Edward Burns

Lauded by critics and audiences alike, EDWARD 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. The film also won "Best First Feature" at the 1996 Independent Spirit Awards.

Burns' second film, the romantic comedy She's The Onestarring Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz, reinforced Burns' versatile talent as a writer, director, and actor able to simultaneously and successfully wear multiple hats.

Burns continues to write, direct, star in and produce his films, including the Paramount Classics relationship comedy Sidewalks of New York, Purple Violets, and Nice Guy Johnny. In a groundbreaking deal, Purple Violets was the first feature film to premiere exclusively on iTunes.

His 10th feature film as a writer, director and actor is the romantic drama NEWLYWEDS, which premiered at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF). Burns has been involved with TFF since the festival's inception in 2002. Newlyweds was his 6th film to be featured at TFF and closed the festival.

As an actor, Burns starred opposite Tom Hanks and Matt Damon in Steven Spielberg's critically acclaimed World War II epic Saving Private Ryan. He also starred in the thriller 15 Minutes opposite Robert De Niro, Confidence opposite Dustin Hoffman, and the 20th Century Fox romantic comedy hit 27 Dresses opposite Katherine Heigl and in Man on a Ledge opposite Sam Worthington and Elizabeth Banks, as well as in Jennifer Westfeldt's Friends With Kids.

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 before quickly moving on to make The Brothers McMullen.
He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

© 2012 Summit Entertainment