Jere Burns Biography (2)

Burns was born and raised just outside of Boston, Massachusetts as the oldest of four sons. His early interest in theater was stoked by frequent trips to plays with his parents in and around Boston. He went on to obtain a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and later studied acting at the master of fine arts program at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

After wrapping his academic career, Burns headed to the New York Shakespeare Festival and then to Joseph Papp's Public Theatre. He was the general understudy in Steppenwolf's off-Broadway production of True West before eventually starring in the Obie award-winning play. He came to Los Angeles in 1984 to appear in the feature film Touch and Go, starring Michael Keaton (the film allowed Burns to use his ice-hockey skills.) He soon amassed more big-screen credits such as Hit List, Wired, Beverly Hills Cop II Greedy, Mother Ghost and Santa Fe.

Burns starred as a regular on the series Dear John (1988-92), Bob (1993-94), The Mommies (1994- 95) and Something So Right (1996-98). Among his television guest-starring credits are recurring roles on Max Headroom and Hill Street Blues as well as Riptide, Crime Story and Hunter. His TV movies include Cradle Song and Luck of the Draw: The Gambler Returns. The actor appeared on stage in Sarcophagus at the Los Angeles Theater Center and Gillette and most recently in Diva at the La Jolla Playhouse.

Off the set, Burns has competed in triathlons, runs in marathons, and enjoys extreme skiing, wakeboarding and surfing. He has three teenaged children.

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