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The 'brains' and 'action' heavies who had meaty roles and lots of dialog ... and the players who were fathers, ranch owners, lawman, mayors, judges, lawyers, storekeepers, newspaper editors, wardens, etc.




Fred Burns, late 1930s
Fred Burns

Full name:
Frederick Dana Burns

1878 - 1955




Bob Burns, mid 1930s
Bob Burns

Full name:
Robert Emmet Burns

1884 - 1957




Edward Burns, early 1930s
Ed / Edward Burns

Full name:
Forest Edward Burns

1879 - 1954


September, 2011: special thanks to May Bopp, Bob Burns' daughter, for assisting in this profile on the Burns Brothers ... and for a couple of corrections. I had originally noted that actor Forest Burns was Bob's son. Forest was Fred's son. And Fred Burns was a champion roper and billed as "King of the Rope". He was not a bronc rider or buster. May also confirmed several name spellings: Robert Emmet Burns, and Emmet has only one T; and Fred's son Forest is spelled with a single R.
Sad to report that May Bopp passed away October 24, 2019.



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Bob Burns



(Courtesy of Ed Phillips)

Fred Burns



(Courtesy of May Bopp, Bob Burns' daughter)

Fred's son Forest Galvin
Burns (1914 - 1998)
Bob and Fred Burns were real life westerners. Bob was born in Glendive, Dawson County, Montana in 1884. Fred was born in 1878 at Fort Keogh, Montana. Fort Keogh in the Montana Territory was located on the outskirts of present day Miles City. It was constructed soon after the Battle of the Little Big Horn and remained an active Army post through the early 1900s.

There was another brother who wound up in Hollywood with Fred and Bob. Forest Edward Burns was born in Glendive, Dawson County, Montana in 1879. Over the years, he did a few acting jobs but found his niche as a carpenter and labor foreman at the studios. When he registered for the World War II draft, his employer was Warner Bros. studio. His daughters, Thelma and Beulah, had brief movie careers circa 1915 - 1918 as members of the Triangle / Fine Arts and later Fox "Kiddies".

Parents of Fred, Bob and Ed were John Leonard Burns and Alice May Martin, and the family was living in Dawson County, Montana at the time of the 1880 census.

The brothers arrived in Tinseltown circa 1912, and quickly became busy as they were real cowboys with horse riding and wagon driving skills. All three had uncredited parts in D. W. Griffith's THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915).

Fred's early years were spent working and performing with wild west shows. In his book Montana Entertainers, Famous and Almost Forgotten (The History Press, 2019), Brian D'Ambrosio has a brief bio on Fred and mentions that "... for six years, he was in charge of Buffalo Bill Cody's ranch near Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he 'broke' wild mustangs for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. His adroitness as part of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show earned him billing as the 'King of the Rope'."

He became an expert with a rope, doing multiple horse catches, fancy spinning, etc. and tradezines and other sources have him performing with the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch (in 1907) and "arena director" for Vernon C. Seaver's Young Buffalo Wild West (circa 1911). In 1917, Fred exited Hollywood for a brief spell and performed with the Pawnee Bill organization. As to Tinseltown, Fred had the lead in a few films but was mostly a character / support player in movies with Lillian Gish at Biograph, a few with Douglas Fairbanks, a Ruth Roland cliffhanger at Pathe, with Josie Sedgwick at Universal, more. By the mid to late 1920s, he was doing oaters anywhere and everywhere including features with Leo Maloney at Pathe, Tom Tyler at F. B. O., and Ken Maynard for J. Charles Davis and later, at First National.

The younger Bob starred in westerns for Vitagraph, and in the early 1920s, was the lead in a series of shorts at Universal as well as supporting Pete Morrison and Hoot Gibson in their sagebrush adventures. His finale as a hero was in the mid 1920s for independent Sierra Pictures and Grapevine Video had the following info on their online catalog:

JUST TRAVELIN' (Sierra, 1927): Directed by Horace B. Carpenter and the cast includes Bob Burns, Dorothy Donald, Lew Meehan and Harry O'Connor. This appears to be the only surviving work of cowboy star Bob Burns during the silent era. Burns plays a drifter who comes to the aid of a prospector and his daughter. The two are having trouble with a vicious French-Canadian heel (Meehan), who is lusting after both the gold and the girl. Burns remained in films until 1951 usually playing stage-drivers, lawmen or, occasionally, outlaws. Transferred from the only known 35mm Nitrate print.

When sound arrived, brother Ed was working carpenter duty at the studios. Fred and Bob continued acting, picking up paychecks for various character and bit parts, sometimes credited and sometimes unbilled. They were mostly in westerns - and both specialized in portraying a ranch owner / foreman, local lawman, father of the heroine, etc. Occasionally, they played a baddie, sometimes masquerading as a stalwart member of the community. And both can be spotted driving wagons and stagecoaches.

A few examples of their sound era roles:

  Fred Burns: is the killer of Hoot Gibson's dad in MOUNTED STRANGER (Universal, 1930); in Tom Keene's THE SADDLE BUSTER (RKO, 1932), Fred's the boss of a bunch of bronc riders - and shows off his rope handling talent; and he's stunt lady Betty Miles' father in the Tex Ritter RIDIN' THE CHEROKEE TRAIL (Monogram, 1941).

  Bob Burns: has a father role in the Jack Hoxie LAW AND LAWLESS (Majestic, 1932); and plays a lawman in George O'Brien's BULLET CODE (RKO, 1940) and Tom Tyler's WHEN A MAN RIDES ALONE (Monarch, 1933).

  Both turn up in many Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Don Barry, and Three Mesquiteers adventures at Republic Pictures (playing ranchers, posse members, rodeo judge, etc.).

  Fred and Bob were frequent stagecoach and wagon drivers. Example: in the Dick Foran CALIFORNIA MAIL (Warners, 1936), Fred is handling the reins during a stagecoach race, while Bob is driving a stage that gets held up.

Fred and Bob were involved in the late 1933 formation of the Riding Actors Association, Inc. of Hollywood. This was in response to the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) and National Recovery Administration (NRA). An NRA requirement was for business and industry - including Hollywood - to establish "codes" defining work rules, pay schedules, maximum work hours per week, etc. In response to that NRA code requirement, a group of about 500 (mostly) western movie stunt men and "riding extras" formed the "Riding Actors Association, Inc. of Hollywood". The membership also included heroes, directors, writers, etc. The Riding Actors developed wage rates as well as pricing for stunts and action sequences. The first president of the Riding Actors Association was Fred Burns and he was elected in December, 1933 to that post. And he was re-elected as president the following year. Brother Bob served on the Riding Actors' Executive Board.

Fred and Bob were also members of the "Chuck Wagon Trailers", a group of western film old-timers, heroes, character, and bit players who assembled a few times a year for a BBQ and to remember the ol' days.

Fred wrapped up his career at Republic Pictures circa post World War II. Bob continued working through the 1940s and 1950s, including some TV jobs. During this later period, he was most often in the background as a townsman, barfly, rancher, farmer, etc.

Fred's son Forest Burns did some stunting and henchman/bit roles in the 1940s - 1950s. Fred and son were involved in a gold mining venture with burly actor Bill Nestell, and more on that is on the next webpage.

72 year old Robert Emmet Burns passed away on March 14, 1957 at St. Joseph Hospital, Burbank, California and is interred at Chapel of the Pines.

74 year old Forest Edward Burns passed away at his Los Angeles home on July 4, 1954 from heart problems and asthma and is interred at Chapel of the Pines.

77 year old Frederick Dana Burns passed away on July 18, 1955 from heart problems at the Motion Picture Country Hospital, Los Angeles and is interred at Chapel of the Pines.


Film counts by decade for the Burns Brothers. Includes westerns, non-westerns, serials, shorts, etc. The 1950 - 1959 quantity for Bob Burns includes some TV shows.
  1910-1919 1920-1929 1930-1939 1940-1949 1950-1959 Total
Bob Burns 40 33 162 138 70 443
Fred Burns 51 29 120 67 none 267
Edward Burns 15 17 14 6 none 52


  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on the Burns family:

Bob Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122590/

Fred Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122668/
Fred's son, Forest Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122664/

Edward Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122655/
Edward Burns' daughter Thelma: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122896/
Edward Burns' daughter Beulah: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122581/

The IMDb has a "People Working Together" search function - Bob and Fred worked together in about 80 films, mostly westerns and a few serials: https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?role=nm0122668,nm0122590

Do NOT get our western and serial Bob Burns confused with vaudeville and film performer Bob "Bazooka" Burns, the "Arkansas Traveler". The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has info on him: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122589/

Getty Images has a poster of hero Bob Burns in JUST TRAVELIN' (Sierra, 1927): https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/just-travelin-poster-us-poster-art-from-left-bob-burns-lew-news-photo/1137118712

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West website has an advertising flyer for Vernon C. Seaver's Young Buffalo Wild West. And it includes a photo of "Arena Director" Fred Burns: http://library.centerofthewest.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p17097coll6/id/842/rec/2

Dianne E. Harley-Wintch has genealogy webpages on several of the Burns family:

The page on John Leonard Burns, the father of Fred and Bob is at: https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/127450/I10741/-/individual
There's several photos of Fred and Bob at: http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~eaglesnest/genealogy/Surname/Martin/album.html
and there are specific pages on:
Robert Emmet Burns: https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/127450/I10598/-/individual
Frederick Dana Burns: https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/127450/I10735/-/individual
Forest Galvin Burns (Fred Burns' son) (1914 - 1998): https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/127450/I27399/-/individual



Robert Emmet Burns (1884 - 1957)


(Courtesy of Jack Tillmany)

Robert Burns in the 1920s at Universal.



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Above from left to right are Jack Hoxie, Bob Burns, heroine Betty Boyd and Harry Todd in a lobby card from Hoxie's GUN LAW (Majestic, 1933).


(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Above from left to right are Betty Boyd, Mary Carr, Archie Ricks, Harry Todd, Jack Kirk, and Bob Burns in a scene from the Jack Hoxie GUN LAW (Majestic, 1933).


(Courtesy of Fabian Cepeda)

Above from left to right are Kit Guard, William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Bob Burns, big and burly Bill Nestell, and Jack Casey in the Hopalong Cassidy LEATHER BURNERS (United Artists, 1943).


  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Bob Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122590/

Family Search and death certificate provide more on Robert Emmet 'Bob' Burns:

  • 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
  • November 21, 1907 marriage license of 23 year old Robert E. Burns (birthplace: Burn's Ranch, Dawson, Montana) and 22 year old Lilian T. Decostella (born Kentucky) in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. His parents were John L. and Alice May Burns: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3QJ-R2W
  • 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting in Los Angeles, California are 35 year old Robert E. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Actor - Moving Pictures"), his 27 year old wife Julia (born England), and 31 year old sister-in-law Olive Bearcroft (born England): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQV-H9J
  • 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 6128 Whilset (?) Avenue, Los Angeles are 44 year old Robert E. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Actor - Motion Pictures"), his 37 year old wife Julia B. (born England), 5 year old daughter Joan (born California) and 2 year old daughter May A. (born California). Bob was not a military veteran: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC8Q-6F9
  • 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 4642 Forman Avenue, Los Angeles are 55 year old Robert E. Burns (born Montana), his 47 year old wife Julia (born England), 15 year old daughter Joan (born California) and 12 year old daughter May Ann (born California). His occupation is "Actor - Motion Pictures" and in 1939, he worked 30 weeks and earned $2433.00: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9H2-VZG
  • World War II draft registration - 57 year old Robert Emmett [sic] Burns was born November 21, 1884 in Custer County, Montana. He and wife Julia live at 4642 Forman Avenue, North Hollywood, California; his employer is "Gene Autrey [sic] - Flying 'A' Ranch - North Hollywood"; and he's 6 feet tall and 175 pounds. He signed the registration as Robert Emmet Burns (with a single T in Emmet): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V48Y-7BS
  • California Death Index for Robert Emmett [sic] Burns - he was born November 21, 1884 in Montana, Mother's maiden name of Martin, and he passed away on March 14, 1957 in the Los Angeles area: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGRW-J79
  • Death certificate - 72 year old Robert Emmett Burns was born November 21, 1884 in Montana and parents were John L. Burns and Alice M. Martin. Occupation was "Actor - Motion Pictures". He passed away on March 14, 1957 at St. Joseph Hospital, Los Angeles. Death certificate informant was wife Julia B. Burns, and they lived at 4642 Forman Street, North Hollywood, California. Pierce Brothers - Valhalla was the funeral director and cremation at Chapel of the Pines.

Funeral notice for Bob Burns in the March 16, 1957 Los Angeles Evening Citizen News: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84502916/funeral-notice-for-movie-cowboy-bob/

Find A Grave website confirms that Bob Burns is interred at Chapel Of The Pines, Los Angeles, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147959360/robert-emmett-burns


Frederick Dana Burns (1878 - 1955)


(Courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

Fred Burns in the early 1930s. He played a lawman in dozens of westerns.



Fred Burns was with the Young Buffalo Wild West and the above ad is for their September, 1911 performance in Marion, Ohio. The Library of Congress website has a half dozen 1911 newspapers with ads for Fred and the show performing in Richmond, Indiana; Plymouth, Indiana; Fairmont, West Virginia; Richmond, Kentucky; and Hopkinsville, Kentucky. To view those newspapers, click HERE and a separate window / tab will open.

In the 1910s, Fred alternated between movies and wild west show appearances. In addition to the above ad, there's traces of Fred doing Wild West shows in issues of Variety, Billboard, and Clipper tradepapers. Following are a few mentions:

  • May 11, 1907 Variety - Fred is with the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch show in Chicago.
  • May 4, 1912 Clipper - Montana Jack and Fred Burns are the fancy ropers with the Young Buffalo Wild West and Colonel Cummins' Far East and Indian Congress in Peoria, Illinois.
  • June 7, 1913 Clipper - Fred Burns is one of the "cow hands" with the Young Buffalo show which is making stops in New York state.
  • May 16, 1917 Clipper - Fred Burns is with the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show and Pioneer Days at Luna Park, Coney Island, New York.
  • July 25, 1917 Clipper - a strike of the cowboys working on the Pawnee Bill show at Luna Park was averted ... and Fred got fired. Gordon Lillie (Pawnee Bill) "... convinced the boys that they had been misguided and all returned except (Leonard) Stroud and his assistant, Fred Burns, who were let out."

And in 1935, Fred was foreman with Tim McCoy and the Ringling-Barnum Circus:

  • March 16, 1935 Billboard in the Circuses section: "... the following ... will be with Col. Tim McCoy in the Wild West contingent of the Ringling-Barnum Circus this coming season: Fred Burns (foreman), Tex Cooper, Steve Clemento ..."
  • April, 20, 1935 Billboard in the Circuses section and news from Hollywood: "A group of friends gathered around Fred Burns bidding him good-by as he leaves for New York and the Ringling-Barnum Circus."



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Above from left to right in the front are Fred Burns, Maude Eburne, Carol Hughes and Hal Taliaferro. Left to right on horseback are Bob Card, Ted Mapes and Jack Montgomery. Crop from a lobby card from the Roy Rogers starrer, THE BORDER LEGION (Republic, 1940).


(Courtesy of Bruce Hickey )

L-to-R are Bob Card, Forrest Taylor, Slim Andrews, Tex Ritter and Fred Burns in a lobby card from Ritter's RIDIN' THE CHEROKEE TRAIL (Monogram, 1941).


(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Above from L-to-R are Ted Mapes, Sally Payne, Chuck Baldra, Roy Rogers, unidentified woman (Fern Emmett?), and Fred Burns in a crop from a lobby card from IN OLD CHEYENNE (Republic, 1941).


(From Old Corral collection)

Above from left to right are a wounded Fred Burns, Roy Rogers, and Gabby Hayes in SUNSET ON THE DESERT (Republic, 1942).


  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Fred Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122668/

Family Search and death certificate provide more on Frederick 'Fred' Dana Burns:

  • 1880 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Dawson, Montana are 38 year old John L. Burns (born New York; occupation "Ranchman"), his 29 year old wife Alice M. (born Illinois), 24 year old brother-in-law Fredrick Martin (born Illinois), and three boarders. The Burns have four sons and one daughter - 13 year old daughter Francis M. (born Minnesota), 9 year old son James S. (born Minnesota), 7 year old son Alba S. (born Minnesota), 2 year old son Fredrick [sic] D. (born Montana), and newborn son Forest E. (born Montana): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH84-QYX
  • 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
  • World War I draft registration - 40 year old Frederick Dana Burns was born April 24, 1878. Occupation and employer is "Motion Picture Actor", "Astra Films Co., Universal City, Los Angeles". He and wife Helen live at 4320 Melbourne, Los Angeles: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZVN-FS1
  • 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting in Los Angeles, California are 41 year old Fred D. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Actor - Movie Studio"), his 29 year old wife Helen (born Minnesota), 7 year old son Richard (born California), 5 year old son Forrest [sic] (born California), and 46 year old mother-in-law May Galvin (born England): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQN-DQ1
  • 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 4628 Forman Avenue, Los Angeles are 51 year old Frederick D. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Actor - Moving Pictures"), his 30 year old wife Helen (born Minnesota), 17 year old son Richard E. (born California), 15 year old son Forrest [sic] G. (born California), and 57 year old mother-in-law May G. Galvin (born England). Fred was not a military veteran: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC83-QPR
  • 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting at 4226 Mary Ellen, Los Angeles were 26 year old Forest G. Burns (born California; occupation was "Actor - Motion Picture Production"), his 24 year old wife Claire L. Burns (born California), one year old daughter Deanna E. (born California) and newborn son John L. (born California), 45 year old mother-in-law Birdie Brown, and Forest's brother Richard E. Burns. Also living there was Forest's father, 61 year old Frederick D. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Actor - Motion Picture Production").: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9H2-2ZQ
  • World War II draft registration - 64 year old Frederick Dana Burns was born April 24, 1878 at Old Fort Keough, Montana. He's six feet, one inch tall and 180 pounds. Occupation was "Freelancer". He and son Forrest Burns lived at 4226 Mary Ellen, Van Nuys, California: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V48Y-7B9
  • California Death Index for Frederick Dana Burns - he was born April 24, 1878 in Montana, Mother's maiden name of Martin, and passed away on July 18, 1955 in the Los Angeles area: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGRS-BV5
  • Death certificate - 77 year old Frederick Dana Burns was born April 24, 1878 in Montana and parents were John Leonard Burns and mother's last name was Martin. Occupation was "Actor - Motion Pictures"; he was a widower; and residence was 9210 La Tuna Canyon Road, Sun Valley, California. He passed away on July 18, 1955 from various heart problems at the Motion Picture Hospital, Los Angeles. Death certificate informant was son Forest Burns. Pierce Brothers - Valhalla was the funeral director and cremation at Chapel of the Pines.

Funeral notice for Fred Burns in the July 21, 1955 Los Angeles Times: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84503030/funeral-notice-for-movie-cowboy-fred/

Find A Grave website confirms that Fred Burns is interred at Chapel Of The Pines, Los Angeles, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147957939/frederick-dana-burns


Forest Edward Burns (1879 - 1954)

  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Forest Edward Burns: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122655/

Family Search and death certificate provide more on Forest Edward Burns:

  • 1880 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Dawson, Montana are 38 year old John L. Burns (born New York; occupation "Ranchman"), his 29 year old wife Alice M. (born Illinois), 24 year old brother-in-law Fredrick Martin (born Illinois), and three boarders. The Burns have four sons and one daughter - 13 year old daughter Francis M. (born Minnesota), 9 year old son James S. (born Minnesota), 7 year old son Alba S. (born Minnesota), 2 year old son Fredrick [sic] D. (born Montana), and newborn son Forest E. (born Montana): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH84-QYX
  • 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
  • April 30, 1907 marriage license of 27 year old Forest E. Burns (born Glendive, Dawson County, Montana) and 26 year old Katharine Jesmer (born Denmark; divorced) in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. His parents were John L. Burns and Alice M. Martin: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3QJ-PPS
  • 1910 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting in an apartment / multi-unit facility are 67 year old John L. Burns (born New York; occupation "Liquor Seller - Wholesale"), his 59 year old wife Alice M. (born Illinois), 30 year son Edward (born Montana; occupation "Driver - Odd Jobs") and Edward's 30 year old wife Catherine [sic] (born Denmark): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVLY-VB7
  • World War I draft registration - 38 year old Forest Edward Burns was born September 21, 1879. He and wife Catherine [sic] Burns live at 4317 Kingswell Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Occupation is "Actor" and employer is Douglas Fairbanks: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZVN-F3M
  • 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 4317 Kingswell, Los Angeles, California are 40 year old Forest E. Burns (born Montana), his 39 year old wife Catherine [sic] (born Denmark), 11 year old daughter Bulah [sic] D. (born Wyoming), 9 year old daughter Thelma (born California), and 6 year old son Robert S. (born California). All five members have an occupation of "Actor - Motion Pictures": https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQX-PMS
  • 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 4317 Kingswell, Los Angeles, California are 50 year old Forest D. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Carpenter - Movie Studio"), his 50 year old wife Katherine (born Denmark; no occupation listed), 19 year old daughter Thelma V. (born California; no occupation listed), and 17 year old son Robert E. (born California; no occupation listed): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJT-D1S
  • 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 4317 Kingswell Avenue, Los Angeles, California are 60 year old Forest E. Burns (born Montana; occupation "Labor Foreman - Movie Industry") and his 60 year old wife Kathrine [sic] (born Denmark): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9CZ-TPD
  • World War II draft registration - 62 year old Forest Edward Burns was born September 21, 1879 in Montana. He and wife Katherine live at 4317 Kingswell Avenue, Los Angeles, California; he's six feet, one inch tall and weighs 185 pounds; and his employer is "Warner Bros. Studios - Burbank, California": https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4DW-BG2
  • California Death Index for Forest Edward Burns - he was born September 21, 1879 in Montana, mother's maiden name was Martin, and he passed away July 4, 1954 in the Los Angeles area: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP7P-6M1
  • Death certificate - 74 year old Forest Edward Burns was born September 21, 1879 in Montana to John L. Burns and May Martin. Occupation was "Contractor - Carpentry". Death certificate informant was wife Katherine Burns and they lived at 4317 Kingswell Avenue, Los Angeles. He passed away at his home on July 4, 1954 from chronic heart problems and bronchial asthma. Pierce Brothers - Hollywood was the funeral director and cremation at Chapel of the Pines.
Find A Grave website notes that Ed / Edward Burns is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85359094/forest-edward-burns



Above are Edward Burns' daughters, Thelma and Beulah, and the girls had brief movie careers as members of the Triangle/Fine Arts and later Fox "Kiddies" circa 1915 - 1918. The above photos are from the May 29, 1915 issue of Reel Life which is available at the Internet Archive. Several trade publications mistakenly mention Fred as the father of Beulah and Thelma.

  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Thelma and Beulah Burns:
     Edward Burns' daughter Thelma Burns (1910 - 2004): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122896/
     Edward Burns' daughter Beulah Burns (1908 - 1970): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122581/


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