# Jim Burke (film producer)

Jim Burke Jr. is an American film producer.
Burke, who is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, was a founding member of Rysher Entertainment. He was the President of Ad Hominem Enterprises, a production company he shared with Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. The company had a first look deal with Fox Searchlight Pictures. He also served as President of Production at Focus Features.
On January 24, 2012, he was nominated for an Oscar for the movie The Descendants.
In 2019, he won the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing Green Book.
Over his career, Burke has been involved with films that have garnered 27 Academy Award nominations and 7 Oscars.
Burke is living in Hawaii and has nearly completed his final film as a producer. He is married to Christina Simpkins and father to New York sports broadcaster Madelyn Burke.

## Early life and career

Burke is the oldest of six children born and raised in Edina, Minnesota. Burke graduated from the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts. In 2011, he was honored with the University's Alumni of Notable Achievement Award.
Prior to his senior year, he arranged for his family to audition for the popular game show Family Feud. Selected as contestants, against all odds, his family won. It was that experience in Los Angeles that enabled Burke to believe a career in show business was achievable.
His first job was as a “satellite jockey” coordinating news and sports satellite feeds. In that job he was introduced to the business of television syndication—the sales of film and television shows to broadcasters nationwide.

### Lorimar Television / Warner Bros

Within a year, he landed a job at Lorimar Television, which soon after was acquired by Warner Bros. During his 7 years at Warner, after watching thousands of Warner Bros. films, Burke grew to become the studio's authority on its vast film library.

### Rysher Entertainment

When the opportunity arose, he followed his dream and pursued a career in filmmaking. He was a founding member of Rysher Entertainment—a fledgling film and television company which soon after scored a notable success with the hit syndicated TV show, Saved By The Bell. The enormous profits that show provided were immediately plowed into a small film slate, primarily for HBO.
Rysher was then bought by Cox Communications and provided with the resources to make a full slate of theatrical films. Over the next 5 years Burke supervised the development, production and release of over 30 films. Some of the most notable were, Primal Fear, Private Parts, Kiss the Girls, The Saint, Kingpin, Big Night, and Hard Eight. The experience was invigorating but impersonal. Burke wanted to get closer to the films and make a stylistic imprint.

### Ad Hominem

While at Rysher, Burke read a script written by two friends entitled Election. It was the best script he had ever read and was driven to getting it made. When making Election he formed a bond with writer Jim Taylor and director Alexander Payne. Sharing the same film aesthetic, the decided to form a production company, Ad Hominem. Ad Hominem, funded by Fox Searchlight, was dedicated to making human films.
At Ad Hominem the trio made several films including The Savages, and Oscar nominated The Descendants, starring George Clooney. Burke spent 7 months in Honolulu while making The Descendants and fell in love with Hawaii's history, culture and people.

### Focus Features

While preparing the film Downsizing, Burke was unexpectedly approached with an offer to become the President of Production for specialized film groundbreaker and Universal Studios-based Focus Features. At Focus he was tasked with making between 4-8 quality films a year. During that time, he developed a film that came to known as Green Book. He felt so strongly about the film that he asked to be let out of his deal to produce the film. Focus graciously agreed in exchange that he sign a “first look deal” with the studio. However, the film was instead released by Universal Pictures and not by Focus Features like it was originally intended.
Green Book went on to be a hit worldwide and was named best picture of the year by the academy, Golden Globes, Producers Guild and many critics organizations.

## Filmography and awards

| Year | Title | Award | Category | Result | Credit |
| 2022 | Dreamin' Wild | | | | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Academy Awards | Best Picture | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Academy Awards | Best Actor (Viggo Mortensen) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Academy Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Academy Awards | Best Film Editing | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | BAFTA Awards | Best Film | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | BAFTA Awards | Best Actor (Viggo Mortensen) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | BAFTA Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | BAFTA Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Golden Globe Awards | Best Picture, Musical or Comedy | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Golden Globe Awards | Best Director (Peter Farrelly) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor, Musical or Comedy (Viggo Mortensen) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Golden Globe Awards | Best Screenplay | Won | Producer |
| 2018 | Green Book | Producers Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Producing | Won | Producer |
| 2017 | Atomic Blonde | | | | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Academy Awards | Best Picture | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Academy Awards | Best Actor (Gary Oldman) | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Academy Awards | Best Cinematography | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Academy Awards | Best Production Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Academy Awards | Best Costume Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Academy Awards | Best Makeup and Hairstyling | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Film | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best British Film | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Actor (Gary Oldman) | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Kristin Scott Thomas) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Cinematography | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Production Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Costume Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Makeup and Hair | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | BAFTA Awards | Best Music | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Darkest Hour | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor, Drama (Gary Oldman) | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Victoria & Abdul | Academy Awards | Best Costume Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Victoria & Abdul | Academy Awards | Best Makeup and Hairstyling | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Victoria & Abdul | BAFTA Awards | Best Makeup & Hair | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | Downsizing | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Hong Chau) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | The Beguiled | | | | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | The Book of Henry | | | | Studio Executive |
| 2017 | The Zookeeper's Wife | | | | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | A Monster Calls | | | | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Michael Shannon) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Director (Tom Ford) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Cinematography | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Editing | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Production Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Makeup & Hair | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | BAFTA Awards | Best Music | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | Golden Globe Awards | Best Director (Tom Ford) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2016 | Nocturnal Animals | Golden Globe Awards | Best Screenplay | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Academy Awards | Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Alicia Vikander) | Won | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Academy Awards | Best Production Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Academy Awards | Best Costume Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | BAFTA Awards | Best British Film | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | BAFTA Awards | Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | BAFTA Awards | Best Actress (Alicia Vikander) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | BAFTA Awards | Best Costume Design | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | BAFTA Awards | Best Makeup & Hair | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor, Drama (Eddie Redmayne) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress, Drama (Alicia Vikander) | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2015 | The Danish Girl | Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Score | Nominated | Studio Executive |
| 2014 | Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter | | | | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Academy Awards | Best Picture | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Academy Awards | Best Director (Alexander Payne) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Academy Awards | Best Actor (George Clooney) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Academy Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Won | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Academy Awards | Best Editing | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | BAFTA Awards | Best Film | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | BAFTA Awards | Best Actor (George Clooney) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | BAFTA Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Producers Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Producing | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Golden Globe Awards | Best Picture, Drama | Won | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Golden Globe Awards | Best Director (Alexander Payne) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor (George Clooney) | Won | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Shailene Woodley) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | The Descendants | Golden Globe Awards | Best Screenplay | Nominated | Producer |
| 2011 | Cedar Rapids | | | | Producer |
| 2007 | The Savages | Academy Awards | Best Actress (Laura Linney) | Nominated | Executive Producer |
| 2007 | The Savages | Academy Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | Executive Producer |
| 2007 | The Savages | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor, Musical or Comedy (Philip Seymour Hoffman) | Nominated | Executive Producer |
| 2004 | Walking Tall | | | | Producer |
| 2001 | The Breed | | | | Producer |
| 1999 | Election | Academy Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | Co-Producer |
| 1999 | Election | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress, Musical or Comedy (Reese Witherspoon) | Nominated | Co-Producer |
| 1999 | OneGin | BAFTA Awards | Best British Film | Nominated | Production Executive |
| 1998 | The Opposite of Sex | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress, Musical or Comedy (Christina Ricci) | | Production Executive |
| 1997 | A Smile Like Yours | | | | Production Executive |
| 1997 | The Eighteenth Angel | | | | Executive Producer |
| 1997 | Switchback | | | | Production Executive |
| 1997 | Kiss The Girls | | | | Production Executive |
| 1997 | The Saint | | | | Production Executive |
| 1997 | Zeus and Roxanne | | | | Production Executive |
| 1997 | Turbulence | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Hard Eight | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | The Evening Star | Golden Globes | Best Supporting Actress (Marion Ross) | Nominated | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Dear God | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | 2 Days in the Valley | | | | Co-Producer |
| 1996 | Big Night | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Foxfire | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | House Arrest | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Escape from L.A | | | | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Kingpin | | | | Co-Producer |
| 1996 | Primal Fear | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton) | Nominated | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Primal Fear | BAFTA Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton) | Nominated | Production Executive |
| 1996 | Primal Fear | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton) | Won | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Chameleon | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | White Man's Burden | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | It Takes Two | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Let It Be Me | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Three Wishes | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Perfect Alibi | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | The Show | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Above Suspicion | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Destiny Turns on the Radio | | | | Production Executive |
| 1995 | Bodily Harm | | | | Production Executive |
| 1994 | Judicial Consent | | | | Production Executive |
| 1994 | A Passion to Kill | | | | Production Executive |