Jere Burns Biography

Fast Facts

• In 2000, he was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series
• In 1980, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• After leaving college, he got his big break when he was cast in the lead role in "Don Juan" at the New York Shakespeare Festival
• Before becoming involved with acting, he worked as a cab driver and lifeguard
• Made his screen acting debut in the TV series "Hill Street Blues" in 1984
• Quote: "Maybe I have a dark side․․․or maybe it's just really fun․ I'd rather play [the villain] than the dad, especially when you get the opportunity to play a guy with layers․․․There's nothing more fun than a crazy, really smart guy․"
• Best known for his role as Kirk Morris in "Dear John" and as Wynn Duffy in "Justified․"
• Is widely recognized by his raspy, nasal speaking voice
• Has performed in the Broadway plays "Hairspray" and "After the Night and the Music․"
• In 1997, he saved the life of a heart-attack victim by performing CPR