Robert A. Burns (May 27, 1944 – May 31, 2004) was an American

art director Art director is the title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, film industry, film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supervise and ...

and

production designer In film and television, the production designer is the individual responsible for the overall aesthetic of the story. The production design gives the viewers a sense of the time period, the plot location, and character actions and feelings. Wo ...

who worked on many films including ''

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ''The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'' is a 1974 American horror film produced and directed by Tobe Hooper from a story and screenplay by Hooper and Kim Henkel. It stars Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow and Gunnar Hansen, w ...

'', ''

The Hills Have Eyes ''The Hills Have Eyes'' is an American horror franchise that consists of four horror films, as well as a graphic novel and merchandise. The first film was released in 1977, '' The Hills Have Eyes''; the series was rebooted in a 2006 remake. T ...

'', ''

The Howling ''The Howling'' is a 1977 horror novel by Gary Brandner. It was the inspiration for the movie ''The Howling'' (1981), although the plot of the movie was only vaguely similar to that of the book. Brandner published two sequels to the novel, '' ...

'', ''

Re-Animator ''Re-Animator'' (also known as ''H. P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator'') is a 1985 American comedy horror film loosely based on the 1922 H. P. Lovecraft serial novelette "Herbert West–Reanimator". Directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Yuzn ...

'', and '' From Beyond''.

Career

Burns attended the University of Texas where he was editor of ''

The Texas Ranger ''The Texas Ranger'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman.casting director In the performing arts industry such as theatre, film, or television, casting, or a casting call, is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra (acting), extra for a particular role or part in a scr ...

and art director of

Tobe Hooper Willard Tobe Hooper (; January 25, 1943 – August 26, 2017) was an American director, screenwriter, and producer best known for his work in the horror film, horror genre. The British Film Institute cited Hooper as one of the most influenti ...

's 1974 horror film ''

''. His work on the film is notable for the realistic "bone decor" of the Sawyer Family's farm house. His work garnered notice in the industry and work on other future horror classics followed including

Wes Craven Wesley Earl Craven (August 2, 1939 – August 30, 2015) was an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and editor. Craven has commonly been recognized as one of the greatest masters of the horror genre due to the cultural imp ...

's ''

'',

Joe Dante Joseph James Dante Jr. (; born November 28, 1946) is an American film director, producer, editor and actor. His films—notably ''Gremlins'' (1984) alongside its sequel, '' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990)—often mix 1950s-style B movies wit ...

's ''

'', and

Stuart Gordon Stuart Alan Gordon (August 11, 1947 – March 24, 2020) was an American filmmaker, theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright. Initially recognized for his provocative and frequently controversial work in experimental theatre, Gordon is perh ...

's ''

''. Burns was also an expert on

Rondo Hatton Rondo Hatton (April 22, 1894 – February 2, 1946) was an American journalist and actor. After writing for ''The Tampa Tribune'', Hatton found a career in film due to his unique facial features, which were the result of acromegaly. He headlin ...

and had aspired to make a film about the actor. His passion was such that he held parties to celebrate Hatton's birthday. The 2020 documentary titled
Rondo and Bob
' looks at the lives of both Burns and Hatton.

Death

Burns died on May 31, 2004. It was reported that he was suffering from

kidney cancer Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is a group of cancers that starts in the kidney. Symptoms may include blood in the urine, lump in the abdomen, or back pain. Fever, weight loss, and tiredness may also occur. Complications can include spr ...

. His death was investigated as a suicide: he had left a farewell note on his website with a photo of himself stretched out in front of a tombstone with his name on it.

Selected filmography

Art director

* ''

'' * ''

Tourist Trap A tourist trap is an establishment (or group of establishments) that has been created or re-purposed with the aim of attracting tourists and their money. Tourist traps will typically provide overpriced services, entertainment, food, souvenir ...

'' * ''

Don't Go Near the Park ''Don't Go Near the Park'' is a 1979 American Independent supernatural horror film directed by Lawrence D. Foldes, and starring Aldo Ray, Meeno Peluce, Tamara Taylor, Robert Gribbin, Barbara Bain, and Linnea Quigley. Its plot follows a brother ...

'' * ''

Disco Godfather ''Disco Godfather'' (also known as ''The Avenging Disco Godfather'') is a 1979 American action film starring Rudy Ray Moore and Carol Speed, directed by J. Robert Wagoner and released by Transvue Pictures. J. Robert Wagoner wrote and directed ''Di ...

'' * '' Microwave Massacre'' * ''

'' * ''

Full Moon High ''Full Moon High'' is a 1981 American comedy horror film written and directed by Larry Cohen. Plot The film is about a teenager who goes on a trip to Transylvania with his father and gets bitten by a werewolf. Made ageless, he attempts to put hi ...

'' * ''

Actor

*''

'' – Porn store patron *'' Microwave Massacre'' – Homeless Man *''

Confessions of a Serial Killer ''Confessions of a Serial Killer'' is a 1985 American horror film directed by Mark Blair. Preceding '' Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'' by one year, the film details a serial killer (based on Henry Lee Lucas) who, after being arrested, conf ...

'' – Daniel Ray Hawkins *''

Walker, Texas Ranger ''Walker, Texas Ranger'' is an American action crime television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It was inspired by the film ''Lone Wolf McQuade'', with both this series and that film starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texa ...

'' – Man in Overalls (ep. "The Big Bingo Bamboozle") *''

The Stars Fell on Henrietta ''The Stars Fell on Henrietta'' is a 1995 American drama film from Warner Bros., directed by James Keach and produced by Clint Eastwood. The film is based on a short story written by Winifred Sanford titled "Luck". The script for the film was pe ...

'' – Franklin

Director

*''

Mongrel A mongrel, mutt or mixed-breed dog is a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized Dog breed, breed and including those that are the result of intentional Dog breeding, breeding. Although the term ''mixed-breed dog'' is sometime ...

References

External links

* 1944 births 2004 deaths American art directors American production designers {{American-film-bio-stub