Here is the biography of William Paul Burns:
William Paul Burns is a multifaceted individual, a talented actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and opera singer. After completing his education at Northwestern University and Miami University, he became a member of the Actors Studio in New York City under the direction of Lee Strasberg.
Burns' professional career began with the Metropolitan Opera Training program, where he appeared in productions such as "Carmen," "Le Nozze di Figaro," "Boris Godunov," "La Boheme," and "Macbeth." He later transitioned to Broadway, starring in the musical "All American" at the Winter Garden Theatre.
Burns was invited to Princeton University as a Guest Artist, teaching in the Humanities program. His notable Broadway credits include "The Three Sisters," "After the Rain," "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Man of La Mancha," "The Royal Hunt of the Sun," and "Camino Real," which was filmed and is now part of the National Archives at Lincoln Center.
Burns was signed to a seven-year contract with Universal Studios, which included a mutable picture deal. He appeared in numerous television shows and was groomed for his own TV series, created by David Victor. His film credits include "Lipstick," "Passover Plot," "Blood Dolls," "Play Murder For Me," "Voyeur II," "Camino Real," "Marianne," "Hollywood," and "Three Sisters."
Recently, Burns co-produced the feature film "The Master and Margarita," based on the novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, alongside John Cusack.
Throughout his career, Burns has worked with notable artists and directors, including Francis Ford Coppola, Lamont Johnson, Dino DeLaurentis, Lee Strasberg, Paula Strasberg, Elia Kazan, Arthur Penn, Harold Clurman, Richard Avedon, Nikos Psacharapoulos, Joseph Campbell, Roshi Joan Halifax, Tennessee Williams, Bon Jovi, Vivian Matalon, Albert Marr, Mel Brooks, Joshua Logan, Lee Sankowich, Charles Strouse, Lee Adams, James L. Brooks, Allan Burns, Cecil Beaton, Sid Shienberg, Freddie Fields, Milton Goldman, Sue Mengers, Maestro Serra, Robin Wagner, Sergei Bodrov, Charles Band, Penelope Spheeris, Noel Black, Michael Campos, Hector Olivera, Robert Weaver, Thomas Job, Andy Morahan, Sir Peter Ustinov, Florence Riggs, Seth Riggs, Barbara Bragg, Linda Gates, Sue Seton, Phyllis Grandy, Ron Fields, Ron Lewis, Mat Maddox, Sandra Seacat, Penny Allen.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Burns is an extreme athlete who hopes to one day ascend Mount Everest. His mentor, the late Joseph Campbell, would often say, "Follow Your Bliss," "Confront Limits." Burns believes that survival and self-reliance are the keys to success.
Burns is also a trained Gestalt Therapist, having studied with Dick Price, a primary student of Fritz Perls MD, who developed his theories after working with Wilhelm Reich and Sigmund Freud. He is also a Trager Practitioner, trained by Dr. Milton Trager and Dr. Betty Fuller. Burns has had in-depth studies with friends and scholars, including Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D., Richard Tarnas, Ph.D., Betty Fuller, Ph.D., Robert Bly, Al Huang, Jean Erdman, Gregory Bateson, Krishnamurti, Sam Keen, Michael Murphy, Barbara Myeroff, Dick Price, Julian Silverman, Ilana Rubenfeld, Bob Schwartz, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Ida Rolf, and Vicki Topp.
Burns' areas of focus include psychology, mythology, religion, and philosophy. He has specialized skills in boxing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, weight training, motorcycling, stunts, climbing, kayaking, mounting biking, outdoor survival, and confronting limits.
