(Born Jan. 29, 1968) Edward Burns Jr. is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Burns got his start in the film industry while working as a "go-fer" at Entertainment Tonight. While there, he financed, produced, and directed his first film, The Brothers McMullen, in his spare time. Once he completed the film, he got a copy to Robert Redford during an appearance he made at ET. Apart from The Brothers McMullen, Burns is known for his acting work on movies such as Sidewalks of New York, Saving Private Ryan, Confidence (aka CONfidence), and Life or Something Like It.