Jackson Burns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jackson Burns (born 1956) is an American stunt performer, stunt coordinator, writer, historian and actor.
Born July 29, 1956 in Poteau, Oklahoma. He is part Native American. Worked on Walker, Texas Ranger; The Con; and Fingerprints. He is the record holder for longest fire drag stunt from a vehicle at 246 feet, Burns was totally engulfed in flames at one point and damaged his Nomex fire suit ; most squib hits at once, 22 total in 15 seconds; and as stunt double for George Kennedy on the motion picture The Man Who Came Back, was dragged from the back of a horse by fellow stuntman, Jody Stelzig, doubling for Eric Braeden, for a record total distance of 282 feet. Jackson, was hit by a car at 17 mph as stunt double for James Gandolfini on the motion picture Dance With The Devil. This is considerably faster than normal stunt car hits and Burns broke the windshield, flew over the top of the car and rolled off of the back, without a scratch. He later performed a car hit for the same actor and movie, of which he launched himself from an 18 wheel truck into the windshied of a passing pickup truck and then rolled to the ground. Jackson Burns is known for using innovative techniques in his craft to bring realistic, sometimes gritty visions of violence, movement, behaviors and stimulations for motion pictures, television, theater and live events.
Renowned for his ability to enhance simple scenes into visually stimulating experiences. He is a master of movement and character development for actors and stunt performers and at times has even been instrumental in the 'feel' of the film, such as his work with Armand Assante and other actors in the motion picture Soul's Midnight.
Jackson was born in an economically depressed region, known to be the poorest in the state of Oklahoma (Little Dixie). Only child of Luther Jackson Burns and Ermaline Delora Lockhart. Father is of French/Scot-Irish/Cherokee heritage and mother is of Scot/Irish/Choctaw heritage. His father Luther, quit school in 6th grade to help work and take care of his sharecropper parents(also of very limited education) and his siblings. His mother Delora finished high school. Jackson finished high school and graduated in the Class of 1974, Heavener High School, Heavener, Oklahoma. Jackson also attended Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, Oklahoma for a short time.
To escape the poverty of his childhood, Burns worked at many endeavors including lumberjack, pipeliner, heavy equipment operator, hydrostatic tester, private investigator, Olan Mills portrait photographer, karate instructor, motorcycle racer, door installer, salesman and amusement park supervisor until he broke into the movie stunt business. This allowed him to focus his abilities in an area that interested him.
Having found the areas that keep his attention attracted, he has shown an extraordinary ability to adapt at many endeavors and sets himself apart from others in his fields of interests
His work as a community activist and precinct chair has been recognized by the Mayor Bill White of Houston, Texas issuing a Jackson Burns Day Proclamation, his work on elections was recognized by a resolution in his name issued by Harris County Commissioners Court.
His work on movies and television has won much acclaim, several world stunt records and many awards.
A dedicated and well read historian, his work on the Heavener Runestone and the other Oklahoma, so-called runestones, has attracted attention to his theories on their meanings and that only two are real. This is documented in the documentary film, Hidden Histories-Heavener Runstone, made in September, 2007.
Jackson's next historical documentary will be about the legendary Bandit Queen, Belle Starr and his award winning feature film scripts. Kiamichi Wind and The Ghost Riders are in development
Married to the Mexican actress/model Nelly Castrejon, they have one son.
