Tim Burton

Who is Tim Burton?

Tim Burton was born August 25, 1958 in Burbank, California. Burton grew up next door to the giant studios of the American film industry. His pleasure came from painting, drawing and films, especially the monster movies, Hammer horrors and the work of Ray Harryhausen.

In 1976 Burton enrolled at the animator’s breeding ground at California’s Institute of Arts, in his second year he entered into the Disney animation program and, two years later, he joined the ranks of Disney animators.






What is he famous for?

• In 1992, he directed 'Batman Returns', which was a lot darker than the original proving how much creative freedom he had gained. This was followed by 'Ed Wood' in 1994, which was a tribute to the 'worst director of all time' - Edward D Wood Jr. Despite the film failing to impress at the box-office, critics were full of praise for Burton.

• This was followed by 'Mars Attack' in 1996, which also failed to do well at the box-office but his next film proved to be a smash. 'Sleepy Hollow', which starred Depp, Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci, showed a return to the director's darker side in 1999 proving a success.

• In 2001, Burton remade the classic 'Planet of the Apes', on the set of which he met Helena Bonham Carter. He had divorced his first wife in 1991. The couple are now engaged and have two children together.

• Burton oscillates between Hollywood blockbusters and quieter, personal films not always rewarded with great box office success, but usually with critics' respect. After his parents died in quick succession, Burton made 'Big Fish', in 2003, the story of a man trying to reconnect with his dying father.

• 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' included Depp as Willy Wonka, and proved one of the most interesting blockbusters of 2005. That same year, he directed his first full-length stop-motion film 'The Corpse Bride', written for Bonham Carter who voiced Emily, with Depp providing the voice of the male lead.

• In 2006, Burton tried his hand at directing a music video. He directed the third single 'Bones' from the Killers' second album 'Sam's Town'.

• The director undertook another project with Depp and Carter in 2007, when he directed 'Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' - a musical take on the historical legend, which won numerous nominations for best director awards.

• On 5 March 2010, Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' was released. Set 13 years after the Lewis Carroll original, it proved a success and saw Depp play the Mad Hatter.

• In 2012, Burton is expected to remake 'Frankenweenie' into a full-length stop-motion film and release 'Dark Shadows', based on the TV series. It stars Depp as Barnabas Collins.