were seen at many premieres and events. It was also reported that couple was living together. But their relationship ended after two years. Although they were dating during the filming of his next project 千钧一刻 (2001) starring along side 罗伯特·德尼罗, Burns attended the premiere with none other than 克里斯蒂·特林顿. While his next few films did not make much of a dent in the box office including his film 出情致胜 (2001), which co-starred Heather Graham. His relationship with Christy was getting hot and heavy. The couple got engaged in 2001. It was then reported their engagement was called off, but the couple reunited after a 7-month split. Burns and Christy finally married on June 7, 2003 and welcomed their first child Grace, later that year Grace, on October 25. Burns' most recent projects include writing and directing 伴郎团 (2006) and 紫罗兰 (2007). He welcomed his second child, son Finn, (Feb/2006) with wife Christy.
Burns is committed to writing and directing his own films. He's not affected by his futile work and continues his own projects with poise. Tackling touchy relationship subjects and pioneering real-life matters. With his panoply of 伍迪·艾伦 -like films, there is no doubt Edward Burns will continue to dazzle us with his undeniable talent while gaining the recognition he deserves as a great writer and director.
Owns two production companies. One with brother 布莱恩·伯恩斯: "Irish Twins". The other is called "Marlboro Road Gang Films", named for the road on Long Island that he grew up on.
Has a degree in English from Hunter College, where fellow actors 范·迪塞尔 and Sam Feuer, attended. All three got their big break from 史蒂文·斯皮尔伯格.
Purchased the Manhattan loft on N. Moore Street of the late Kennedy, Jr, John F. for over $2 million in 2000.
Got his role in 天算不如人算 (2002) after 爱德华·诺顿 dropped out of the project.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his performance in the film 一声惊雷 (2005), however, he failed to receive a nomination.
Grew up in Valley Stream, New York, as did actors 史蒂夫·布西密, 詹姆斯·马丁, and 拉里·米勒.
Was reportedly offered several studio scripts to direct before deciding to continue his independent film career with Nice Guy Johnny (2010).
He always includes references to Long Island, New York
Frequently collaborates with 麦克斯·贝克, 丹尼斯·法里纳, 凯瑞·碧许, 迈克·麦格隆, and 'David Krumholtz' (I).
Use of handheld cameras
Often makes movies about Irish-Americans
Frequently employs musician 'P. T. Walkley' as composer for his films.
Frequently cast as cops or special investigators ("One Missed Call", "Man On A Ledge", etc.)
Surprisingly high-pitched yet husky voice
Often films in New York
Frequently casts himself
