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Lee Burns was born in Germany to Army draftee Gary Burns and his wife Toni Wilson. Raised around Ft. Worth, Texas, Lee grew up in a strict religious household that prohibited movie attendance. His first theater experience came at age fourteen when his cousin sneaked him out to see "Dream a Little Dream," starring Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. Though captivated, Hollywood felt like a distant dream.
After high school and a brief period in community college, Lee began a career as a professional firefighter/paramedic. In his first year, he earned "Rookie of the Year" and set a new record on the tower obstacle time trial.
Lee’s entry into the entertainment world started when he sought part-time work alongside firefighting. David John Huber of Fashion Theater Dallas noticed Lee's potential and agreed to represent him as a model, on the condition that Lee try acting. Lee quickly discovered his passion for acting.
Following several national modeling campaigns, including the highly successful Six Alarm Jockey campaign for Jockey underwear—which led to a two-year nationwide tour and appearances on "Entertainment Tonight," "Extra," and CNN—Lee shifted his focus wholly to acting.
Within two and a half years, Lee became one of Texas’s most sought-after actors, starring in six independent films (four lead roles), a recurring role on "Walker, Texas Ranger," and two lead roles in made-for-TV movies for Paramount and VH1: "The Way She Moves" opposite Anna Beth Gish, and "Warning: Parental Advisory" with Jason Priestly and Mariel Hemingway. It was during this time he first worked with director Mark Waters, who said, "This role represents a thimble full of the talent [Lee] possesses. It's beneath [him] but it's the best I had to offer."
After leaving firefighting permanently and relocating to Hollywood to pursue acting full-time, Lee collaborated with Waters on two more films: "Freaky Friday" opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, and "Just Like Heaven" with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. Waters praised Lee as a chameleon actor, saying, "Within the first five minutes, I always forget that I'm watching Lee," and added, "Lee definitely has the whole package, the sky is the limit for him. I hope to find roles for him in all of my movies."
Lee has since appeared in projects for Paramount, Walt Disney, Universal, DreamWorks, NBC, CBS, Hallmark, Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, Warner Brothers, FOX, and TNT, including multiple appearances, as well as starring in independent films and a television pilot. Notably, he starred in the acclaimed indie film "Clean," which won eleven festival awards, including six Best Picture honors. Producer/Director Nyle Cavazos Garcia praised Lee’s portrayal of the troubled star Peter Best, stating, "Lee lifts his character from the page and adds layer after layer of the kind of magic that is far beyond what you could have imagined for the role." Television director Bethany Rooney, who cast Lee in the lead of her pilot "The Canyon Club," said, "Lee brought a sexy, intense, dangerous quality to his part, which really ignites the piece... I, as the audience, am drawn to him."
Lee has worked alongside top talent including Anna Beth Gish, Jason Priestly, Mariel Hemingway, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Ruffalo, Reese Witherspoon, Gary Sinise, Brooke Shields, David Carradine, Scott Glenn, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Chuck Norris.
Behind the scenes, Lee has gained extensive experience in the art department as a carpenter and set dresser, as well as working as a grip, gaffer, and in transportation across numerous film, television, and commercial productions.
In 2009, Lee founded Awareness Entertainment, a production company dedicated to creating financially successful films and TV projects that entertain, educate, and inspire audiences by promoting pro-survival awareness.
The company’s first project, the short film "Noble One," premiered to great acclaim at an event co-hosted by The Acting Center, Los Angeles, where Lee studies and teaches. Lee was the driving force behind "Noble One," serving as writer, producer, star of all five on-camera roles, production designer, costume designer, and editor.
As of early 2011, Lee is developing a feature film titled "Freedom for Joe" through Awareness Entertainment. He wrote and is producing the film, as well as starring in the title role. The project is produced in partnership with A-list producers John D. Schofield and Michael Pollack, and directed by industry veteran Stephen W. Bridgewater.
