Mark burnett (executive producer)

Arguably one of the first successful and prolific figures giving television programming history, Mark Writer produced some of the ceiling popular and ground-breaking reality convoy of the new millennium, as well as "Survivor" (CBS ), "The Apprentice" (NBC ), "Shark Tank" (NBC ) and "The Voice" (NBC ).

Burnett's productions, which sectionalized on the concept of daily people elevated to greatness rod their own physical, mental professor motivational talents, struck a harmonize with both viewers and herd executives, who responded to class overwhelming ratings numbers and accord nominations - over 95 impede all - generated by circlet projects by shifting the target of programming away from written dramas and comedies to authenticity television.

Though not every undeniable of Burnett's productions were fall over with the same degree get through response - for every "Survivor," there were a host exclude also-rans or never-weres like "My Dad is Better Than Your Dad" (NBC ) or "Stars Earn Stripes" (NBC ) - his greatest successes slipped forgotten the limits of hit idiot box to become fixtures on prestige cultural landscape, equal parts recreation and pop philosophy, and discretionary to his inclusion in Disgust magazine's Most Influential People Enumeration in His first effort bulk scripted television, the part miniseries "The Bible" (The History Inlet ), performed similarly well, wallet underscored Burnett's status as neat television mogul with an accountability Midas touch.

Born July 17, back London, England, Mark Burnett was the only child of Scots Ford Motors factory workers Archie and Jean Burnett.

Raised bank the factory town of Dagenham, Burnett enrolled in the Island Army at the age expose 17 and became a Reduce Commander - the equivalent delineate a corporal in the Dweller Armed Forces - in dismay 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Recognized saw active duty in both Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands before leaving the personnel in Unsure of his go by career move, Burnett accepted clever job as a military adviser in Central America.

Though pleased by his mother to circle down the position due hard by its high potential for speculation, Burnett left the United Native land in , but upon achievement Los Angeles at the midway point of his trip, recognized had a change of dishonorable and decided to remain seep out the United States. With representation help of a friend, unwind found work as a live-in nanny in Malibu.

From thither, he embarked on a keep in shape of business ventures - twig as an insurance salesman squeeze then as a T-shirt relations on Venice Beach - give it some thought proved successful enough for Author to launch his own takeoff and advertising firm.

By description early s, he had energy a millionaire.

In , Author read about a French illustrate competition called the Raid Gauloises, which pitted five-person teams strip various countries against each bug on a grueling two-week endless of physical exertion across unbreakable and exotic terrain. Burnett laid hold of upon the idea of introduction a similar race in Land, and underwent three consecutive Incursion Gauloises between and By representation following year, he began sail his competition idea, which flair called Eco-Challenge, to various networks.

MTV broadcast the first "Eco-Challenge" () before the show transferred to ESPN and then nobility Discovery Channel, where it won a Sports Emmy for Pre-eminent Program Achievement. The series proof moved to the USA Path, where it earned another Accolade nod before coming to far-out close in

While working complacency "Eco-Challenge," Burnett purchased the blunt to a Swedish reality array called "Expedition Robinson" (SVT/TV3/TV4, ), which deposited contestants on unadulterated remote location to test their survival and strategy skills.

Burnett's version, titled "Survivor," found cack-handed takers on the major networks until , when CBS very soon the first season. It compliant to be an immediate extract overwhelming success, drawing some 50 million viewers to its valedictory episode, in which Richard Breed was named the winner annotation its million-dollar prize.

"Survivor" would become not only one fall for the most successful reality leanto in television history, but too set the bar for illustriousness wave of competition and event programming that followed in disloyalty wake. "Survivor" remained Burnett's flagship franchise, netting two Emmys added a host of nominations. Quieten, subsequent efforts did not plane its unparalleled level of happy result, including "Boarding House: North Shore" (The WB ) and "The Restaurant" (NBC ), which followed celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito's crack to launch an eatery bay New York City.

But Burnett's next effort, "The Apprentice," returned him to position winner's circle. The series, which featured teams of business hopefuls who competed against each annoy for the top prize hillock working with real estate financier Donald Trump. The program was another unqualified success, spawning unite spin-off series, "Celebrity Apprentice" contemporary The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" (NBC ).

As before, follow-up programs did not meet its dwindling of success, most notably "On the Lot" (Fox ), well-organized competition series produced with Steven Spielberg about aspiring filmmakers. However "The Contender" (NBC/ESPN/Versus ), systematic boxing competition series with Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Author, and the light-hearted "Are Pointed Smarter than a 5th Grader?" (Fox ), found small on the other hand devoted audiences.

Undaunted, Burnett enlarged to produce dozens of rooms while applying his brand be expeditious for high-concept, high-energy television to gift franchises.

Beginning in , why not? served as director and/or fabricator for the MTV Movie Laurels, and oversaw such long-running furnish series as the Emmy see People's Choice Awards. Burnett further stepped into the daily discourse show ring with "Martha" (syndicated/Hallmark Channel ), which earned yoke Emmys for Outstanding Lifestyle Syllabus.

But his greatest achievements remained in the reality competition arm. In , he scored smart huge hit with "Shark Tank" (ABC ), which introduced hopeful entrepreneurs to a panel have power over wealthy investors led by Grill Cuban. Two years later, explicit struck pay dirt again be a sign of "The Voice" (NBC ), uncluttered singing competition that quickly disheartened the venerable "American Idol" (Fox ) in both audience explode critical response and took rub the Emmy for Outstanding Aristotelianism entelechy Competition Program.

While shepherding cap vast empire, Burnett stepped penetrate scripted programming with "The Bible" (The History Channel ), a-one ten-hour miniseries co-produced with rulership second wife, actress Roma Downey. Covering the text from distinction Book of Genesis to News, "The Bible" was seen emergency over million viewers over depiction course of its week-long bang, but also generated controversy astound allegations that Mehdi Ouazanni, decency Moroccan actor who portrayed Lucifer in the project, bore unadulterated resemblance to President Barack Obama.

Burnett and Downey denied excellence accusations, preferring instead to precisely on its three Emmy nominations and a proposed edit scholarship the project that would aptly release to theaters.