- Burns' great-great-grandfather Abraham W. Burns (1833-1911) was a private in McClanahan's Company, Virginia Horse Artillery also known as the Staunton Artillery (Confederate) during the American Civil War. He also served in Company K,52nd Virginia Infantry.
- He is the son of Lyla Smith (Tupper), from Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, and Robert Kyle Burns, Jr., from Hamilton County, Ohio. His father was a cultural anthropologist. His ancestry includes English, Irish, Scottish, and German.
- Attended Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst, MA
- Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses Parade. (2016)
- Father of documentary filmmaker Sarah Burns.
- Brother of fellow producer/director Ric Burns.
- Biography/bibliography in: "Contemporary Authors". New Revision Series, vol. 136, pages 59-67. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005.
- Father-in-law of filmmaker David McMahon.
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