What is Ken Burns’ Net Worth?
Kenneth Lauren Burns is a filmmaker who has a net worth of $3.5 million. He is known for his documentaries and documentary series on historical subjects, such as “The Civil War,” “Jazz,” “Prohibition,” “The Roosevelts,” and “The Vietnam War.”
Burns is recognized for his use of archival footage and the “Ken Burns effect,” a technique which involves slow zooms into and out of photographs. He has received over 20 honorary degrees and numerous awards for his work, including two Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a People’s Choice Award, and a Peabody Award.
The Jerome Liebling Center for Film, Photography and Video at Hampshire College has a wing named after Burns. In 2004, he was given the S. Roger Horchow Award for Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen.
Early Life and Education
Ken Burns was born on July 29, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York to parents involved in academia. He moved frequently throughout his childhood due to his parents’ professions, living in places such as Delaware and France before settling in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Burns’ mother passed away from breast cancer when he was 11 years old. At the age of 17, he received a film camera for his birthday and created a documentary about a factory in Ann Arbor. Burns went on to attend Hampshire College in Massachusetts, graduating in 1975 with a degree in film studies and design. To pay for his tuition, he worked in a record store.
Kenneth Burns’ Media Production Company Florentine Films
In 1976, Kenneth Burns founded Florentine Films with his college classmate Roger Sherman and professor Elaine Mayes. Buddy Squires and Lawrence Hott also joined as founding members soon after. Burns expanded his media production experience by working as a cinematographer for the BBC and other TV networks.
Ken Burns’ Career Highlights
In 1981, Ken Burns directed his first documentary “Brooklyn Bridge,” adapted from David McCullough’s book. He went on to direct several documentaries, including “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “Jazz,” “The War,” and “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” among others. Burns’ films have won numerous awards, including Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, PGA Awards, and Peabody Awards. He also co-directed the feature documentary film “The Central Park Five.” Burns has continued to produce acclaimed documentaries, including “The Vietnam War,” “Country Music,” “Hemingway,” “Muhammad Ali,” and “Benjamin Franklin.”
Burns’ Executive Producer Credits
Ken Burns, in addition to directing documentaries, has also served as an executive producer on several television documentary miniseries. His first executive producing credit was in 1996 for “The West,” directed by Stephen Ives. Burns’ most recent executive producing credit was in 2015 for “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.” He has also executive produced Lynn Novick’s “College Behind Bars” and Chris Durrance and Jack Youngelson’s “The Gene: An Intimate History,” among other works.
Ken Burns’ Honors and Awards
Ken Burns, known for his acclaimed documentaries and films, has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career. In addition to his Oscar nominations, multiple Emmy and Grammy Awards, Burns was awarded the Golden Plate Award and the National Humanities Medal in 1991. He was also honored with the S. Roger Horchow Award for Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen in 2004.
Other notable awards and honors bestowed upon Burns include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Washington University International Humanities Medal, the John Steinbeck Award, and an honorary doctorate from Brown University.
Family Life
Ken Burns married Amy Stechler in 1982 and they had two daughters, Sarah and Lilly. Sarah is a filmmaker, author, and public speaker, while Lilly is a television producer and executive who co-founded Jax Media. Burns and Stechler divorced in 1993. A decade later, Burns married Julie Brown, and they have two daughters, Olivia and Willa.
