Edward Burns Quotes

Powerful Edward Burns for Daily Growth

About Edward Burns

Edward Burns Quotes, born on February 17, 1968, in Queens, New York, is an American filmmaker, actor, and playwright who has made significant contributions to independent cinema. Known for his gritty storytelling and authentic portrayals of working-class life in New York City, Burns' works often reflect his experiences growing up in Woodside, Queens. After attending St. John's University, Burns developed a passion for filmmaking. In 1995, he wrote, directed, starred in, and financed "The Brothers McMullen," which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The success of this debut film opened doors for Burns to pursue his unique brand of storytelling. Burns continued to write, direct, and act in films such as "She's the One" (1996), "No Looking Back" (1998), "Sidewalks of New York" (2001), and "Nice Guy Johnny" (2007). His works often feature ensembles of characters connected by friendship or family, exploring themes of love, loss, and the complexities of adult relationships. In addition to his film career, Burns is also a successful playwright. His plays, including "Purple Heart" and "Shelter," have been staged off-Broadway. Throughout his career, Edward Burns has remained committed to independent filmmaking, often funding projects through crowd-source campaigns. His work continues to resonate with audiences for its authenticity and insight into human emotions and relationships.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The best thing about a secret is knowing it won't stay that way."

This quote suggests that secrets, by their nature, are intended to be shared or revealed at some point in time. The knowledge that they will not remain hidden forever provides the person with the secret with a sense of power or control over when and how it is disclosed. It also implies that secrets can cause tension and unease as long as they remain concealed, and their eventual revelation can bring relief or resolution to those involved.


"You can't change the people in your life, but you can change the way you choose to interact with them."

The quote suggests that while we cannot alter the fundamental qualities or behaviors of others, we have control over how we respond and engage with them. In essence, it encourages personal empowerment by choosing constructive interactions, thereby creating a more positive and fulfilling experience in our relationships.


"Relationships are never easy, but they should feel right, not like work all the time."

This quote suggests that while relationships inherently require effort and compromise, they should ideally bring a sense of harmony and contentment rather than constant strain or hardship. The phrase "feel right" implies that there should be an innate compatibility and positive connection between partners, not a constant struggle or feeling of obligation. It highlights the importance of choosing relationships that align with one's values, needs, and feelings in order to foster growth and happiness.


"Everybody wants to believe that their love story is going to be different, that it's going to last forever."

This quote by Edward Burns suggests a universal human desire for unique, enduring love stories. It implies that individuals harbor the hope that their romantic experiences will transcend the norm and prove exceptionally long-lasting. This optimism stems from the desire to believe in something special, a testament to humanity's inherent belief in the power of love to conquer all obstacles.


"Sometimes we have to let go of what we want most, for the person we love."

This quote by Edward Burns suggests that in certain relationships, sacrificing one's own desires or ambitions might be necessary to ensure the well-being and happiness of the loved one. It implies that love may require selflessness and understanding, where one is willing to put another's needs ahead of their own at times. The underlying message is that true love involves compromise and a deep respect for the other person's feelings and goals.


You know, I've certainly gone through periods, once I got into this business, where I tried to adopt maybe a more sophisticated style, 'cause they give you all these free clothes.

- Edward Burns

Through, Maybe, Cause, Sophisticated

Maybe I should have taken a few chances. That's not to say I want to go make 'Star Wars', but I need to shift my career into the studio world. That's where my head was at when I thought of the original plot.

- Edward Burns

Thought, Career, Studio, Chances

But the longer I'm in the business, you see a lot of times these screenplays have been rewritten 5 times and you're not really offending an author.

- Edward Burns

Business, Been, Offending, Screenplays

I spent four months in Prague in these blue rooms reacting to nothing and you basically place your faith in the hands of the director and the special effects co-coordinator and you keep your fingers crossed and hope that the creatures look really scary.

- Edward Burns

Special Effects, Rooms, Prague

People that went to art house theatre have more options, I used to go, but now think any movie can be delivered in a red envelope three months after it's released so why not watch it on my flat screen in the comfort of home.

- Edward Burns

Why, Movie, Screen, Why Not

It is a juggling act and I have been in it for 12 years now, which is about 11 years longer than I thought I would be, and then the priority there is thinking how can I stay somewhat irrelevant so that you can continue to survive and can continue to work and put yourself in a position to get to do the work you are truly passionate about.

- Edward Burns

Thought, Been, Irrelevant, To Survive

Woody Allen would go for seven years without a movie and then make one that makes no money.

- Edward Burns

Go, Movie, Allen, Woody

I am a big fan of the old Howard Hawks films from the 30s and 40s, I was a big Hepburn and Tracey fan for a while and Woody Allen films that are a very different kind of romantic comedy.

- Edward Burns

Big, Very, Allen, Woody

I mean the cool thing about the movies is that you get to try on these different personalities and different styles.

- Edward Burns

Cool, Different Styles, Different Personalities

'Brothers McMullen' would not be picked up for theatrical distribution now.

- Edward Burns

Brothers, Theatrical, Would, Distribution

I feel Irish-Americans are the forgotten minority group. Nobody else is making films about them.

- Edward Burns

Making, About, Films, Minority

Newlyweds shooting budget: 5k for actors, 2k insurance, 2k food and drink. 9k in the can. We only shot 12 days. That's how to make an independent film.

- Edward Burns

Insurance, Independent, Budget

That's my advice for indie filmmakers: Marry a supermodel.

- Edward Burns

Advice, Indie, Filmmakers, Supermodel

And at no point did making 'Brothers McMullen' feel like work or hardship. It was really just a matter of 11 days of fun over the course of 8 months.

- Edward Burns

Over, Making, Months, No Point

When I was 25 years old and had no money - and didn't know how to make movies and had no experience - I was able to get $25,000 together, and that film was 'The Brothers McMullen.'

- Edward Burns

Old, Brothers, Had, No Experience

I'm betting that in two years I'll be talking to you about a film that I shot on an iPhone. It's absolutely coming, I have no doubt in my mind.

- Edward Burns

Mind, Doubt, About, Betting

I suffer from Irish-Catholic guilt. Guilt is a good reality check. It keeps that 'do what makes you happy' thing in check.

- Edward Burns

Happy, Guilt, Makes, Keeps

So you got the cool New Yorkers, and then there are the less-than-cool New Yorkers.

- Edward Burns

Cool, New, Then, New Yorkers

I'd been offered TV series over the years and never had any interest in doing television. I'm not a TV guy.

- Edward Burns

Over, Been, TV, TV Series

Look: You're not gonna become a millionaire doing this, but that was never the point. And I think a lot of people in the indie film business kind of took their eye off of that.

- Edward Burns

Think, Indie, Film Business, Millionaire

It's so hard to raise money for independent films and the fact of the matter is that the bigger my star or whatever is, as a result of doing bigger pictures, the easier it is for me to get money for my own projects.

- Edward Burns

Doing, Fact, Films, Raise

I'm always aware of who my core audiences are and I serve that niche.

- Edward Burns

Always, Aware, Core, Niche

The con movie is a little bit different where maybe we tell you what we're going to do but it never goes down the way you expect because there's so much double-crossing and cheats and lies going on along the whole way.

- Edward Burns

Movie, Maybe, Con, Cheats

Well, for one thing, you know my dad was a cop.

- Edward Burns

Well, One Thing, Dad, Cop

Well, honestly, the films I personally like to go see are smaller, more character-driven pieces, so that's why the movies I've made have been smaller, more character-driven movies.

- Edward Burns

Been, Films, Smaller, Pieces

But at a certain point, you have to take your influence and find your own voice if you want to become a relevant artist.

- Edward Burns

Voice, Artist, Own, Certain Point

I was a kid who went to film school and fell into acting.

- Edward Burns

School, Kid, Fell, Film School

Spielberg gave us three takes before saying anything to us. Since then, I do that, three takes, to let the actors find their rhythm.

- Edward Burns

Rhythm, Before, Then, Spielberg

When you work with a DeNiro or Hoffman, they love what they do so much that there's never any competitive vibe. It's more about how do we do this thing together.

- Edward Burns

Love, Work, Vibe, Competitive

The stigma of the straight-to-DVD thing is over.

- Edward Burns

Over, Thing, Stigma

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.