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{{Short description|American film producer}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Infobox person
{{Advert|date=July 2020}}
| name = Burt Kearns
{{COI|date=July 2020}}
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| nationality = American
|alma_mater = Fairfield University
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| occupation = {{hlist|author|writer|film director|journalist|television and film producer}}
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'''Burt Kearns''' is an ] ] and ], ], ], ] and ], known for his influential work in reality television and his controversial 1999 tabloid television memoir, '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/12/buy-bye.html|title=tabloid baby: Buy, bye|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2010-12-19|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burtkearns.com|title=welcome|website=Burt Kearns|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> '''Burt Kearns''' is an American ], ], and ] and ], ] and ], whom ''Vanity Fair'' referred to as "a show business and pop culture savant."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/09/show-wont-go-on-book-performers-dead-onstage|title = Killer Set: The Strange History of Performers Dying Onstage|website = ]|date = 4 September 2019}}</ref>


Kearns's book, ''Shemp! The Biography of the Three Stooges' Shemp Howard, The Face of Film Comedy'', was published on October 1, 2024, by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781493074211/SHEMP-The-Biography-of-The-Three-Stooges’-Shemp-Howard-The-Face-of-Film-Comedy|title=Shemp! The Biography of the Three Stooges' Shemp Howard, The Face of Film Comedy|accessdate=4 February 2024|via=rowman.com}}</ref> Applause published Kearns’ book, '']'',<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/other/how-one-photo-of-marlon-brando-turned-us-all-a-little-gay/ar-BB1kCaLW |title=The photo that wrapped Marlon Brando's homoerotic swagger in a tight leather jacket =March 27, 2024|website=MSN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/marlon-brando-hollywood-rebel-2217499/ |title=Marlon Brando: Hollywood Rebel =March 29, 2024|website=Library Journal}}</ref> on April 2, 2024.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781493072507/Marlon-Brando-Hollywood-Rebel|title=Marlon Brando: Hollywood Rebel|accessdate= 30 September 2023|via=rowman.com}}</ref>
His book, '']: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage'' ({{ISBN|9781641602174}}), was written with ], and published in 2019 by ].<ref>http://www.theshowwontgoon.com</ref><ref>https://www.npr.org/2019/09/21/762988694/show-wont-go-on-book-compiles-performers-who-died-on-stage</ref>


His biography of actor ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lawrencetierneybook.com/ |title=Home |website=lawrencetierneybook.com}}</ref> '']'', was published in December, 2022 by the University Press of Kentucky.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lawrence-tierney-reservoir-dogs-1234964784/|title = Book About Late Actor and Notorious Bad Guy Lawrence Tierney Set from Writer-Producer Burt Kearns|website = ]|date = 9 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rogerebert.com/features/lawrence-tierney-bio-etches-vivid-portrait-of-hollywoods-real-life-tough-guy | title=Lawrence Tierney Bio Etches Vivid Portrait of Hollywood's Real-Life Tough Guy &#124; Features &#124; Roger Ebert | date=27 November 2022 }}</ref> '']: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage'', which he wrote with ], was published in 2019 by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theshowwontgoon.com/ |title=Home |website=theshowwontgoon.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/21/762988694/show-wont-go-on-book-compiles-performers-who-died-on-stage|title='Show Won't Go On': Book Compiles Performers Who Died Onstage|newspaper=NPR.org}}</ref>
⚫ In 2018, he became a contributor to the literary pop culture website, PleaseKillMe.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pleasekillme.com/search/burt+kearns/|title=Search for "burt kearns"|website=PleaseKillMe}}</ref>

Kearns's first book, the television memoir '']'', was published in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/12/buy-bye.html|title=tabloid baby: Buy, bye|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2010-12-19|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burtkearns.com|title=welcome|website=Burt Kearns|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>

⚫ In 2018, he became a contributor to the literary pop culture website, PleaseKillMe.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pleasekillme.com/search/burt+kearns/|title=Search for "burt kearns"|website=PleaseKillMe|date=28 March 2018 }}</ref> In December 2021, he began to contribute written and video pieces to ]’s literary pop culture website, Legsville.com.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://legsville.com/?s=burt+kearns | title=You searched for burt kearns }}</ref>


==Television and film production== ==Television and film production==


===Writer and producer=== ===Writer and producer===
Kearns is a creator and executive producer of '']'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2023/04/28/breaking-the-ice-we-TV/6161682685954/|title='Breaking the Ice' docuseries on diverse ice skating team comes to WE tv in July - UPI.com|website=UPI|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jerseyshorescene.com/groundbreaking-docuseries-with-jersey-shore-roots/|title=Groundbreaking Docuseries With Jersey Shore Roots|first=J. F.|last=Grodeska|date=25 July 2023|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref> a docuseries following the first diverse, competitive synchronized ice skating team. The series premiered on July 6, 2023 on WE tv and streams on AMC's ALLBLK platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2023/04/27/we-tv-greenlights-ice-skating-docuseries-breaking-the-ice-861310/20230427amc01/?fbclid=IwAR0TOVS1Xfpv8HiAlG1LeSSx_EWETKy5I6-Lnyr7S2fXm-SM847agbDq1fI|title=Breaking News - WE tv Greenlights Ice Skating Docuseries "Breaking the Ice" &#124; TheFutonCritic.com|website=thefutoncritic.com|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref> He is a veteran nonfiction television producer, writer, showrunner and consultant on series and shows such as '']'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18566152/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_2|title=Who Do You Believe?|date=3 May 2022|accessdate=30 September 2023|via=IMDb}}</ref> '']''; '']''; '']'';<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/true-tori/season-1/episode-8 |title=Lifetime TV Shows &#124; Lifetime |newspaper=Lifetime |publisher=Mylifetime.com |date= |accessdate=2019-11-07}}</ref> ''Way Out West'';<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trutv.com/shows/way-out-west/index.html|title=truTV {{!}} Reality TV {{!}} Comedy|website=www.trutv.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> ''True Tori: True Confessions''; ''] Confidential''; ''Tori Spelling: Celebrity Lie Detector''; '']''; '']''; ''Dumbest Stuff on Wheels''; and '']''.


Kearns was executive producer of, and featured on-camera in, the ] nonfiction special program, ''Kardashian: The Man Who Saved OJ Simpson'', <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reelz.com/kardashian-the-man-who-saved-oj-simpson/|title=Kardashian: The Man Who Saved O.J. Simpson|website=REELZChannel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://decider.com/2017/06/12/new-o-j-simpson-documentary-on-netflix/|title=Did You Know There’s A New O.J. Simpson Documentary On Netflix?|date=June 12, 2017}}</ref><ref></ref> He was executive producer of the Reelz nonfiction specials, ''TIME Presents: Celebrities On Trial'' <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/27/reelz-time-special-michael-jackson-court-pajamas-clip/|title=Reelz, TIME Special Explains Infamous Michael Jackson Court Outfit — Exclusive|website=EW.com}}</ref> ''El Chapo & Sean Penn: Bungle In The Jungle'';<ref>https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/strange-ongoing-saga-sean-penn-873959</ref><ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5519702/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly Presents: 80s TV Stars - Where Are They Now?''; <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Reelz-Time-Inc-Announce-Upcoming-Celebrity-Specials-20161114|title=Reelz & Time Inc. Announce Upcoming Celebrity Specials|first=TV News|last=Desk|website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref> and ''TIME Presents: Milestones 2016 - A Tribute To The Stars We’ve Lost''. He was executive producer of, and featured on-camera in, the ] nonfiction special program, ''Kardashian: The Man Who Saved OJ Simpson''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reelz.com/kardashian-the-man-who-saved-oj-simpson/|title=Kardashian: The Man Who Saved O.J. Simpson|website=REELZChannel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://decider.com/2017/06/12/new-o-j-simpson-documentary-on-netflix/|title=Did You Know There's A New O.J. Simpson Documentary On Netflix?|date=June 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/80185297 |title=Kardashian: The Man Who Saved O.J. Simpson &#124; Netflix |website=www.netflix.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606161431/https://www.netflix.com/title/80185297 |archive-date=6 June 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was executive producer of the Reelz nonfiction specials, ''Time Presents: Celebrities On Trial'' <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/27/reelz-time-special-michael-jackson-court-pajamas-clip/|title=Reelz, Time Special Explains Infamous Michael Jackson Court Outfit — Exclusive|website=EW.com}}</ref> ''El Chapo & Sean Penn: Bungle In The Jungle'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/strange-ongoing-saga-sean-penn-873959|title = The Strange, Ongoing Saga of Sean Penn, el Chapo and Who Was (And Wasn't) Making a Movie|website = ]|date = 9 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5519702/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast|title = El Chapo & Sean Penn: Bungle in the Jungle (TV Movie 2016) - IMDb|website = ]}}</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly Presents: 80s TV Stars - Where Are They Now?'';<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Reelz-Time-Inc-Announce-Upcoming-Celebrity-Specials-20161114|title=Reelz & Time Inc. Announce Upcoming Celebrity Specials|first=TV News|last=Desk|website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref> and ''Time Presents: Milestones 2016 - A Tribute To The Stars We've Lost''.


⚫ Kearns also produced the documentary films ''Death of a Beatle'' (2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bol.com/nl/p/killing-a-beatle/1002004000119436/|title=bol.com &#124; Killing A Beatle (Dvd), John Lennon &#124; Dvd's|website=www.bol.com}}</ref> and ''Bin Laden's Escape'' (2005) (with Parco Productions). Directed and produced the documentary, ''Boxing: A Different Look'' for ] and '']'' (featuring ], ], ] and ]) for ]. Co-producer of the HBO documentary ''Panic'', starring ]. Producer of Fox Television special, ''When Good Pets Go Bad 2'', and executive producer of the syndicated series, '']''.
He has been a nonfiction television producer, writer, showrunner and consultant on series and shows such as '']''; '']''; '']''; <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/true-tori/season-1/episode-8 |title=Lifetime TV Shows &#124; Lifetime |publisher=Mylifetime.com |date= |accessdate=2019-11-07}}</ref> ''Way Out West'';<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trutv.com/shows/way-out-west/index.html|title=truTV {{!}} Reality TV {{!}} Comedy|website=www.trutv.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> ''True Tori: True Confessions''; ''] Confidential''; ''Tori Spelling: Celebrity Lie Detector''; '']''; '']''; ''Dumbest Stuff on Wheels''; and '']''.

⚫ He produced the documentary films ''Death of a Beatle'' (2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bol.com/nl/p/killing-a-beatle/1002004000119436/|title=bol.com &#124; Killing A Beatle (Dvd), John Lennon &#124; Dvd's|website=www.bol.com}}</ref> and ''Bin Laden’s Escape'' (2005) (with Parco Productions). Directed and produced the documentary, ''Boxing: A Different Look'' for ] and '']'' (featuring ], ], ] & ]) for ]. Co-producer of the HBO documentary '']'', starring ]. Producer of Fox Television special, ''] 2'', and executive producer of the syndicated series, '']''.


===Independent features and Good Story Productions=== ===Independent features and Good Story Productions===
Kearns produced the nonfiction film comedy, '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anchoragepress.com/film/high-there|title=High There|last=Diaz|first=Dave|website=Anchorage Press|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.documentarydude.com/an-interview-with-burt-kearns-producer-high-there/|title=An Interview with Burt Kearns, Producer - High There - The Documentary Dude|website=The Documentary Dude|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104405/http://www.documentarydude.com/an-interview-with-burt-kearns-producer-high-there/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> which premiered August 25, 2014 as an official selection of the Action on Film International Film Festival in ] and won the Viewers' Choice Award at first annual Cannabis Film Festival in ] <ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.420magazine.com/forums/420-documentaries/246179-high-there-wins-viewers-choice-award-1st-cannabis-film-festival.html|title=High There Wins Viewers Choice Award at 1st Cannabis Film Festival|website=www.420magazine.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> on May 15, 2015. High There was released on VOD and limited edition DVD by BRINKvision on June 23, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/05/prweb12698008.htm|title=BRINKvision to release ''High There'' on DVD & On Demand June 23rd|website=PRWeb|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> Kearns directed and produced the nonfiction film ''Telethon'' (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2014/aug/30/jerry-lewis-australias-top-honor-rare-mda-video/|title=As Jerry Lewis accepts Australia's top honor, rare MDA Telethon video surfaces - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|first=John|last=Katsilometes|date=30 August 2014|website=lasvegassun.com|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref> and produced the nonfiction film comedy '']''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anchoragepress.com/film/high-there|title=High There|last=Diaz|first=Dave|website=Anchorage Press|access-date=2016-04-09|archive-date=2016-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210002630/http://www.anchoragepress.com/film/high-there|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.documentarydude.com/an-interview-with-burt-kearns-producer-high-there/|title=An Interview with Burt Kearns, Producer - High There - The Documentary Dude|website=The Documentary Dude|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104405/http://www.documentarydude.com/an-interview-with-burt-kearns-producer-high-there/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> which was released on VOD and limited edition DVD by BRINKvision on June 23, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/brinkvision_to_release_high_there_on_dvd_on_demand_june_23rd/prweb12698008.htm|title=BRINKvision to release ''High There'' on DVD & On Demand June 23rd|website=PRWeb|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


Kearns directed, wrote and produced the nonfiction film, ''El Viaje Musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The ] Story'', which was previewed as a work-in-progress on August 15, 2009 at the 35th annual ] in Chicago,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2009/08/chris-montez-is-revelation-of-fest-for.html|title=tabloid baby: The more they saw Chris Montez at the Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago, the more they wanted to call him|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2009-08-16|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> November 21, 2009 at the Paso Robles Digital Film Festival <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/Talent/chris_montez.htm|title=chris montez|website=www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> and May 14, 2010 at the Pacific Palisades Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/05/exclusive-video-chris-montezs-triumph.html|title=tabloid baby: Exclusive video! Chris Montez's triumph at the Pacific Palisades Film Festival|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2010-05-16|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> Kearns directed, wrote and produced the nonfiction film, ''El Viaje Musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The ] Story'', which was previewed on August 15, 2009 at the 35th annual ] in Chicago,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2009/08/chris-montez-is-revelation-of-fest-for.html|title=tabloid baby: The more they saw Chris Montez at the Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago, the more they wanted to call him|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2009-08-16|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> November 21, 2009 at the Paso Robles Digital Film Festival <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/Talent/chris_montez.htm|title=chris montez|website=www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> and May 14, 2010 at the Pacific Palisades Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/05/exclusive-video-chris-montezs-triumph.html|title=tabloid baby: Exclusive video! Chris Montez's triumph at the Pacific Palisades Film Festival|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2010-05-16|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


Both films were produced through his Good Story Productions <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodstoryproductions.net|title=Welcome|website=Good Story Productions|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> production company.{{cn|date=July 2020}} '']'' and the Montez film were produced through his Good Story Productions production company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodstoryproductions.net|title=Welcome|website=Good Story Productions|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


===Frozen Pictures=== ===Frozen Pictures===
In 2000, Kearns formed the production company ] (later ]) with producer ], formerly of the ] musical comedy team. Kearns directed, wrote and produced many television shows and series under the Frozen banner, including the ] ''Adults Only: The Secret History of The Other Hollywood'' and ''The Secret History of Rock ‘n’ Roll'' with ] for ], ''All the Presidents' Movies'', <ref>https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10584600600977102?journalCode=upcp20</ref> narrated by ] for ] and the ] late night series ''My First Time''. In 2000, Kearns formed the production company ] (later ]) with producer ], formerly of the ] musical comedy team. Kearns directed, wrote and produced many television shows and series under the Frozen banner, including the ] ''Adults Only: The Secret History of The Other Hollywood'' and ''The Secret History of Rock ‘n' Roll'' with ] for ]; ''All the Presidents' Movies'',<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10584600600977102?journalCode=upcp20|doi = 10.1080/10584600600977102|title = A Review of: "All the Presidents' Movies, executive producers, Bill Knoedelseder, Burt Kearns, Brett Hudson, and Irv Letofsky"|year = 2007|last1 = Kumar|first1 = Martha Joynt|journal = Political Communication|volume = 24|pages = 99–104|s2cid = 146325033}}</ref> narrated by ], for ]; and two seasons of the ] late night series ''My First Time''.
]
⚫ He directed and produced the 2008 Frozen Pictures ] ], '']'', about the career and influence of ] collaborator and ] member ],<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ultimate Monty Python Site|periodical=|publisher=|url=https://montycasinos.com/|format=|access-date=2019-12-10|last=|date=|year=|language=de|pages=|quote=}}</ref> and directed and produced ''Basketball Man'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0972360/|title = Basketball Man|website = ]|date = 13 March 2007}}</ref> the 2007 Frozen Pictures ] that featured ] stars and legends telling the story of the life and legacy of the game's inventor, ]. The film was released on DVD on May 8, 2007.<ref>{{Citation|last=goodstory|title=Red Auerbach's last interview (from 'Basketball Man')|date=2006-10-30|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G8SlZTuIA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/h_G8SlZTuIA |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|accessdate=2016-04-09}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


⚫ Kearns received international attention,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=20021225&id=-_4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1ggEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6662,2987680|title=Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> including front page stories in '']''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/27/nyregion/killed-on-9-11-fire-chaplain-becomes-larger-than-life.html|title=Killed on 9/11, Fire Chaplain Becomes Larger Than Life|last=Wakin|first=Daniel J.|date=2002-09-27|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> and '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-02-19-mychal-cover_x.htm|title=The making of St. Mychal|website=USA Today|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> for his controversial Saintmychal.com website and documentary project that chronicled and inherently promoted the canonization of 9/11 hero Rev. ].
⚫ ]He directed and produced the 2008 Frozen Pictures ] ], '']'', about the career and influence of ] collaborator and ] member ], and directed and produced ''Basketball Man'',<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0972360/</ref> the 2007 Frozen Pictures ] that featured ] stars and legends telling the story of the life and legacy of the game's inventor, ]. The film was released on DVD on May 8, 2007. (During the production of ''Basketball Man'', Kearns conducted Boston Celtics legend ]'s last interview.)<ref>{{Citation|last=goodstory|title=Red Auerbach's last interview (from 'Basketball Man')|date=2006-10-30|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G8SlZTuIA|accessdate=2016-04-09}}</ref>

Creator, producer and director of Frozen Pictures' ''The ] Reality Project'',<ref>{{Citation|last=goodstory|title=More MICHAEL LOHAN REALITY PROJECT at www.tabloidbaby.com|date=2007-11-05|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbs_blMC6cA|accessdate=2016-04-09}}</ref> and '']'',<ref>{{Citation|last=tabloidbaby|title=American Dunkleman|date=2009-01-22|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEZMjLhYQVk|accessdate=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.Americandunkleman.com|title=americandunkleman.com - Registered at Namecheap.com|website=www.americandunkleman.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZw5F7_AUpcC|title=American Idol: The Untold Story|last=Rushfield|first=Richard|date=2011-01-18|publisher=Hachette Books|isbn=9781401396527|language=en}}</ref> both of which became popular when their pitch tapes were released on the Internet.

⚫ Kearns received international attention,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=20021225&id=-_4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1ggEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6662,2987680|title=Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> including front page stories in '']''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/27/nyregion/killed-on-9-11-fire-chaplain-becomes-larger-than-life.html|title=Killed on 9/11, Fire Chaplain Becomes Larger Than Life|last=Wakin|first=Daniel J.|date=2002-09-27|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-02-19-mychal-cover_x.htm|title=USATODAY.com - The making of St. Mychal|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> for his controversial Saintmychal.com website and documentary project that chronicled and inherently promoted the canonization of 9/11 hero Rev. ].


===''Cloud 9''=== ===''Cloud 9''===
Kearns wrote and produced the ] movie, '']'' (starring ]), along with Hudson and ] winner ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=ibq&rls=org.mozilla%253Aen-US%253Aofficial&q=cloud+9+albert+ruddy+burt+kearns&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=|title=cloud 9 albert ruddy burt kearns - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> The film, a joint production of Frozen Pictures, Ruddy Morgan Productions and Graymark Productions, was released on DVD by 20th Century Home Entertainment on January 3, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whydoesitexist.com/2012/02/16/cloud-9-2006/|title=Cloud 9 (2006)|last=2am|first=mrrickers 11 October 2013 at|website=Why Does It Exist?|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> Kearns wrote and produced the ] movie, '']'' (starring ]), along with Hudson and Academy Award-winning producer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cloud+9+albert+ruddy+burt+kearns|title=cloud 9 albert ruddy burt kearns - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> The film, a joint production of Frozen Pictures, Ruddy Morgan Productions and Graymark Productions (led by the film's executive producer, Academy Award-winning producer ]), was released on DVD by 20th Century Home Entertainment on January 3, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whydoesitexist.com/2012/02/16/cloud-9-2006/|title=Cloud 9 (2006)|last=2am|first=mrrickers 11 October 2013 at|website=Why Does It Exist?|date=16 February 2012|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


==''Tabloid Baby''== ==''Tabloid Baby''==
Left tabloid television and began writing '']'' in 1996. A combination memoir and exposé, the book was published in November 1999 by Hambleton-Hill's Celebrity Books imprint, and became an immediate sensation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/1999/12/08/tabloid/|title=Tabloid nation|date=December 8, 1999|website=Salon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anorak.co.uk/344609/celebrities/gentleman-jim-davidson-wife-beating-and-the-celebrity-police-force.html|title=Anorak News &#124; Gentleman Jim Davidson, wife beating and the Celebrity Police Force}}</ref> Kearns left tabloid television and began writing '']'' in 1996. A combination memoir and exposé, the book was published in November 1999 by Hambleton-Hill's Celebrity Books imprint.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/1999/12/08/tabloid/|title=Tabloid nation|date=December 8, 1999|website=Salon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anorak.co.uk/344609/celebrities/gentleman-jim-davidson-wife-beating-and-the-celebrity-police-force.html|title=Anorak News &#124; Gentleman Jim Davidson, wife beating and the Celebrity Police Force|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref>


The book was praised by ] of ]' ] as "sad, funny, undeniably authentic" and by tabloid television host ] as "The Bible."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/12/buy-bye.html|title=tabloid baby: Buy, bye|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2010-12-19|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> The book was praised by ] of ]' ] as "sad, funny, undeniably authentic" and by tabloid television host ] as "The Bible".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/12/buy-bye.html|title=tabloid baby: Buy, bye|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2010-12-19|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:Back_book_jacket_of_Tabloid_Baby_by_Burt_Kearns.jpg {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/2000-06-22/art-books/tabloid-baby|title=Tabloid Baby|last=Holland|first=Gale|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabloidbaby.com|title=Tabloid Baby|website=www.tabloidbaby.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>

Kearns embarked on a cross-country book signing, reading, radio and television tour after network news bosses reacted to his revelations about the television industry by canceling many of his scheduled television appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/2000-06-22/art-books/tabloid-baby|title=Tabloid Baby|last=Holland|first=Gale|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabloidbaby.com|title=Tabloid Baby|website=www.tabloidbaby.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


==Early career== ==Early career==
⚫ After graduation from ];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-fairfield-university-alumni-and-students/reference|title=Famous Fairfield University Alumni|website=Ranker}}</ref> Kearns worked as a reporter and editor for the Acorn Press, a chain of newspapers in southern ] and ]. After ]'s assassination on December 8, 1980, he moved to ], where he reported and wrote for neighborhood newspapers including The Westsider, East Side Express and Chelsea-Clinton News, before being hired in August 1981 on the assignment desk, and later as newswriter and show producer, at ]'s ''10 O'Clock News''. Kearns moved on to became a show producer, field producer and newswriter for such ] and network news operations as ]-TV's '']'' and ]' '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fairfield.edu/hostedfiles/publications/fn_fall01.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.fairfield.edu |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202628/https://www.fairfield.edu/hostedfiles/publications/fn_fall01.pdf |archive-date=6 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> With a background as a music writer and early chronicler of the ] music scene early in his newspaper career<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203460853537627&set=o.28317327210&type=3&theater|title=Ulf Rasmussen {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/2016/01/hey-its-burt-kearns-joey-ramone-circa.html|title=Good Story News: Hey! It's Burt Kearns & Joey Ramone, circa 1978|last=Team|first=The Good Story|date=2016-01-02|website=Good Story News|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> (he performed with Joey Ramone on the 45 rpm recording of Shrapnel's single, "Hey",<ref>{{cite web | url=http://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/2016/01/hey-its-burt-kearns-joey-ramone-circa.html | title=Good Story News: Hey! It's Burt Kearns & Joey Ramone, circa 1978 | date=2 January 2016 }}</ref> produced by ]), he also moonlighted as a writer for '']'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTuFggZ0EsIC|title=Cultural Studies: Volume 8|last1=Grossberg|first1=Lawrence|last2=Radway|first2=Janice|date=1994-11-24|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780203989630|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DYcbla8ulxkC|title=SPIN|date=1988-09-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ffg2qNLJucC|title=SPIN|date=1988-11-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bT9Dc3mzdZ8C|title=SPIN|date=1989-03-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref>


⚫ Hired by ]'s ] as managing editor and producer of the nightly tabloid television series, ], in the late 1980s, he helped develop and expand the tabloid television genre. In 1990, Kearns accompanied executive producer and genre inventor ] to Hollywood, where, as managing editor and producer of '']'' (1990–1993) and '']'' (1994), he continued to be an influential figure in the heyday of tabloid television.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/media/col/elde/1999/12/08/tabloid/index.html |title=Salon Media &#124; Tabloid nation |website=www.salon.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302192931/http://www.salon.com/media/col/elde/1999/12/08/tabloid/index.html |archive-date=2 March 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/burt_kearns.htm|title=Burt Kearns|website=www.lukeford.net|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OwOYQFjw-KgC&q=burt%2520kearns&pg=PA239|title=Mike Wallace: A Life|last=Rader|first=Peter|date=2012-04-13|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781466802254|language=en}}</ref> The range of his influence on the genre and its participants was laid out clearly in the 2012 biography, ''Mike Wallace: A Life'' by Peter Rader <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LrehuQAACAAJ|title=Mike Wallace: A Life|last=Rader|first=Peter|date=2012-01-01|publisher=Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning|isbn=9781410448927|language=en}}</ref> and Australian television executive ]'s 2011 memoir, ''Say It with Feeling''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781742610252&Author=Stone,%2520Gerald|title=Say it with Feeling - Pan Macmillan Australia|website=www.panmacmillan.com.au|access-date=2016-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114516/http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781742610252&Author=Stone,%20Gerald|archive-date=2014-08-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫ Graduated from ];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-fairfield-university-alumni-and-students/reference|title=Famous Fairfield University Alumni|website=Ranker}}</ref> became a reporter and editor for newspapers in southern ] and ]. After ]'s assassination on December 8, 1980, he moved to ], where he worked for neighborhood newspapers including The Westsider, East Side Express and Chelsea-Clinton News, and later at the assignment desk and as newswriter and show producer at ]'s ''10 O'Clock News''. Kearns became a producer and writer for such ] news operations as ]-TV's ] and ]' ] and ].<ref></ref> With a background as a music writer and early chronicler of the ] music scene early in his newspaper career<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203460853537627&set=o.28317327210&type=3&theater|title=Ulf Rasmussen {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/2016/01/hey-its-burt-kearns-joey-ramone-circa.html|title=Good Story News: Hey! It’s Burt Kearns & Joey Ramone, circa 1978|last=Team|first=The Good Story|date=2016-01-02|website=Good Story News|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> (he performed with Joey Ramone on the 45 rpm recording of Shrapnel's single, "Hey",<ref>]</ref> produced by Jonathan Paley), he also moonlighted as a writer for '']'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTuFggZ0EsIC|title=Cultural Studies: Volume 8|last=Grossberg|first=Lawrence|last2=Radway|first2=Janice|date=1994-11-24|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780203989630|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DYcbla8ulxkC|title=SPIN|last=LLC|first=SPIN Media|date=1988-09-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ffg2qNLJucC|title=SPIN|last=LLC|first=SPIN Media|date=1988-11-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bT9Dc3mzdZ8C|title=SPIN|last=LLC|first=SPIN Media|date=1989-03-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref>

⚫ Hired by ]'s ] as managing editor of the nightly tabloid television series, ] in the late 1980s, he helped develop and expand the tabloid television genre. In 1990, Kearns accompanied executive producer and genre inventor ] to Hollywood, where, as managing editor and producer of '']'' (1990–1993) and '']'' (1994), he continued to be an influential figure in the heyday of tabloid television.<ref></ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/burt_kearns.htm|title=Burt Kearns|website=www.lukeford.net|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OwOYQFjw-KgC&pg=PA239&dq=burt+kearns&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nr2pT-e2IuibiAL35uCRAQ&ved=0CG8Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=burt%2520kearns&f=false|title=Mike Wallace: A Life|last=Rader|first=Peter|date=2012-04-13|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781466802254|language=en}}</ref> The range of his influence on the genre and its participants was laid out clearly in the 2012 biography, ''Mike Wallace: A Life'' by Peter Rader <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LrehuQAACAAJ|title=Mike Wallace: A Life|last=Rader|first=Peter|date=2012-01-01|publisher=Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning|isbn=9781410448927|language=en}}</ref> and Australian television executive ]'s 2011 memoir, ''Say It with Feeling''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781742610252&Author=Stone,%2520Gerald|title=Say it with Feeling - Pan Macmillan Australia|website=www.panmacmillan.com.au|access-date=2016-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114516/http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781742610252&Author=Stone,%20Gerald|archive-date=2014-08-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Kearns (and his exploits covering the fall of the ]) was featured in ]'s 1991 memoir, ''Current Affairs: A Life on the Edge''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZrZAAAAMAAJ|title=Current Affairs: A Life on the Edge|last=Povich|first=Maury|date=1992-01-01|publisher=Berkley Books|isbn=9780425132449|language=en}}</ref> He was the model for the character Al Bunker, the tabloid television producer covering the fall of the ] in ]'s 1993 novel, ''Jacko: The Great Intruder''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/book-review--mateship-the-media-and-telemayhem-jacko--the-great-intruder-by-thomas-keneally-hodder-pounds-1599-1427466.html|title=BOOK REVIEW / Mateship, the media and tele-mayhem: Jacko - The great|website=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> Kearns (and his exploits covering the fall of the ]) was featured in ]'s 1991 memoir, ''Current Affairs: A Life on the Edge''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZrZAAAAMAAJ|title=Current Affairs: A Life on the Edge|last=Povich|first=Maury|date=1992-01-01|publisher=Berkley Books|isbn=9780425132449|language=en}}</ref> He was the model for the character Al Bunker, the tabloid television producer covering the fall of the ] in ]'s 1993 novel, ''Jacko: The Great Intruder''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/book-review--mateship-the-media-and-telemayhem-jacko--the-great-intruder-by-thomas-keneally-hodder-pounds-1599-1427466.html|title=BOOK REVIEW / Mateship, the media and tele-mayhem: Jacko - The great|website=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


==Awards== ==Awards==
Winner of 2015 Cannabis Film Festival Viewers' Choice Award as producer of '']''.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.420magazine.com/forums/420-documentaries/246179-high-there-wins-viewers-choice-award-1st-cannabis-film-festival.html|title=High There Wins Viewers Choice Award at 1st Cannabis Film Festival|website=www.420magazine.com|date=4 May 2015 |access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


⚫ Winner of 2009 ] ] Golden Ace Award <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001530/2009/1/|title = Las Vegas International Film Festival (2009)|website = ]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/search?q=golden+ace+award|title=Good Story News|website=goodstorynews.blogspot.com|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref> for directing and producing '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2009/04/seventh-python-wins-vegas-golden-ace.html|title=tabloid baby: The Seventh Python wins Vegas Golden Ace Award|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2009-04-13|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>
Winner of 2015 Cannabis Film Festival Viewers' Choice Award as producer of ].<ref name="auto"/>

⚫ Winner of 2009 ] ] Golden Ace Award <ref>https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001530/2009/1/</ref><ref>https://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/search?q=golden+ace+award</ref> for directing and producing ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tabloidbaby.blogspot.com/2009/04/seventh-python-wins-vegas-golden-ace.html|title=tabloid baby: The Seventh Python wins Vegas Golden Ace Award|last=Tabloidbaby|date=2009-04-13|website=tabloid baby|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


]-winning ], honored by ] chapter of the ] for contributing to the winning of Outstanding News Broadcast ] by ]'s ] at 6PM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/2014/09/emmy-anniversary.html|title=Good Story News: Emmy anniversary|first=The Good Story|last=Team|date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> ]-winning ], honored by ] chapter of the ] for contributing to the winning of Outstanding News Broadcast ] by ]'s '']'' at 6PM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goodstorynews.blogspot.com/2014/09/emmy-anniversary.html|title=Good Story News: Emmy anniversary|first=The Good Story|last=Team|date=September 24, 2014}}</ref>


==''True Tabloid Star''== ==''True Tabloid Star''==
In addition to numerous television appearances promoting his book, Kearns has appeared as an expert or "talking head" on many television specials and documentaries, including ''Kardashian: The Man Who Saved OJ Simpson'',<ref>https://decider.com/2017/06/12/new-o-j-simpson-documentary-on-netflix/</ref> ''Fame for 15’’,<ref>https://www.videodetective.com/show/fame-for-15-46419/season/2/episode/3</ref> ''Victim 0001’’,<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2544666/</ref><ref>https://www.pressreader.com/usa/usa-today-us-edition/20110902/285155765129350</ref> ''Rock Stars Do The Dumbest Things'',<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414457/</ref> ''Headliners & Legends with Matt Lauer'' <ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3500690/</ref> and ''When Cameras Cross The Line''.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0818547/</ref> He was also featured in the documentary, ''15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars.''<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1281943/</ref><ref>https://www.blurayauthority.com/standard-dvd/15-minutes-infinifilm/</ref> In addition to numerous television, radio and podcast appearances <ref>{{cite web | url=https://theshowwontgoon.com/radio-podcasts | title=Radio and Podcasts | access-date=2022-09-21 | archive-date=2019-10-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022170329/https://theshowwontgoon.com/radio-podcasts | url-status=dead }}</ref> promoting his books and other projects, Kearns has appeared as an expert or "talking head" on many television specials and documentaries, including ''Dark Side of The 90s: Tabloid TV'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/video/tabloid-tv/628d213495de0147d11a4691/|title = Dark Side of The 90s: Tabloid TV on Vice TV|date = July 2022}}</ref> ''Kardashian: The Man Who Saved OJ Simpson'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://decider.com/2017/06/12/new-o-j-simpson-documentary-on-netflix/|title = Did You Know There's a New O.J. Simpson Documentary on Netflix?|date = 12 June 2017}}</ref> ''Fame for 15'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.videodetective.com/show/fame-for-15-46419/season/2/episode/3|title=Fame for 15 - Season 2 Episode 3 - Video Detective|date=20 October 2002}}</ref> ''Victim 0001'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2544666/|title = Victim 0001|website = ]|date = 9 September 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/usa-today-us-edition/20110902/285155765129350|title=|via=PressReader|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref> ''Rock Stars Do The Dumbest Things'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414457/|title = Rock Stars do the Dumbest Things|website = ]|date = 8 November 2003}}</ref> ''Headliners & Legends with Matt Lauer'' <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3500690/|title = Rob Lowe|website = ]|date = 9 August 2001}}</ref> and ''When Cameras Cross The Line''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0818547/|title = When Cameras Cross the Line|website = ]|date = 19 October 2000}}</ref> He was also featured in the documentary ''15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1281943/|title = 15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars|website = ]|date = 14 August 2001}}{{user generated source|date=September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blurayauthority.com/standard-dvd/15-minutes-infinifilm/|title = Review &#124; 15 Minutes: Infinifilm|date = 28 January 2012}}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==

Latest revision as of 18:43, 29 December 2024

American film producer
Burt Kearns
NationalityAmerican
Alma materFairfield University
Occupations
  • author
  • writer
  • film director
  • journalist
  • television and film producer

Burt Kearns is an American author, journalist, and television and film producer, writer and director, whom Vanity Fair referred to as "a show business and pop culture savant."

Kearns's book, Shemp! The Biography of the Three Stooges' Shemp Howard, The Face of Film Comedy, was published on October 1, 2024, by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. Applause published Kearns’ book, Marlon Brando: Hollywood Rebel, on April 2, 2024.

His biography of actor Lawrence Tierney, Lawrence Tierney: Hollywood's Real-Life Tough Guy, was published in December, 2022 by the University Press of Kentucky. The Show Won't Go On: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage, which he wrote with Jeff Abraham, was published in 2019 by Chicago Review Press.

Kearns's first book, the television memoir Tabloid Baby, was published in 1999.

In 2018, he became a contributor to the literary pop culture website, PleaseKillMe.com. In December 2021, he began to contribute written and video pieces to Legs McNeil’s literary pop culture website, Legsville.com.

Television and film production

Writer and producer

Kearns is a creator and executive producer of Breaking the Ice, a docuseries following the first diverse, competitive synchronized ice skating team. The series premiered on July 6, 2023 on WE tv and streams on AMC's ALLBLK platform. He is a veteran nonfiction television producer, writer, showrunner and consultant on series and shows such as Who Do You Believe?; Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura; Guinness World Records Unleashed; True Tori; Way Out West; True Tori: True Confessions; L.A. Hair Confidential; Tori Spelling: Celebrity Lie Detector; Mystery Millionaire; Joe Rogan Questions Everything; Dumbest Stuff on Wheels; and Legend Quest.

He was executive producer of, and featured on-camera in, the Reelz nonfiction special program, Kardashian: The Man Who Saved OJ Simpson. He was executive producer of the Reelz nonfiction specials, Time Presents: Celebrities On Trial El Chapo & Sean Penn: Bungle In The Jungle; Entertainment Weekly Presents: 80s TV Stars - Where Are They Now?; and Time Presents: Milestones 2016 - A Tribute To The Stars We've Lost.

Kearns also produced the documentary films Death of a Beatle (2000) and Bin Laden's Escape (2005) (with Parco Productions). Directed and produced the documentary, Boxing: A Different Look for Showtime and Hollywood Animal Crusaders (featuring John Travolta, Cher, Don Johnson and Esai Morales) for Animal Planet. Co-producer of the HBO documentary Panic, starring Kim Basinger. Producer of Fox Television special, When Good Pets Go Bad 2, and executive producer of the syndicated series, Strange Universe.

Independent features and Good Story Productions

Kearns directed and produced the nonfiction film Telethon (2014) and produced the nonfiction film comedy High There which was released on VOD and limited edition DVD by BRINKvision on June 23, 2015.

Kearns directed, wrote and produced the nonfiction film, El Viaje Musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The Chris Montez Story, which was previewed on August 15, 2009 at the 35th annual The Fest For Beatles Fans in Chicago, November 21, 2009 at the Paso Robles Digital Film Festival and May 14, 2010 at the Pacific Palisades Film Festival.

High There and the Montez film were produced through his Good Story Productions production company.

Frozen Pictures

In 2000, Kearns formed the production company Frozen Television (later Frozen Pictures) with producer Brett Hudson, formerly of the Hudson Brothers musical comedy team. Kearns directed, wrote and produced many television shows and series under the Frozen banner, including the documentary series Adults Only: The Secret History of The Other Hollywood and The Secret History of Rock ‘n' Roll with Gene Simmons for Court TV; All the Presidents' Movies, narrated by Martin Sheen, for Bravo; and two seasons of the Showtime late night series My First Time.

He directed and produced the 2008 Frozen Pictures documentary musical film, The Seventh Python, about the career and influence of Monty Python collaborator and Bonzo Dog Band member Neil Innes, and directed and produced Basketball Man, the 2007 Frozen Pictures documentary film that featured basketball stars and legends telling the story of the life and legacy of the game's inventor, Dr. James Naismith. The film was released on DVD on May 8, 2007.

Kearns received international attention, including front page stories in The New York Times and USA Today, for his controversial Saintmychal.com website and documentary project that chronicled and inherently promoted the canonization of 9/11 hero Rev. Mychal Judge.

Cloud 9

Kearns wrote and produced the 20th Century Fox movie, Cloud 9 (starring Burt Reynolds), along with Hudson and Academy Award-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy. The film, a joint production of Frozen Pictures, Ruddy Morgan Productions and Graymark Productions (led by the film's executive producer, Academy Award-winning producer Gray Frederickson), was released on DVD by 20th Century Home Entertainment on January 3, 2006.

Tabloid Baby

Kearns left tabloid television and began writing Tabloid Baby in 1996. A combination memoir and exposé, the book was published in November 1999 by Hambleton-Hill's Celebrity Books imprint.

The book was praised by Mike Wallace of CBS News' 60 Minutes as "sad, funny, undeniably authentic" and by tabloid television host Maury Povich as "The Bible".

Early career

After graduation from Fairfield University; Kearns worked as a reporter and editor for the Acorn Press, a chain of newspapers in southern Connecticut and Westchester, New York. After John Lennon's assassination on December 8, 1980, he moved to Manhattan, where he reported and wrote for neighborhood newspapers including The Westsider, East Side Express and Chelsea-Clinton News, before being hired in August 1981 on the assignment desk, and later as newswriter and show producer, at WNEW-TV's 10 O'Clock News. Kearns moved on to became a show producer, field producer and newswriter for such New York City and network news operations as WNBC-TV's News 4 New York and CBS News' Nightwatch and CBS Morning News. With a background as a music writer and early chronicler of the punk music scene early in his newspaper career (he performed with Joey Ramone on the 45 rpm recording of Shrapnel's single, "Hey", produced by Jonathan Paley), he also moonlighted as a writer for Spin magazine.

Hired by Rupert Murdoch's 20th Century Fox as managing editor and producer of the nightly tabloid television series, A Current Affair, in the late 1980s, he helped develop and expand the tabloid television genre. In 1990, Kearns accompanied executive producer and genre inventor Peter Brennan to Hollywood, where, as managing editor and producer of Hard Copy (1990–1993) and Premier Story (1994), he continued to be an influential figure in the heyday of tabloid television. The range of his influence on the genre and its participants was laid out clearly in the 2012 biography, Mike Wallace: A Life by Peter Rader and Australian television executive Gerald Stone's 2011 memoir, Say It with Feeling.

Kearns (and his exploits covering the fall of the Berlin Wall) was featured in Maury Povich's 1991 memoir, Current Affairs: A Life on the Edge. He was the model for the character Al Bunker, the tabloid television producer covering the fall of the Berlin Wall in Thomas Keneally's 1993 novel, Jacko: The Great Intruder.

Awards

Winner of 2015 Cannabis Film Festival Viewers' Choice Award as producer of High There.

Winner of 2009 Las Vegas Film Festival Golden Ace Award for directing and producing The Seventh Python.

Emmy-winning newswriter, honored by New York City chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for contributing to the winning of Outstanding News Broadcast Emmy by WNBC-TV's News 4 New York at 6PM.

True Tabloid Star

In addition to numerous television, radio and podcast appearances promoting his books and other projects, Kearns has appeared as an expert or "talking head" on many television specials and documentaries, including Dark Side of The 90s: Tabloid TV, Kardashian: The Man Who Saved OJ Simpson, Fame for 15, Victim 0001, Rock Stars Do The Dumbest Things, Headliners & Legends with Matt Lauer and When Cameras Cross The Line. He was also featured in the documentary 15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars.

Personal life

Kearns is married to television producer Alison Holloway. The couple have two children.

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