The godfather of American reality television and a pioneer of in-program product placement, this British-born entrepreneur is responsible for the unscripted megahits
Survivor and
The Apprentice. Before getting into entertainment, Burnett saw combat as a member of the British Army Parachute Regiment and was a self-declared thrill seeker. While participating in an extreme race called Raid Gauloises in the early '90s, he got the idea to film it and eventually gave the footage to ESPN in exchange for half the commercials, which he sold at a profit. Thus began his showbiz career. In 2000 Burnett rocketed to fame and fortune as the producer of
Survivor, based on a Swedish show. Despite some subsequent high-profile disappointments (
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,
The Contender), he continues to dominate the genre.
Mark Burnett Fast Facts:- Joined the British Army at age 17 and served from 1977-82. Was member of the British Army Parachute Regiment and received active service medals in both the Northern Island and Falklands conflicts.
- Moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and took the one job he could find as a nanny.
- Honed marketing skills selling T-shirts on Venice Beach.
- Became a U.S. citizen in 1990.
- Created Eco-Challenge, his first TV series, in 1995 after participating in the Raid Gauloises, an annual endurance race.
- In 1996 purchased the U.S. rights to Expedition Robinson, a Swedish reality series, and developed the concept into Survivor.
- Mark Burnett Relationships:
- Archie Burnett - Father
- Cameron - Son
- Diane Burnett - Ex-wife
- James - Son
- Reilly Anspaugh - Stepdaughter
- Roma Downey - Wife
- Mark Burnett Awards:
- 2003 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2003 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2002 Emmy: Outstanding Special Class Program - Nominee
- 2002 Emmy: Outstanding Special Class Program - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Special Class) - Winner
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Special Class) - Nominee
