Early life

Mark Burnett was born on 17 July 1960 in London, the only child of Archie and Jean Burnett, both Ford Motors factory workers, and was raised in Dagenham, Essex. His father was a Roman Catholic and his mother was a Presbyterian, although it is not known in which denomination he was raised. Aged 17, he enlisted in the British Army, and became a Section Commander in the Parachute Regiment. From 1978-82 he served with the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in C Company and saw action during the Falklands War.

Early career

In October 1982, Burnett emigrated to the United States, where his friend Nick Hill, who had emigrated from the UK several years earlier, was working as a nanny and chauffeur. Hill knew of an open position for a live-in nanny with the Jaeger family in affluent Beverly Hills. Despite having no experience as a nanny, Burnett went on the interview. The Jaegers, realizing the advantage of having a nanny and security at the same time, hired him. After a year of working for the Jaegers, he moved on to another family in the beach city of Malibu, California, taking care of two boys for $250 a week. He was eventually given a position in the insurance office owned by Burt, the father of the two boys. Two years later, Burnett rented a portion of a fence at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, and sold T-shirts for $18 each during weekends. Realizing he made more money selling T-shirts, he left his insurance job. In 1991, Burnett, and four others joined a French adventure competition, the Raid Gauloises. Afterward, Burnett saw a business opportunity in holding similar competitions. He purchased the format rights and brought a similar competition, Eco-Challenge, to America. Eco-Challenge launched Burnett's career as a television producer.

Productions

Burnett is best known for producing the hit reality show Survivor, which premiered in the summer of 2000 and was the most watched summer series since Sonny and Cher. Survivor was named the Number 1 reality series of all time by Entertainment Weekly in 2009.

Burnett has produced several other television franchises including: The Apprentice, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Shark Tank, and The Voice. He has maintained a strong presence in award show franchises, having produced the MTV Movie Awards (2007-2011), the annual People's Choice Awards (2010-present), the Spike Video Game Awards and the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Burnett has produced more than 2,900 hours of television programming which regularly airs in more than 70 countries. Past shows include Bully Beatdown, Combat Missions, The Contender, The Contender Asia, Expedition Africa, Expedition Impossible, How'd You Get So Rich?, Martha Stewart, My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad, On the Lot (a collaboration with Steven Spielberg), The Restaurant, Rock Star, Sarah Palin's Alaska, Stars Earn Stripes, Starmaker, Toughest Cowboy, and Wedding Day.

As well as his ongoing productions, Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, produced The Bible, a 10-hour History Channel drama based upon stories of the Bible. The Bible became the No. 1 new series on cable TV in 2013 and was the No. 1 series in Canada, Spain, and Portugal. In total, with subsequent airings, The Bible was seen by more than 100 million viewers.

After the success of The Bible, Burnett and Downey started developing more faith-based scripted series. A.D. The Bible Continues premiered on NBC on Easter Sunday 2015, and The Dovekeepers miniseries aired on CBS in Spring 2015.

In October 2013, NBC announced that it has reached a deal with Burnett and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic to produce a television series on which contestants will compete to win a spaceflight aboard SpaceShipTwo. The series will be titled Space Race, although it is currently undeterminable when the show will begin airing.

In September 2014, MGM acquired a 55 percent interest in One Three Media and LightWorkers Media, both operated by Burnett and his wife. The two companies will be consolidated into a new film and television company, United Artists Media Group. Burnett is UAMG's CEO and Downey is president of LightWorkers Media.

In December 2015, Burnett was named president of MGM Television and Digital Group, signing a five-year deal. Burnett’s appointment was set up to occur simultaneously with the closing of MGM’s acquisition of the remaining 45 percent of Hearst’s, Burnett’s and Roma Downey‘s interests in United Artists Media Group (UAMG), which will be absorbed under the MGM Television Group umbrella. MGM Television will now have numerous unscripted and scripted television shows airing on network and cable or in production including: The Voice (NBC); Survivor (CBS); Shark Tank (ABC); Beyond the Tank (ABC); Celebrity Apprentice (NBC); Fargo (FX);Vikings (HISTORY); Teen Wolf (MTV); 500 Questions (ABC); The People’s Choice Awards (CBS); Lucha Underground (El Rey Network) and America’s Greatest Makers (INTEL/Turner).

Personal life

In January 2004, Burnett began dating Downey. In November 2006, while the two were vacationing with their children in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, he proposed to her. They wed on 28 April 2007 in their Malibu home. The ceremony was officiated by Downey's former co star, Della Reese.

Both Burnett and Downey produced The Bible miniseries and are now co-owners of United Artists Media Group together with MGM and Hearst. In addition to their producing projects, the couple is heavily involved with philanthropic organizations Operation Smile and Compassion. In 2014, they announced a fundraising plan called Cradle of Christianity that aims to raise $25 million to help Iraqi and Syrian Christians and other minorities displaced by ISIL survive that upcoming winter.

Burnett was previously married to Dianne J. Burnett (née Valentine); they have two sons, James and Cameron. The couple filed for legal separation in September 2002 and a judgment for legal separation was granted in December 2003. They later divorced.

Awards, honours and affiliations

In 2004, Time called Burnett one of the Most Influential People in the World Today. Burnett was also named "Philanthropist of the Year" by the Reality Cares Foundation. He has won both Brandweek's "Marketer of the Year Award", the prestigious Rose d’Or Frapa Format Award, the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award and the Norman Lear Award from the Producers Guild of America.

Burnett served for two years on the Board of Directors for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. In November 2007, Burnett was elected into the Broadcast & Cable Hall of Fame and in 2008, it was announced that he would be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On 8 July 2009, Burnett received a star at 6664 Hollywood Blvd. In June 2011, Burnett was elected into the Producers Guild of America Council Board of Delegates and currently serves on the Producers Council. He is an ambassador for Operation Smile.

In 2013, the ten-hour mini-series The Bible received the Parents Television Council 2013 Seal of Approval. Shark Tank, The Voice, and Survivor were all nominated for Critics Choice Awards, at which the Voice won for Best Reality Series - Competition. The three shows were nominated for the Television Critics Association Awards, at which 'Shark Tank won for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming.

In 2013, The Voice, Shark Tank and The Bible were nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards; "The Voice" won for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program. "The Voice" and "Shark Tank" were nominated at the 2015 Critics’ Choice Television Awards, at which "Shark Tank" won for Best Reality Series.

In 2014, Burnett and his wife Roma Downey were recipients of the Anti-Defamation League’s Entertainment Industry Award.

Awards

Special Awards

• 2004: Brandweek Marketer of the Year Award
• 2004: Reality Cares Foundation 'Philanthropist of the Year'
• 2004: 'Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award'
• 2004: Time Magazine: 'Time 100: 100 Most Influential People in the World Today'
• 2005: Rose d’Or Frapa Format Award
• 2009: Producers Guild of America 'Norman Lear Award'
• 2009: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star: 'Excellence in Television'
• 2010: Producers Guild of America 'Lifetime Achievement Award in Television'
• 2013: TV Guide Magazine 'Producer of the Year'
• 2013: The Dove Foundation Recognition of 'Son of God'
• 2014: Anti-Defamation League 'Entertainment Award'

Nominations and wins

Year	Award	Category	Nominated Work	Result
1999	Sports Emmy Award	Best Program Achievement	Eco-Challenge: Morocco	Won
2001	Publicists Guild of America	Maxwell Weinberg Publicists Showmanship Award for Television	Survivor	Won
2001	Reggie Awards	Super Reggie for Multi-Channel Integrated Promotion Involving Consumer and Trade Special	Survivor	Won
2001	GLAAD Award	Recognition Award	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2001	Diversity Awards	Most Diverse Television Ensemble Cast	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2001	Family Television Awards	Reality/ Alternative Programming	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2001	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite Reality Based Television Program	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2001	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Non-Fiction Programming	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2001	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for Non-Fiction Programming	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2002	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Special Class Program	Survivor	Nominated
2002	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for a Series	Survivor: Africa	Nominated
2002	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for VMC Programming	Survivor: Africa	Nominated
2002	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Non-Fiction Programming	Survivor: Marquesas	Nominated
2002	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite Reality Based Television Program	Survivor: The Australian Outback	Won
2003	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program	Survivor: Thailand and Survivor: Amazon (judged as one show)	Nominated
2003	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor: Thailand and Survivor: Amazon (judged as one show)	Nominated
2003	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor: Thailand and Survivor: Amazon (judged as one show)	Nominated
2003	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality Competition Program	Survivor: Thailand and Survivor: Amazon (judged as one show)	Nominated
2003	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite Reality Based Television Program	Survivor: Thailand	Won
2003	TV Week's Annual Critics Poll	Number 1 Reality Show	Survivor	Won
2003	TV Week's Annual Critics Poll	Number 7 Favorite Show	Survivor	Won
2004	TV Critic's Association Awards	Program of the Year	The Apprentice	Won
2004	Producers Guild of America	Television Producer of the Year in Reality/ Game/ Informational Series	Survivor	Won
2004	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite Reality Based Television Program	Survivor	Won
2004	Teen Choice Awards	Breakout TV Show	The Apprentice	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming	The Apprentice	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming	The Apprentice	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	The Apprentice	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming	The Apprentice	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	Survivor	Nominated
2004	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2005	British Academy Television Awards	Best Feature	The Apprentice	Won
2005	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2005	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2005	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	Survivor	Nominated
2005	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming	The Apprentice	Nominated
2005	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming	The Apprentice	Nominated
2005	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	The Apprentice	Nominated
2006	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Service Show	Martha	Nominated
2006	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2006	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2006	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	Survivor	Nominated
2006	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2006	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2006	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming	The Apprentice	Nominated
2007	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2007	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lifestyle Program	Martha	Nominated
2008	Young Artist Award	Best Family Television Reality Show, Game Show, or Documentary	Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?	Won
2008	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Game Show	Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?	Nominated
2008	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite Game Show	Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?	Nominated
2008	Kids Choice Awards	Favorite Reality Show	Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?	Nominated
2009	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	The Celebrity Apprentice	Nominated
2009	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming	Survivor: Tocantins	Nominated
2009	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality- Competition	Survivor: Tocantins	Won
2010	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains	Nominated
2010	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality- Competition Program	Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains	Won
2010	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming	Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains	Won
2011	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lifestyle Program	Martha	Won
2011	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	Survivor: Redemption Island	Nominated
2011	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality- Competition Program	Survivor: Redemption Island	Won
2011	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming	Survivor: Redemption Island	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	Survivor: South Pacific	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming	Survivor: South Pacific	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming	The Voice	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special	The Voice	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lighting Design/ Lighting Direction for a Variety Series	The Voice	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	The Voice	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality Program	Shark Tank	Nominated
2012	British Academy Television Awards	Best Reality & Constructed Factual	The Young Apprentice	WON
2013	TCA Awards	Reality	Shark Tank	Won
2013	TCA Awards	Reality	Survivor	Nominated
2013	TCA Awards	Reality	The Voice	Nominated
2013	Critics' Choice Awards	Best Reality Series- Competition	Shark Tank	Nominated
2013	Critics' Choice Awards	Best Reality Series- Competition	Survivor	Nominated
2013	Critics' Choice Awards	Best Reality Series- Competition	The Voice	WON
2013	Parents Television Council	Seal of Approval	The Bible	WON
2013	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lifestyle Program	Martha	WON
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)	Survivor: Philippines	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor: Philippines	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming	Survivor: Philippines	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	Survivor: Caramoan	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor: Caramoan	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming	Survivor: Philippines	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality- Competition Program	The Voice	WON
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming	The Voice	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Hairstyling for Multi-Camera Series or Special	The Voice	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lighting Design/ Lighting Direction for a Variety Series	The Voice	WON
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series	The Voice	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality Program	Shark Tank	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Miniseries or Movie	The Bible	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Editing for Miniseries, Movie, or a Special	The Bible	Nominated
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie	The Bible	Nominated
2013	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite TV Movie/Miniseries	The Bible	Nominated
2013	Peoples Choice Awards	Favorite Competition TV Show	The Voice	WON
2013	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Editing for Miniseries, Movie, or a Special	The Bible	Nominated
2013	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television	Shark Tank	Nominated
2013	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Competition Television	The Voice	WON
2014	Hollywood Reporter Reality Power List	No. 1 Reality Producer
2014	TCA	Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming	Shark Tank	Nominated
2014	TCA	Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming	The Voice	Nominated
2014	TCA	Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2014	TCA	Career Achievement	Mark Burnett	Nominated
2014	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Reality Series - Competition	Survivor	Nominated
2014	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Reality Series - Competition	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Reality Series - Competition	Shark Tank	WON
2014	Teen Choice Awards	Best Reality Competition Show	The Voice	WON
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Structured Reality Program	Shark Tank	WON
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing for a Nonfiction Program	Shark Tank	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Series	Survivor	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing for a Nonfiction Program	Survivor	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality-Competition Program	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Series	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Hairstyle for a Multi-Camera Series	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Interactive Program	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special	The Voice	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Art Direction for Variety, Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Programming	The Voice	Nominated
2014	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Competition Television	The Voice	WON
2014	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television	Shark Tank	Nominated
2015	PCA Awards	Favorite Competition TV Show	The Voice	WON
2015	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Competition Television	The Voice	WON
2015	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television	Shark Tank	Nominated
2015	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Reality Series - Competition	The Voice	Nominated
2015	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Reality Series	Shark Tank	WON
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Structured Reality Program	Shark Tank	WON
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing	Shark Tank	Nominated
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Reality-Competition Program	The Voice	WON
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Production Design for Variety Non Fiction Reality or Reality-Competition	The Voice	Nominated
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Technical Direction, Camera Work, Video Control for a Series	The Voice	Nominated
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Hairstyling for a multi camera series or special	The Voice	Nominated
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lighting Design for a Variety Series	The Voice	WON
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound mixing for a Variety Series	The Voice	Nominated
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2015	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Picture Editing for a Reality Programming	Survivor	Nominated
2015	46th Annual Dove Awards	Outstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music Award		WON
2016	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television	Shark Tank	Nominated
2016	PGA Awards	Outstanding Producer of Competition Television	The Voice	WON
2016	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series	The Voice	Nominated
2016	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series	Shark Tank	Nominated
2016	Critic's Choice Awards	Structured Reality Show	Shark Tank	WON
2016	Critic's Choice Awards	Reality Show - Competition	The Voice	WON
2016	Critic's Choice Awards	Reality Show - Competition	Survivor	Nominated
2016	People's Choice Awards	Favorite TV Show	The Voice	Nominated
2016	People's Choice Awards	Favorite Competition TV Show	The Voice	WON
2016	NATPE Reality Breakthrough Awards		Shark Tank	Nominated

Published works

• Mark Burnett (2001). Dare to Succeed:How to Survive and Thrive in the Game of Life. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 0-7868-6849-X.
• Mark Burnett (2005). Jump In!: Even If You Don't Know How to Swim. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-345-48098-8.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]