Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1985-01-28
- Born Place: Austin, Texas, USA
Aaron Burns
Born on January 28, 1985, in Houston, Texas, Aaron Burns is a multifaceted American filmmaker whose career spans acting, directing, producing, and high-level visual effects work. He first entered the film industry in the mid-2000s, gaining technical experience as a graphic designer on Frank Miller’s Sin City (2005) and as a 2D artist on Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse (2007). These early roles established his reputation as a skilled technician, eventually leading him to more creative positions such as writer, director, and producer for his 2011 independent feature Blacktino, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival. Burns is widely recognized for his intense performance as Jonah in Eli Roth’s cannibal horror film The Green Inferno (2013). Beyond his on-screen role, he was a vital part of the production team, serving as the second unit director and the senior visual effects generalist. This collaboration with Roth continued with roles in the thriller Knock Knock (2015), where he played Louis, and production work on other projects like Aftershock (2012) and The Stranger (2014). His ability to balance visceral acting with technical directing and editing has made him a frequent and trusted partner for genre filmmakers. In a significant career shift, Burns has more recently become a prominent figure in the faith-based and family adventure film market. He contributed to the success of major hits like War Room (2015), which reached the top of the US box office, and served as a producer on the record-setting Beyond the Mask. He has since moved into the director’s chair for high-profile projects such as Sony's Legacy Peak (2022) and the western Birthright: Outlaw (2023). Currently, he leads his own production studio, Burns & Co., and is attached to direct the 2026 biopic Jimmy, which explores a transformative period in the life of Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart.
