Kevin Burns, the Emmy-winning television producer and creator of popular shows like Ancient Aliens and The Girls Next Door, died of cardiac arrest on September 27, 2020, at the age of 65. He was the president and founder of Prometheus Entertainment, a company that produced more than 800 hours of television programming for various networks. He was also the co-founder of Synthesis Entertainment, which developed and produced remakes and sequels of the classic Irwin Allen movies and television series, such as the Netflix reboot of Lost in Space.
Early Life and Career
Burns was born on June 18, 1955, in Schenectady, New York. He graduated cum laude from Hamilton College in 1977 and received a master’s degree in film from Boston University in 1981. He also won a Student Academy Award for his first film, I Remember Barbra, a documentary short about Barbra Streisand’s impact on her former Brooklyn neighborhood. He taught film production at Boston University and headed the school’s Film Unit, a group that allowed students to gain real-world experience by producing commercials, documentaries, and other projects for clients.
In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles and began working as an executive at 20th Century Fox Television. He co-founded Foxstar Productions, where he developed and produced a series of Alien Nation movies for television. He also founded Van Ness Films, a subsidiary of Foxstar, where he produced 166 episodes of the A&E series Biography, winning an Emmy in 2002. He also won a Daytime Emmy in 2003 for AMC’s Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s.
Prometheus and Synthesis Entertainment
In 1999, Burns officially made the transition from a studio executive to a full-time producer. He founded Prometheus Entertainment, a company that specialized in documentary, reality, and non-fiction programming and specials. He created and produced shows such as E!’s The Girls Next Door, WEtv’s Kendra on Top, History’s Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island, and National Geographic’s Hollywood Science. He also produced docudramas such as Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman, Spider-Man Tech, Indiana Jones and the Ultimate Quest, Batman Unmasked, and Angels & Demons: Decoded.
Also in 1999, Burns met Jon Jashni, a Fox film executive who shared his interest in the works of legendary Hollywood producer Irwin Allen. They formed Synthesis Entertainment and began developing and producing remakes and sequels of the Allen properties, such as the feature film versions of Poseidon (2006) and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. In 2016, Synthesis joined Legendary Entertainment in launching the new Lost in Space series that premiered on Netflix in 2018 and is currently in its second season.
Legacy and Tributes
Burns was known for his passion, creativity, and humor. He was a fan of pop culture, science fiction, and history, and he brought his enthusiasm and knowledge to his projects. He was also a mentor and a friend to many in the entertainment industry. He is survived by his niece Jill.
Many of his colleagues and collaborators paid tribute to him on social media and in the press. Robert Clotworthy, the narrator of Ancient Aliens, tweeted, “I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mr. Kevin Burns yesterday. Not only was he my boss, he was my friend. He was creative, funny, generous, brilliant, tough, wise, curious, opinionated, loyal and loved life. Thank you Kevin. You live eternally in my heart.”
Zachary Quinto, who starred in the Poseidon remake, wrote on Instagram, “Kevin Burns was a kind and generous man who always made me feel welcome and appreciated. He was a passionate storyteller and a fan of the fantastic. He championed creativity and supported his collaborators. I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me to be a part of his world. He will be missed.”
Molly Parker, who plays Maureen Robinson on Lost in Space, said in a statement, “Kevin Burns was a lovely man and a great producer. He loved Lost in Space and was always so supportive and enthusiastic about the show. He will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of working with him.”
Kevin Burns left a legacy of entertainment that spanned genres, mediums, and generations. He was a visionary producer who brought joy and wonder to millions of viewers around the world. He will be remembered as a master of his craft and a lover of life.
