Michael J. Burg
Encyclopedia
Michael James Burg is an American actor.
and grew up in Rock Port, Missouri
; the only child of James Kenneth Burg, a wealthy farmer and LaVerta Viola (Lane), a lifelong nurse and the only daughter of successful Missouri farmers, Harry and Viola Lane. His parents divorced when he was a boy. Burg lived in Missouri until the age of 19, working in radio, at stations KTRX 93.5 and KKJO
, until moving to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
.
, playing the small role of "Brian" for two years in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania
's High School storyline. During his early twenties he supported himself doing extra work, under-five work and varied principal roles on One Life to Live
, Loving
, Guiding Light
, Another World
, As the World Turns
, The City and All My Children
; becoming a vested member of the AFTRA retirement program by the age of 28.
Burg was invited to become a member of the Actors Studio
at the age of 21. He appeared in many productions there; including "The Employment Agency" opposite Sylvia Miles
, directed by Frank Corsaro
; and an acclaimed 1997 production of The Glass Menagerie
, playing what was called at the time, "the definitive Tom Wingfield"; that production was beautifully produced and directed by The Actors Studio's Elizabeth Kemp.
Burg's career finally gained momentum and attention when he was cast as Truman Capote
, opposite Jennifer Love-Hewitt, in The Audrey Hepburn Story
. Burg is known for playing scene stealing character roles in such films as: Able Danger
, Hungry Years from Isaak James
and Eva James, Taking Woodstock
, Capote
, "Anything But Love" and "Noise", opposite Tim Robbins
.
In 2010, Burg took on the role of executive producer, with the feature film "TURBINE", his second outing with Isaak James
and Eva James and their company Last Ditch Pictures.
, is that Burg played him three times: The Audrey Hepburn Story
, The Hoax
, in deleted scenes; and ABC-TV's short-lived "Life on Mars" (2009). Burg also appeared as "Williams" (i.e.: Tennessee Williams
) in the film Capote
.
, was inspired by the real life persona of Delmart Vreeland
.
, including one for Entertainment Tonight
. He lives alone in Manhattan
's Columbus Circle
area and apparently is somewhat of an astrologer. After his father's death, when he was still in high school, he inherited his paternal families 6th generation farmland located in Atchison County, Missouri
, which is now doubling as a wind farm
. Burg visits Rock Port, Missouri
regularly throughout the year and is a member of The United Methodist Church there.
adage: "When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."
Early life
Burg was born on December 28, 1968 in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
and grew up in Rock Port, Missouri
Rock Port, Missouri
Rock Port is a city in Clay Township, Atchison County, Missouri, United States and the county seat of Atchison County. The population was 1,318 at the 2010 census...
; the only child of James Kenneth Burg, a wealthy farmer and LaVerta Viola (Lane), a lifelong nurse and the only daughter of successful Missouri farmers, Harry and Viola Lane. His parents divorced when he was a boy. Burg lived in Missouri until the age of 19, working in radio, at stations KTRX 93.5 and KKJO
KKJO
KKJO-FM is a radio station in St. Joseph, Missouri, broadcasting at 105.5 on the FM dial. The station airs a hot adult contemporary format with the brand name K-Jo 105.5.-History:...
, until moving to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
.
Career
Burg's first professional job was at the age of 21 for All My ChildrenAll My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
, playing the small role of "Brian" for two years in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania
Pine Valley, Pennsylvania
Pine Valley, Pennsylvania is the fictional setting for the long-running American soap opera All My Children. It is a small suburb of Philadelphia...
's High School storyline. During his early twenties he supported himself doing extra work, under-five work and varied principal roles on One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
, Loving
Loving
-Places:* Loving, New Mexico, a village located in Eddy County, New Mexico.* Loving County, Texas, the least populous county in the U.S.-Things:* Love, a range of human emotions* Loving , a 1945 novel by Henry Green....
, Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
, Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
, As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
, The City and All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
; becoming a vested member of the AFTRA retirement program by the age of 28.
Burg was invited to become a member of the Actors Studio
Actors Studio
The Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights at 432 West 44th Street in the Clinton neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded October 5, 1947, by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, Robert Lewis and Anna Sokolow who provided...
at the age of 21. He appeared in many productions there; including "The Employment Agency" opposite Sylvia Miles
Sylvia Miles
-Early life and career:Miles was born Sylvia Reuben Lee in New York City, the daughter of Belle and Reuben Lee, a furniture maker....
, directed by Frank Corsaro
Frank Corsaro
Frank Corsaro is one of America's foremost stage directors of opera and theatre. His Broadway productions include The Night of the Iguana ....
; and an acclaimed 1997 production of The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie is a four-character memory play by Tennessee Williams. Williams worked on various drafts of the play prior to writing a version of it as a screenplay for MGM, to whom Williams was contracted...
, playing what was called at the time, "the definitive Tom Wingfield"; that production was beautifully produced and directed by The Actors Studio's Elizabeth Kemp.
Burg's career finally gained momentum and attention when he was cast as Truman Capote
Truman Capote
Truman Streckfus Persons , known as Truman Capote , was an American author, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's and the true crime novel In Cold Blood , which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At...
, opposite Jennifer Love-Hewitt, in The Audrey Hepburn Story
The Audrey Hepburn Story
The Audrey Hepburn Story is a 2000 television movie biography of actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. Jennifer Love Hewitt, who also produced the film, starred as the actress although her casting drew criticism from some of Hepburn's fans and the media...
. Burg is known for playing scene stealing character roles in such films as: Able Danger
Able Danger
Able Danger was a classified military planning effort led by the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Defense Intelligence Agency...
, Hungry Years from Isaak James
Isaak James
Isaak James is an American film director, actor, singer and musician. He is the founder of Last Ditch Pictures. James is based in New York.- Film :James has appeared as an actor in several films...
and Eva James, Taking Woodstock
Taking Woodstock
Taking Woodstock is a 2009 American comedy-drama film about the Woodstock Festival of 1969, directed by Ang Lee. The screenplay by James Schamus is based on the memoir Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert, and a Life by Elliot Tiber and Tom Monte.The film premiered at the 2009 Cannes...
, Capote
Capote
-People:* American writer Truman Capote** Capote , a film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote* Capote Band of Utes, a branch of the Ute people-Other:* Capote , Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse...
, "Anything But Love" and "Noise", opposite Tim Robbins
Tim Robbins
Timothy Francis "Tim" Robbins is an American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, activist and musician. He is the former longtime partner of actress Susan Sarandon...
.
In 2010, Burg took on the role of executive producer, with the feature film "TURBINE", his second outing with Isaak James
Isaak James
Isaak James is an American film director, actor, singer and musician. He is the founder of Last Ditch Pictures. James is based in New York.- Film :James has appeared as an actor in several films...
and Eva James and their company Last Ditch Pictures.
Truman Capote
A minor footnote to the life of Truman CapoteTruman Capote
Truman Streckfus Persons , known as Truman Capote , was an American author, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's and the true crime novel In Cold Blood , which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At...
, is that Burg played him three times: The Audrey Hepburn Story
The Audrey Hepburn Story
The Audrey Hepburn Story is a 2000 television movie biography of actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. Jennifer Love Hewitt, who also produced the film, starred as the actress although her casting drew criticism from some of Hepburn's fans and the media...
, The Hoax
The Hoax
The Hoax is a 2007 American drama film directed by Lasse Hallström. The screenplay by William Wheeler is based on the book of the same title by Clifford Irving and focuses on the autobiography Irving supposedly helped Howard Hughes write...
, in deleted scenes; and ABC-TV's short-lived "Life on Mars" (2009). Burg also appeared as "Williams" (i.e.: Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams
Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams III was an American writer who worked principally as a playwright in the American theater. He also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs...
) in the film Capote
Capote
-People:* American writer Truman Capote** Capote , a film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote* Capote Band of Utes, a branch of the Ute people-Other:* Capote , Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse...
.
Delmart Vreeland
Burg's ominously fun character "Axel", in the 2008 feature film Able DangerAble Danger
Able Danger was a classified military planning effort led by the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Defense Intelligence Agency...
, was inspired by the real life persona of Delmart Vreeland
Delmart Vreeland
Delmart "Mike" Vreeland , near Grosse Pointe, Michigan became notable for claiming to predict the events of September 11, 2001....
.
Personal life
Burg declined any discussion of his private life, during numerous interviews for The Audrey Hepburn StoryThe Audrey Hepburn Story
The Audrey Hepburn Story is a 2000 television movie biography of actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. Jennifer Love Hewitt, who also produced the film, starred as the actress although her casting drew criticism from some of Hepburn's fans and the media...
, including one for Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
. He lives alone in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
's Columbus Circle
Columbus Circle
Columbus Circle, named for Christopher Columbus, is a major landmark and point of attraction in the New York City borough of Manhattan, located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South , and Central Park West, at the southwest corner of Central Park. It is the point from...
area and apparently is somewhat of an astrologer. After his father's death, when he was still in high school, he inherited his paternal families 6th generation farmland located in Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 5,685. Its county seat is Rock Port. The county was organized in 1845 and named for David Rice Atchison, U.S...
, which is now doubling as a wind farm
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
. Burg visits Rock Port, Missouri
Rock Port, Missouri
Rock Port is a city in Clay Township, Atchison County, Missouri, United States and the county seat of Atchison County. The population was 1,318 at the 2010 census...
regularly throughout the year and is a member of The United Methodist Church there.
Alcoholism and addiction
Burg is active in recovery groups in New York City and subscribes to the Bill W.Bill W.
William Griffith Wilson , also known as Bill Wilson or Bill W., was the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous , an international mutual aid fellowship with over two million members belonging to 100,800 groups of alcoholics helping other alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety...
adage: "When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."
External links
- http://www.hungryyearsthemovie.com/
- http://www.michaeljburg.com/