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Ken Burns (I)

Director | Producer | Cinematographer

Celebrated American documentarian who gradually amassed a considerable reputation and a devoted audience with a series of reassuringly traditional meditations on Americana. Burns' works are treasure troves of archival materials; he skillfully utilizes period music and footage, photographs, periodicals and ordinary people's correspondence... See full bio »

Born:

Kenneth Lauren Burns
in Brooklyn, New York, USA
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31 photos | 6 videos | 509 news articles »

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Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel


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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 22 wins & 20 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideDirector (24 titles)
2016 Vietnam (TV series documentary) (pre-production)
 
2013 Jack Johnson (TV mini-series) (pre-production)
 
2012 The Dust Bowl (TV mini-series)
– Reaping the Whirlwind (2012)
– The Great Plow Up (2012)
 
2012 The Central Park Five (documentary)
 
2011 Prohibition (TV mini-series documentary)
– A Nation of Hypocrites (2011)
– A Nation of Scofflaws (2011)
– A Nation of Drunkards (2011)
 
2009 The National Parks: America's Best Idea (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Morning of Creation: 1946-1980 (2009)
– Great Nature: 1933-1945 (2009)
– Going Home: 1920-1933 (2009)
– The Empire of Grandeur: 1915-1919 (2009)
– The Last Refuge: 1890-1915 (2009)
See all 6 episodes »
 
2007 The War (TV mini-series documentary)
– A World Without War: March 1945 - September 1945 (2007) (co-director)
– The Ghost Front: December 1944 - March 1945 (2007) (co-director)
– FUBAR: September 1944 - December 1944 (2007) (co-director)
– Pride of Our Nation: June 1944 - August 1944 (2007) (co-director)
– A Deadly Calling: November 1943 - June 1944 (2007) (co-director)
See all 7 episodes »
 
2004 Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (documentary)
 
2003 Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip (TV documentary)
 
2001 Mark Twain (TV documentary)
 
2001 Jazz (TV mini-series documentary)
– A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present (2001)
– The Adventure: 1956-1960 (2001)
– Risk: 1945-1955 (2001)
– Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945 (2001)
– Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939 (2001)
See all 10 episodes »
 
1999 Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony (TV mini-series documentary)
 
1998 Frank Lloyd Wright (documentary)
 
1997 Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (TV special documentary)
 
1997 Thomas Jefferson (TV mini-series)
 
1994 Baseball (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Tenth Inning: Bottom of the Tenth (1994)
– The Tenth Inning: Top of the Tenth (1994)
– Home (1994)
– A Whole New Ball Game (1994)
– The Capital of Baseball (1994)
See all 11 episodes »
 
1991 Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (documentary)
 
1990 The Civil War (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) (1990)
– War Is All Hell (1865) (1990)
– Most Hallowed Ground (1864) (1990)
– Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (1990)
– Simply Murder (1863) (1990)
See all 9 episodes »
 
1988 Thomas Hart Benton (TV movie)
 
1988 The Congress (TV documentary)
 
1985 Huey Long (documentary)
 
1985 The Statue of Liberty (documentary)
 
1984 The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God (documentary)
 
1981 Brooklyn Bridge (documentary)
 
Show ShowProducer (27 titles)
2016 Vietnam (TV series documentary) (producer) (pre-production)
 
2013 Jack Johnson (TV mini-series) (executive producer) (pre-production)
 
2012 The Dust Bowl (TV mini-series) (executive producer - 2 episodes, 2012) (producer - 2 episodes, 2012)
– Reaping the Whirlwind (2012) (executive producer, producer)
– The Great Plow Up (2012) (executive producer, producer)
 
Baseball (TV mini-series documentary) (executive producer - 10 episodes, 1994-2012) (producer - 3 episodes, 1994)
– AirHogs vs. Laredo Lemurs (2012) (executive producer)
– The Tenth Inning: Bottom of the Tenth (1994) (producer)
– The Tenth Inning: Top of the Tenth (1994) (producer)
– Home (1994) (executive producer)
– A Whole New Ball Game (1994) (executive producer)
See all 12 episodes »
 
2012 The Central Park Five (documentary) (executive producer, producer)
 
2011 Prohibition (TV mini-series documentary) (executive producer - 2 episodes, 2011) (producer - 1 episode, 2011)
– A Nation of Hypocrites (2011) (executive producer)
– A Nation of Scofflaws (2011) (executive producer)
– A Nation of Drunkards (2011) (producer)
 
2009 The National Parks: America's Best Idea (TV mini-series documentary) (executive producer - 6 episodes, 2009) (producer - 6 episodes, 2009)
– The Morning of Creation: 1946-1980 (2009) (executive producer, producer)
– Great Nature: 1933-1945 (2009) (executive producer, producer)
– Going Home: 1920-1933 (2009) (executive producer, producer)
– The Empire of Grandeur: 1915-1919 (2009) (executive producer, producer)
– The Last Refuge: 1890-1915 (2009) (executive producer, producer)
See all 6 episodes »
 
2008 Medal of Honor (TV documentary) (executive producer)
 
2007 The War (TV mini-series documentary) (executive producer - 7 episodes, 2007) (producer - 7 episodes, 2007)
– A World Without War: March 1945 - September 1945 (2007) (executive producer, producer)
– The Ghost Front: December 1944 - March 1945 (2007) (executive producer, producer)
– FUBAR: September 1944 - December 1944 (2007) (executive producer, producer)
– Pride of Our Nation: June 1944 - August 1944 (2007) (executive producer, producer)
– A Deadly Calling: November 1943 - June 1944 (2007) (executive producer, producer)
See all 7 episodes »
 
2004 Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (documentary) (producer)
 
2003 Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip (TV documentary) (producer)
 
2001 Mark Twain (TV documentary) (producer)
 
2000 Biography (TV series documentary) (executive producer - 1 episode)
– Richard Widmark: Strength of Characters (2000) (executive producer)
 
1999 Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony (TV mini-series documentary) (producer)
 
1998 Frank Lloyd Wright (documentary) (executive producer, producer)
 
1997 Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (TV special documentary) (executive producer, producer)
 
1997 Thomas Jefferson (TV mini-series) (producer)
 
1996 The West (TV series documentary) (executive producer) (senior producer)
 
1991 Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (documentary) (producer)
 
1990 The Civil War (TV mini-series documentary) (executive producer - 9 episodes)
– The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) (1990) (executive producer)
– War Is All Hell (1865) (1990) (executive producer)
– Most Hallowed Ground (1864) (1990) (executive producer)
– Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (1990) (executive producer)
– Simply Murder (1863) (1990) (executive producer)
See all 9 episodes »
 
1990 The American Experience (TV series documentary) (co-producer - 1 episode)
– Lindbergh (1990) (co-producer)
 
1988 Thomas Hart Benton (TV movie) (producer)
 
1988 The Congress (TV documentary) (producer)
 
1985 Huey Long (documentary) (producer)
 
1985 The Statue of Liberty (documentary) (producer)
 
1984 The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God (documentary) (producer)
 
1981 Brooklyn Bridge (documentary) (producer)
 
Show ShowCinematographer (14 titles)
2009 The National Parks: America's Best Idea (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Morning of Creation: 1946-1980 (2009)
– Great Nature: 1933-1945 (2009)
– Going Home: 1920-1933 (2009)
– The Empire of Grandeur: 1915-1919 (2009)
– The Last Refuge: 1890-1915 (2009)
See all 6 episodes »
 
2003 Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip (TV documentary)
 
2001 Mark Twain (TV documentary)
 
1999 Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony (TV mini-series documentary)
 
1998 Frank Lloyd Wright (documentary)
 
1997 Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (TV special documentary)
 
1997 Thomas Jefferson (TV mini-series)
 
1994 Baseball (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Tenth Inning: Bottom of the Tenth (1994)
– The Tenth Inning: Top of the Tenth (1994)
– Home (1994)
– A Whole New Ball Game (1994)
– The Capital of Baseball (1994)
See all 11 episodes »
 
1990 The Civil War (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) (1990)
– War Is All Hell (1865) (1990)
– Most Hallowed Ground (1864) (1990)
– Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (1990)
– Simply Murder (1863) (1990)
See all 9 episodes »
 
1988 The Congress (TV documentary)
 
1985 Huey Long (documentary)
 
1985 The Statue of Liberty (documentary)
 
1984 The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God (documentary)
 
1981 Brooklyn Bridge (documentary)
 
Show ShowWriter (5 titles)
2012 The Central Park Five (documentary)
 
1997 Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (TV special documentary) (book)
 
1994 Baseball (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Tenth Inning: Bottom of the Tenth (1994) (written by)
– The Tenth Inning: Top of the Tenth (1994) (written by)
– Home (1994) (written by)
– A Whole New Ball Game (1994) (written by)
– The Capital of Baseball (1994) (written by)
See all 11 episodes »
 
1991 Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (documentary) (additional)
 
1990 The Civil War (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) (1990) (written by)
– War Is All Hell (1865) (1990) (written by)
– Most Hallowed Ground (1864) (1990) (written by)
– Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (1990) (written by)
– Simply Murder (1863) (1990) (written by)
See all 9 episodes »
 
Show ShowMusic Department (4 titles)
2004 Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (documentary) (music producer)
 
1994 Baseball (TV mini-series documentary) (musical director - 9 episodes)
– Home (1994) (musical director)
– A Whole New Ball Game (1994) (musical director)
– The Capital of Baseball (1994) (musical director)
– The National Pastime (1994) (musical director)
– Shadow Ball (1994) (musical director)
See all 9 episodes »
 
1991 Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (documentary) (musical director)
 
1990 The Civil War (TV mini-series documentary) (musical director - 9 episodes)
– The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) (1990) (musical director)
– War Is All Hell (1865) (1990) (musical director)
– Most Hallowed Ground (1864) (1990) (musical director)
– Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (1990) (musical director)
– Simply Murder (1863) (1990) (musical director)
See all 9 episodes »
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (2 titles)
1993 The Making of 'Gettysburg' (video documentary) (commentary)
 
1990 The American Experience (TV series documentary) (senior creative consultant - 3 episodes)
– Nixon: Part III (1990) (senior creative consultant)
– Richard Nixon: Part II (1990) (senior creative consultant)
– Nixon: Part I (1990) (senior creative consultant)
 
Show ShowActor (3 titles)
2012 The Simpsons (TV series)
Ken Burns
– Moonshine River (2012) … Ken Burns (voice)
 
2012 Glue Man (short)
Ken Burns
 
1993 Gettysburg
Hancock's Aide
 
Show ShowCamera and Electrical Department (2 titles)
2009 The National Parks: America's Best Idea (TV mini-series documentary) (camera operator - 1 episode)
– The Scripture of Nature: 1851-1890 (2009) (camera operator)
 
1990 The American Experience (TV series documentary) (additional cinematographer - 1 episode)
– Lindbergh (1990) (additional cinematographer)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
2004 Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (documentary) (arranger: "Levee Low Moan")
 
Show ShowThanks (5 titles)
2010 Mary and Bill (documentary) (special thanks)
 
2006 Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey (TV documentary) (special thanks)
 
2003 The Making of 'The Devil's Den' (video documentary) (thanks)
 
2001 The Cat's Meow (special thanks)
 
1998 Eternal Memory: Voices from the Great Terror (documentary) (thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (31 titles)
2013 Good Day L.A. (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 10 April 2013 (2013) … Himself
 
2007-2013 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (TV series)
Himself
– Ken Burns (2013) … Himself
– Ken Burns (2007) … Himself
 
2012 The Hour (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #9.63 (2012) … Himself
 
2007-2012 Late Show with David Letterman (TV series)
Himself / Himself - Guest
– Episode #20.32 (2012) … Himself
– Anne Heche/Ken Burns/The Specials (2010) … Himself
– Episode #16.190 (2009) … Himself
– Episode #15.12 (2007) … Himself - Guest
 
1994-2012 Charlie Rose (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 20 November 2012 (2012) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 30 September 2009 (2009) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 25 September 2002 (2002) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 14 January 2002 (2002) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 8 January 2001 (2001) … Himself - Guest
See all 8 episodes »
 
2012 Lessons from the Dust Bowl with Ken Burns (TV movie)
Himself - Guest
 
2012 CBS This Morning (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode #1.221 (2012) … Himself - Guest
 
2005-2012 The Colbert Report (TV series)
Himself - Guest / Himself / Himself - Announcer
– Ken Burns (2012) … Himself - Announcer
– Episode dated 28 September 2011 (2011) … Himself - Guest
– Ken Burns (2010) … Himself - Guest
– Ken Burns (2009) … Himself - Guest
– Ken Burns (2005) … Himself
 
2012 Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself (documentary)
Himself
 
2011 Drinks and Conversation (TV movie)
Himself
 
2011 The Simpsons (TV series)
Himself
– The Ned-Liest Catch (2011) … Himself (voice)
 
2011 Doc Talk (TV series)
Himself
– Change Is Gonna Come (2011) … Himself
 
2010-2011 Prime 9 (TV series)
Himself
– Curve Balls (2011) … Himself
– Greatest Plays at the Plate (2010) … Himself
 
2009-2010 Tavis Smiley (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 24 September 2010 (2010) … Himself
– Episode #7.2 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 28 September 2009 (2009) … Himself
 
2010 A Hall for Heroes: The Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction of 1939 (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2009 Today (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 25 September 2009 (2009) … Himself
 
2003-2007 Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 1 October 2007 (2007) … Himself
– Episode dated 24 September 2003 (2003) … Himself
 
2007 Real Time with Bill Maher (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #5.20 (2007) … Himself
 
2007 Budapest to Gettysburg (documentary)
 
2006 Wordplay (documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Last Call with Carson Daly (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 3 February 2005 (2005) … Himself
 
2005 The Tony Danza Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.72 (2005) … Himself
 
2003 100 Years of the World Series (video documentary)
Himself
 
2002-2003 ESPN SportsCentury (TV series documentary)
Himself
– New York Yankees: Part 1 (2003) … Himself
– Yogi Berra (2002) … Himself
– 1988 (2002) … Himself
 
2003 Tribeca Film Festival Presents (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2002 Independent View (TV series documentary)
Himself
 
2002 The Tim McCarver Show (TV series)
Himself - Guest
 
2001 Boston Red Sox: 100 Years of Baseball History (video documentary)
Himself - Interviewee
 
2000 Great Performances (TV series)
Himself
– Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in Animation (2000) … Himself
 
1993 The Making of 'Gettysburg' (video documentary)
Himself - Filmmaker
 
1991 The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Accepting Award for Favourite Mini-Series
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Book (with D. C. Ward): "Jazz: A History of America's Music"

Publicity Listings:

4 Interviews  | 5 Articles  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Kenneth Lauren Burns
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on the plowing up of the Great Plains and resultant dust bowl years] The old ranchers were saying 'Wrong side up'. The Indians knew it was not right, that these buffalo grasses sent their roots five feet down to suck the moisture, but also hold the topsoil evolved over thousands of years. All of a sudden we were turning over that grass in an area larger than Ohio... See more »

Trivia:

Ken Burns' great great grandfather Abraham W. Burns (1833-1911) was a private in McClanahan's Company, Virginia Horse Artillery also known as the Staunton Artillery (Confederate) during the War between the States. He also served in Company K,52nd Virginia Infantry. See more »

Trademark:

Takes a single photograph or painting, and utilizes close ups, music, voice overs and sound effects to make it seem like a lengthy action sequence. See more »

Star Sign:

Leo