Tim Burton

Date of Birth: August 25, 1958
Place of Birth: Burbank, California, USA

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Tim Burton Biography

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Director, producer, screenwriter. Born August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California. As a child, Burton was engrossed with the classic horror films of Roger Corman—many of which featured quintessential screen villain Vincent Price. Burton also developed a penchant for drawing and enrolled at the California Institute of Arts, where he majored in animation. In 1980, upon his graduation, he began working as an apprentice animator for Walt Disney Studios. Within a year, Burton grew tired with his work at Disney and decided to strike out on his own. In 1982, he released the award-winning short Vincent, which paid homage to the enduring work of his childhood idol. In 1984, Burton created a unique version of the Frankenstein story with the live-action short Frankenweenie. Impressed with Frankenweenie, Paul Reubens commissioned Burton to direct the wildly inventive comedy Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985). The success of Pee-wee's Big Adventure brought about other opportunities, including the 1988 ghost story Beetlejuice starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis. Often considered the prototypical Burton film, Beetlejuice was recognized for its visual flair and interwoven themes of fantasy and horror.After forming his own production company, Burton directed the lavish production Batman (1989). With a cast that included Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, and Kim Basinger, the stylized feature became the first film to sell $100 million in the first 10 days of release. The following year, Burton helmed the bizarre but touching film Edward Scissorhands. Featuring notable performances by up-and-coming stars Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder (as well as Price's final feature role as the eccentric inventor), Edward Scissorhands was acclaimed for being both a social satire and a simple tale of love and intolerance. Directing an ensemble that included Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Walken, Burton reteamed with Keaton for the 1992 Batman sequel, Batman Returns. The following year, he produced the animated musical Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Created with the painstaking process of stop-motion animation, the film became a critical and commercial success, while Burton was credited for his technical prowess. In 1994, Burton cast Johnny Depp as the title character in Ed Wood—a black-and-white portrait of a middling filmmaker and his all-consuming passion to succeed. Although critically praised (Martin Landau won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a drug-addicted Bela Lugosi), the film failed to appeal to mass audiences. After producing the third installment Batman Forever (1995) and the animated feature James and the Giant Peach (1996), Burton directed the sci-fi spoof Mars Attacks! The film flopped at the box office despite an all-star cast that included Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, and Pierce Brosnan. In 1999, Burton directed a freely adapted film version, Sleepy Hollow, of Washington Irving's haunting tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, in which Johhny Depp offered a notable performance as the heroic Ichabod Crane. In 2001, Burton took on an ambitious remake of the 1968 cult classic Planet of the Apes starring Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter. In 2005, he released a remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp and a stop-motion animated feature called The Corpse Bride, which received an Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature Film.Continuing with his interest in ghoulish subjects, Burton directed the film adaptation of the popular musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2007. The film reunited Burton with longtime friend Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. All three received critical praise for their work on the film, including several Golden Globe nominations.Burton has been involved with Apes star Bonham Carter since 2001. The couple has two children, a son born in October 2003 and a daughter born in December 2007.

Director, producer, screenwriter. Born August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California. As a child, Burton was engrossed with the classic horror films of Roger Corman—many of which featured quintessential screen villain Vincent Price. Burton also developed a penchant for drawing and enrolled at the California Institute of Arts, where he majored in animation. In flixster.actor.pane.162652827 - flixster

flixster.actor.pane.162652827 - flixster

1980, upon his graduation, he began working as an apprentice animator for Walt Disney Studios. Within a year, Burton grew tired with his work at Disney and decided to strike out on his own. In 1982, he released the award-winning short Vincent, which paid homage to the enduring work of his childhood idol.
In 1984, Burton created a unique version of the Frankenstein story with the live-action short Frankenweenie. Impressed with Frankenweenie, Paul Reubens commissioned Burton to direct the wildly inventive comedy Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985). The success of Pee-wee's Big Adventure brought about other opportunities, including the 1988 ghost story Beetlejuice starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis. Often considered the prototypical Burton film, Beetlejuice was recognized for its visual flair and interwoven themes of fantasy and horror.After forming his own production company, Burton directed the lavish production Batman (1989). With a cast that included Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, and Kim Basinger, the stylized feature became the first film to sell $100 million in the first 10 days of release. The following year, Burton helmed the bizarre but touching film Edward Scissorhands. Featuring notable performances by up-and-coming stars Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder (as well as Price's final feature role as the eccentric inventor), Edward Scissorhands was acclaimed for being both a social satire and a simple tale of love and intolerance.
Directing an ensemble that included Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Walken, Burton reteamed with Keaton for the 1992 Batman sequel, Batman Returns. The following year, he produced the animated musical Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Created with the painstaking process of stop-motion animation, the film became a critical and commercial success, while Burton was credited for his technical prowess.
In 1994, Burton cast Johnny Depp as the title character in Ed Wood—a black-and-white portrait of a middling filmmaker and his all-consuming passion to succeed. Although critically praised (Martin Landau won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a drug-addicted Bela Lugosi), the film failed to appeal to mass audiences. After producing the third installment Batman Forever (1995) and the animated feature James and the Giant Peach (1996), Burton directed the sci-fi spoof Mars Attacks! The film flopped at the box office despite an all-star cast that included Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, and Pierce Brosnan.
In 1999, Burton directed a freely adapted film version, Sleepy Hollow, of Washington Irving's haunting tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, in which Johhny Depp offered a notable performance as the heroic Ichabod Crane. In 2001, Burton took on an ambitious remake of the 1968 cult classic Planet of the Apes starring Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter. In 2005, he released a remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring flixster.actor.pane.162652827 - flixster

Johnny Depp and a stop-motion animated feature called The Corpse Bride, which received an Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature Film.Continuing with his interest in ghoulish subjects, Burton directed the film adaptation of the popular musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2007. The film reunited Burton with longtime friend Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. All three received critical praise for their work on the film, including several Golden Globe nominations.Burton has been involved with Apes star Bonham Carter since 2001. The couple has two children, a son born in October 2003 and a daughter born in December 2007.

*Trivia*
While at WDFA, he shared an office with Andreas Deja. Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997. Among his cinematic influences are Mario Bava, Vincent Price, Roger Corman and Barbara Steele whom he homaged in Sleepy Hollow (1999). Credits his former fiancée, Lisa Marie, as his muse. She is often in his projects (Ed Wood (1994), Mars Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), The World of Stainboy (2000), Planet of the Apes (2001)) or is paid homage in them (she was the inspiration for The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)'s Sally). He was hired as the director of the failed Superman (1997) movie. Bought the rights to a Topps trading card series with the intention of turning it into a film, but couldn't decide between calling it "Dinosaurs Attack!" and "Mars Attacks!". Jurassic Park (1993) then came out, and to avoid comparison, he made it as Mars Attacks! (1996) instead, but then it faced comparison to Independence Day (1996). Shares a birthday with Sean Connery. Was voted the 49th Greatest Director of all time by Entertainment Weekly, being the youngest director on this list of 50. Was slated to direct The Fly (1986) with Michael Keaton in the lead role, but he backed out and David Cronenberg took over. Is scheduled to direct the Broadway musical version of his film Batman (1989). Has made six films with Johnny Depp: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). Was originally set to do a re-make of Cabinet des Dr. Caligari., Das (1920) in the early 1980s. Was working on a documentary about Vincent Price, called "Conversations with Vincent". After Price's death in 1993 he shelved the project and it has never been completed. Ranked #6 on Tropopkin's Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100]. In October 2001, he began his current relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter, whom he met while filming Planet of the Apes (2001), and she has appeared in all of his subsequent films. They live in adjoining houses with a hallway that connects the two homes, they have a son, Billy-Ray Burton, born on October 4, 2003, and a girl born on December 15, 2007. Engaged to Helena Bonham Carter [2001-present] 2 children. Johnny Depp is a godfather of his son Billy Ray Burton. Grew up in Burbank on Evergreen Street, and his family lived in the 2000 block, near Valhalla Cemetary. Attended Providencia Elementary School in Burbank, California. Is a big fan of Italian director Mario Bava. He once said he would like to remake Bava`s classic Maschera del demonio, La (1960) with his former partner Lisa Marie. He also appeared in two documentaries about Bava. Played water polo and swam for Burbank High School in California. He once said he never remembers his dreams, apart from five recurring dreams, one of them involving the girl he was in love with when he was a teenager and another involving his parents` bedroom. Is a big fan of "nudie" director Russ Meyer. Younger brother Daniel Burton is also an artist. Usually dresses in black, because he doesn`t like spending too much time matching colors. Nearly everywhere he goes, he carries a pocket-size sketchbook and a small watercolor kit. Is a "Bollywood" fan. Lives in Ojai (California) and New York. Used the song "It`s Not Unusual", performed by Tom Jones, in Edward Scissorhands (1990) and then in Mars Attacks! (1996). He has an interest in clowns, and his films will often include them or make reference to them. Engaged to Lisa Marie from 1992-2001. At the end of Beetle Juice (1988), Beetlejuice metamorphoses into a bizarre creature with a merry-go-round on his head. On the top of this merry-go-round is a smiling skull which became Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). The latter movie had been a pet project of Burton`s since his days as an animator at Disney. Often looks into the main character`s past through a series offlashbacks (i.e.Edward Scissorhands (1990), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)). Usually includes fantasy elements in his films. His movies always opens with a personal version of the studio`s logo. Often shows scarecrows in his movies. Obsession with horror actors: he makes movies about them (Vincent (1982), Ed Wood (1994)), or he actually casts them in his films (e.g. Vincent Price, Michael Gough, Christopher Lee, Christopher Walken). Many of his films feature townspeople who misunderstand and/ordistrust the lead character. He often likes to open his films with a quiet night time snowfall. Frequently features dead or dismembered dogs. Frequently casts Jeffrey Jones, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix, Michael Keaton, Lisa Marie, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gough, Deep Roy and Christopher Lee. Frequently uses composer Danny Elfman. Plot often focuses around a misunderstood outcast. His films often have a Gothic feel to them, often including Christmas and/or Halloween scenes. Often does the beginning credits sequence with the camera going through something (Batman (1989),Beetle Juice (1988),Edward Scissorhands (1990), orfollowing something(Batman Returns (1992),Mars Attacks! (1996),Sleepy Hollow (1999) , Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005) _,_and SweeneyTodd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)). Born in Burbank, California, USA

Trivia

While at WDFA, he shared an office with Andreas Deja.

Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997.

Among his cinematic influences are Mario Bava, Vincent Price, Roger Corman and Barbara Steele whom he homaged in Sleepy Hollow (1999).

Credits his former fiancée, Lisa Marie, as his muse. She is often in his projects (Ed Wood (1994), Mars Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), The World of Stainboy (2000), Planet of the Apes (2001)) or is paid homage in them (she was the inspiration for The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)'s Sally).

He was hired as the director of the failed Superman (1997) movie.

Bought the rights to a Topps trading card series with the intention of turning it into a film, but couldn't decide between calling it "Dinosaurs Attack!" and "Mars Attacks!". Jurassic Park (1993) then came out, and to avoid comparison, he made it as Mars Attacks! (1996) instead, but then it faced comparison to Independence Day (1996).

Shares a birthday with Sean Connery.

Was voted the 49th Greatest Director of all time by Entertainment Weekly, being the youngest director on this list of 50.

Was slated to direct The Fly (1986) with Michael Keaton in the lead role, but he backed out and David Cronenberg took over.

Is scheduled to direct the Broadway musical version of his film Batman (1989).

Has made six films with Johnny Depp: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).

Was originally set to do a re-make of Cabinet des Dr. Caligari., Das (1920) in the early 1980s.

Was working on a documentary about Vincent Price, called "Conversations with Vincent". After Price's death in 1993 he shelved the project and it has never been completed.

Ranked #6 on Tropopkin's Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100].

In October 2001, he began his current relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter, whom he met while filming Planet of the Apes (2001), and she has appeared in all of his subsequent films. They live in adjoining houses with a hallway that connects the two homes, they have a son, Billy-Ray Burton, born on October 4, 2003, and a girl born on December 15, 2007.

Engaged to Helena Bonham Carter [2001-present] 2 children.

Johnny Depp is a godfather of his son Billy Ray Burton.

Grew up in Burbank on Evergreen Street, and his family lived in the 2000 block, near Valhalla Cemetary. Attended Providencia Elementary School in Burbank, California.

Is a big fan of Italian director Mario Bava. He once said he would like to remake Bava`s classic Maschera del demonio, La (1960) with his former partner Lisa Marie. He also appeared in two documentaries about Bava.

Played water polo and swam for Burbank High School in California.

He once said he never remembers his dreams, apart from five recurring dreams, one of them involving the girl he was in love with when he was a teenager and another involving his parents` bedroom.

Is a big fan of "nudie" director Russ Meyer.

Younger brother Daniel Burton is also an artist.

Usually dresses in black, because he doesn`t like spending too much time matching colors.

Nearly everywhere he goes, he carries a pocket-size sketchbook and a small watercolor kit.

Is a "Bollywood" fan.

Lives in Ojai (California) and New York.

Used the song "It`s Not Unusual", performed by Tom Jones, in Edward Scissorhands (1990) and then in Mars Attacks! (1996).

He has an interest in clowns, and his films will often include them or make reference to them.

Engaged to Lisa Marie from 1992-2001.

At the end of Beetle Juice (1988), Beetlejuice metamorphoses into a bizarre creature with a merry-go-round on his head. On the top of this merry-go-round is a smiling skull which became Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). The latter movie had been a pet project of Burton`s since his days as an animator at Disney.

Often looks into the main character`s past through a series offlashbacks (i.e.Edward Scissorhands (1990), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)).

Usually includes fantasy elements in his films.

His movies always opens with a personal version of the studio`s logo.

Often shows scarecrows in his movies.

Obsession with horror actors: he makes movies about them (Vincent (1982), Ed Wood (1994)), or he actually casts them in his films (e.g. Vincent Price, Michael Gough, Christopher Lee, Christopher Walken).

Many of his films feature townspeople who misunderstand and/ordistrust the lead character.

He often likes to open his films with a quiet night time snowfall.

Frequently features dead or dismembered dogs.

Frequently casts Jeffrey Jones, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix, Michael Keaton, Lisa Marie, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gough, Deep Roy and Christopher Lee.

Frequently uses composer Danny Elfman.

Plot often focuses around a misunderstood outcast.

His films often have a Gothic feel to them, often including Christmas and/or Halloween scenes.

Often does the beginning credits sequence with the camera going through something (Batman (1989),Beetle Juice (1988),Edward Scissorhands (1990), orfollowing something(Batman Returns (1992),Mars Attacks! (1996),Sleepy Hollow (1999) , Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005) _,_and SweeneyTodd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)).

Born in Burbank, California, USA

Last update: Oct 24 2009, 1:13 AM EDT by InTheFleshOfBlood (content history | content tools) (help)

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PricklyPineTree

You are truly very attractive. ;)

posted 190 days ago
babyJ1430

I LOVE ALLLLLLLL YOUR MOVIES!!!! KEEP THEM COMING PLEASE!!!!!!! and THANK YOU

posted 304 days ago
SkywalkerJones

one word:Genius.

posted 313 days ago
blondedaisyd

seriously...NOONES hair can look THAT good!!! i am so freaking jealous!!!!!!!!!!!

posted 423 days ago
zappasgal

I have to say that for me my favorites are 1) Vincent, 2) Ed Wood and then the rest are very much adored. I like the difference of Big Fish and find it an excellent movie-the most that has hit mainstream Hollywood. But most recently-Sweeney Todd was a major accomplishment. Excellence in film making and I am a great fan of musicals and musical film. This one is as great as any. Kudos to you Tim Burton!!!

posted 432 days ago
agi1992bep

You are the greatest and the bravest director in Hollywood! Your movies are so special, uniqe....Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, The Nightmare Before Christman, The Corpse Bride - I love them all! Sweeney Todd is my favourite film ever, the most beautiful, heartbreaking, astonishing film what I've ever seen (and, believe me, I saw a lot). And, first and foremost, you are my favourite actor's best friend, who helped him in his strangest, darkest times. So you are, and you will be always my favourite director! And I'm very excited for Alice In Wonderland!:D I'm sure it will gonna be great! Bye!:)

posted 434 days ago
Karez2much

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

posted 452 days ago
SJMJ91

Favourite director. I have seen over 600 films all together and your film Sweeney Todd is my all time favourite film!! You are a legend and so is Helena and Johnny

posted 474 days ago
ashleegebhardt12

You are so HOTT!!

posted 484 days ago
BlackRose1763

if you ever do read this tehn i wish you to know that I LOVE YOU!!! ur movies are freking awesome and i hope that one day i will have the chance to meet you :P

posted 496 days ago

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Tim Burton Movies

Dark Shadows (Unrated, 2010)
Alice in Wonderland (Unrated, 2010)
9 (PG-13, 2009)
Waking Sleeping Beauty (Unrated, 2009)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG, 2008)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R, 2007)
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight - The Legend Reborn (Unrated, 2005)
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (PG, 2005)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (PG, 2005)
Big Fish (PG-13, 2003)

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Tim Burton Trivia

In the Tim Burton film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, what was Pee-Wee searching for? Answer »
To date how many movies have Tim Burton and Johnny Depp worked on together? Answer »
What Tim Burton movie involves a giant, a witch and the handi matic? Answer »
Name the movie from the quote: "Tell me... can a heart still break once it has stopped beating?" (hint: it's a tim burton film) Answer »

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