Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost 40 years. Since the Academy Award-nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Burns has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz; The Statue of Liberty; Huey Long; Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery; Frank Lloyd Wright; Mark Twain; Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson; The War; The National Parks: America's Best Idea; The Roosevelts: An Intimate History; Jackie Robinson; and, most recently, Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War.
Burns's films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including 15 Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Oscar nominations; and in September 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, he was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
In the Know (2024)
Guest starring as Interviewee
- Episode 1x02: Whose House? (Jan 25, 2024) [Special Guest Star]
ABC Prime with Linsey Davis (2020)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
- Episode 2025-11-12: Sen. John Fetterman, Ken Burns (Nov 12, 2025)
Deadline: White House (2017)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
(6 episodes)
- Episode 2025-11-21: Episode 231 (Nov 21, 2025)
- Episode 2025-11-17: Episode 227 (Nov 17, 2025)
- Episode 2025-10-08: Episode 199 (Oct 8, 2025)
- Episode 2024-10-28: Episode 210 (Oct 28, 2024)
- Episode 2024-05-28: Episode 103 (May 28, 2024)
- Episode 2024-03-11: Episode 48 (Mar 11, 2024)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
(7 episodes)
- Episode 2025-11-10: Demi Moore, Ken Burns (Nov 10, 2025)
- Episode 2024-11-13: Zoe Saldaña, Ken Burns (Nov 13, 2024)
- Episode 2022-09-19: Ana de Armas, Ken Burns, Sudan Archives (Sep 19, 2022)
- Episode 2022-04-01: John C. Reilly, Mandy Patinkin, Ken Burns (Apr 1, 2022)
- Episode 2021-03-24: Sharon Stone, Ken Burns (Mar 24, 2021)
- Episode 2017-09-26: Sofia Vergara, David Boreanaz, Ken Burns (Sep 26, 2017)
- Episode 2016-04-07: Mindy Kaling; Tituss Burgess; Ken Burns (Apr 7, 2016)
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (2015)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
- Episode 2016-05-05: Ken Burns (May 5, 2016)
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (2014)
Starring as Filmmaker
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x07: A Strong and Active Faith (1944-1952) (Sep 20, 2014)
- Episode 1x06: The Common Cause (1939-1944) (Sep 19, 2014)
- Episode 1x05: The Rising Road (1933-1939) (Sep 18, 2014)
- Episode 1x04: The Storm (1920-1933) (Sep 17, 2014)
- Episode 1x03: The Fire of Life (1910-1919) (Sep 16, 2014)
- Episode 1x02: In the Arena (1901-1910) (Sep 15, 2014)
- Episode 1x01: Get Action (1858-1901) (Sep 14, 2014)
Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
- Episode 2018-09-20: Kelly Clarkson, Freddie Highmore, Ken Burns, Sean Kinney (Sep 20, 2018)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014)
Guest starring as Director
- Episode 2023-12-15: Jessica Chastain, Alanis Morissette, Ken Burns (Dec 15, 2023)
The National Parks: America's Best Idea (2009)
Starring as Filmmaker
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: The Morning of Creation (1946-1980) (Oct 2, 2009)
- Episode 1x05: Great Nature (1933-1945) (Oct 1, 2009)
- Episode 1x04: Going Home (1920-1933) (Sep 30, 2009)
- Episode 1x03: The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919) (Sep 29, 2009)
- Episode 1x02: The Last Refuge (1890-1915) (Sep 28, 2009)
- Episode 1x01: The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890) (Sep 27, 2009)
- Episode S01 Special: Ken Burns: The National Parks (Mar 2, 2019)
Morning Joe (2007)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
(4 episodes)
- Episode 2025-11-19: Episode 228 (Nov 19, 2025)
- Episode 2025-09-18: Episode 184 (Sep 18, 2025)
- Episode 2024-09-24: Episode 189 (Sep 24, 2024)
- Episode 2024-05-30: Episode 108 (May 30, 2024)
CNN Special Report (2000)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
- Episode 2021-01-23: Living History with Anderson Cooper, Doris Kearns Goodwin & Ken Burns (Jan 23, 2021)
The Simpsons (1989)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
(3 episodes)
- Episode 35x04: Thirst Trap: A Corporate Love Story (Oct 29, 2023) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 30x22: Woo-Hoo Dunnit (May 5, 2019) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 24x01: Moonshine River (Sep 30, 2012)
Jeopardy! (1984)
Guest starring as Clue Presenter
- Episode 42x48: Harrison Whitaker Vs. Greg Saunders Vs. Lynette Perloff, Show # 9368. (Nov 12, 2025) [Special Guest Star]
This Week (1981)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
- Episode 2025-11-16: Sen. Chris Murphy, Kevin Hassett, Rep. Thomas Massie, Ken Burns (Nov 16, 2025)
CBS News Sunday Morning (1979)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2025-11-02: George Clooney, Ken Burns, Salman Rushdie (Nov 2, 2025)
- Episode 2024-10-27: Ken Burns, Ralph Fiennes, Stevie Nicks, Bob Uecker (Oct 27, 2024)
60 Minutes (1968)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
- Episode 53x08: Counting the Vote | Operation Warp Speed | Ken Burns (Nov 8, 2020)
Face the Nation (1954)
Guest starring as Filmmaker
- Episode 2025-07-06: 7/6 - Kevin Hassett, Ken Burns, Rep. Tom Suozzi (Jul 6, 2025)
Today (1952)
Guest starring as Ken Burns
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2025-11-11: Ken Burns, Chef Laura Vitale (Nov 11, 2025)
- Episode 2024-11-14: Ken Burns, Gwen Stefani, Donna Kelce (Nov 14, 2024)
Crew Credits
The American Revolution (2025)
Show crew as Creator
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x05: The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x04: Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x03: The Times That Try Men’s Souls (July 1776 – January 1777) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x02: An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x01: In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode S01 Special: The American Revolution: An Inside Look (Aug 8, 2025)
Show crew as Producer
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x05: The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x04: Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x03: The Times That Try Men’s Souls (July 1776 – January 1777) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x02: An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x01: In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode S01 Special: The American Revolution: An Inside Look (Aug 8, 2025)
Episode crew as Director
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x05: The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x04: Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x03: The Times That Try Men’s Souls (July 1776 – January 1777) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x02: An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode 1x01: In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775) (Nov 16, 2025)
- Episode S01 Special: The American Revolution: An Inside Look (Aug 8, 2025)
Leonardo da Vinci (2024)
Show crew as Creator
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part Two: Painter-God (Nov 19, 2024)
- Episode 1x01: Part One: The Disciple of Experience (Nov 18, 2024)
Episode crew as Director
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part Two: Painter-God (Nov 19, 2024)
- Episode 1x01: Part One: The Disciple of Experience (Nov 18, 2024)
The American Buffalo (2023)
Show crew as Executive Producer
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Into the Storm (Oct 17, 2023)
- Episode 1x01: Blood Memory (Oct 16, 2023)
- Episode S01 Special: The American Buffalo: A Story of Resilience (Aug 14, 2023)
The U.S. and the Holocaust (2022)
Show crew as Producer
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: The Homeless, The Tempest-Tossed (1942 -- ) (Sep 21, 2022)
- Episode 1x02: Yearning to Breathe Free (1938-1942) (Sep 20, 2022)
- Episode 1x01: The Golden Door (Beginnings -- 1938) (Sep 18, 2022)
Episode crew as Director
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: The Homeless, The Tempest-Tossed (1942 -- ) (Sep 21, 2022)
- Episode 1x02: Yearning to Breathe Free (1938-1942) (Sep 20, 2022)
- Episode 1x01: The Golden Door (Beginnings -- 1938) (Sep 18, 2022)
Benjamin Franklin (2022)
Show crew as Executive Producer
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part 2: "An American" (1775-1790) (Apr 5, 2022)
- Episode 1x01: Part 1: "Join or Die" (1706-1774) (Apr 4, 2022)
Show crew as Producer
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part 2: "An American" (1775-1790) (Apr 5, 2022)
- Episode 1x01: Part 1: "Join or Die" (1706-1774) (Apr 4, 2022)
Episode crew as Director
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part 2: "An American" (1775-1790) (Apr 5, 2022)
- Episode 1x01: Part 1: "Join or Die" (1706-1774) (Apr 4, 2022)
Muhammad Ali (2021)
Show crew as Producer
(4 episodes)
- Episode 1x04: Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016) (Sep 22, 2021)
- Episode 1x03: Round Three: The Rivalry (1970-1974) (Sep 21, 2021)
- Episode 1x02: Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970) (Sep 20, 2021)
- Episode 1x01: Round One: The Greatest (1942-1964) (Sep 19, 2021)
Show crew as Executive Producer
(4 episodes)
- Episode 1x04: Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016) (Sep 22, 2021)
- Episode 1x03: Round Three: The Rivalry (1970-1974) (Sep 21, 2021)
- Episode 1x02: Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970) (Sep 20, 2021)
- Episode 1x01: Round One: The Greatest (1942-1964) (Sep 19, 2021)
Episode crew as Director
(4 episodes)
- Episode 1x04: Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016) (Sep 22, 2021)
- Episode 1x03: Round Three: The Rivalry (1970-1974) (Sep 21, 2021)
- Episode 1x02: Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970) (Sep 20, 2021)
- Episode 1x01: Round One: The Greatest (1942-1964) (Sep 19, 2021)
Hemingway (2021)
Show crew as Creator
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: The Blank Page (1944-1961) (Apr 7, 2021)
- Episode 1x02: The Avatar (1929-1944) (Apr 6, 2021)
- Episode 1x01: A Writer (1899-1929) (Apr 5, 2021)
The Gene: An Intimate History (2020)
Show crew as Executive Producer
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part 2: Revolution in the Treatment of Disease (Apr 14, 2020)
- Episode 1x01: Part 1: Dawn of the Modern Age of Genetics (Apr 7, 2020)
Country Music (2019)
Show crew as Producer
(10 episodes)
- Episode 1x08: Don't Get Above Your Raisin' (1984-1996) (Sep 25, 2019)
- Episode 1x07: Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983) (Sep 24, 2019)
- Episode 1x06: Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (1968-1972) (Sep 23, 2019)
- Episode 1x05: The Sons and Daughters of America (1964-1968) (Sep 22, 2019)
- Episode 1x04: I Can't Stop Loving You (1953-1963) (Sep 18, 2019)
- Episode 1x03: Hillbilly Shakespeare (1945-1953) (Sep 17, 2019)
- Episode 1x02: Hard Times (1933-1945) (Sep 16, 2019)
- Episode 1x01: The Rub (Beginnings -- 1933) (Sep 15, 2019)
- Episode S01 Special: Ken Burns: Country Music (Nov 30, 2019)
- Episode S01 Special: Country Music: Live at the Ryman, A Concert Celebrating the Film by Ken Burns (Sep 8, 2019)
Episode crew as Director
(4 episodes)
- Episode 1x04: I Can't Stop Loving You (1953-1963) (Sep 18, 2019)
- Episode 1x03: Hillbilly Shakespeare (1945-1953) (Sep 17, 2019)
- Episode 1x02: Hard Times (1933-1945) (Sep 16, 2019)
- Episode 1x01: The Rub (Beginnings -- 1933) (Sep 15, 2019)
The Vietnam War (2017)
Show crew as Producer
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Riding the Tiger (1961–1963) (Sep 18, 2017)
- Episode 1x01: Déjà Vu (1858-1961) (Sep 17, 2017)
Episode crew as Director
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: The River Styx (January 1964 – December 1965) (Sep 19, 2017)
- Episode 1x02: Riding the Tiger (1961–1963) (Sep 18, 2017)
- Episode 1x01: Déjà Vu (1858-1961) (Sep 17, 2017)
Jackie Robinson (2016)
Show crew as Executive Producer
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x02: Part 2 of 2 (Apr 12, 2016)
- Episode 1x01: Part 1 of 2 (Apr 11, 2016)
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (2014)
Show crew as Producer
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x07: A Strong and Active Faith (1944-1952) (Sep 20, 2014)
- Episode 1x06: The Common Cause (1939-1944) (Sep 19, 2014)
- Episode 1x05: The Rising Road (1933-1939) (Sep 18, 2014)
- Episode 1x04: The Storm (1920-1933) (Sep 17, 2014)
- Episode 1x03: The Fire of Life (1910-1919) (Sep 16, 2014)
- Episode 1x02: In the Arena (1901-1910) (Sep 15, 2014)
- Episode 1x01: Get Action (1858-1901) (Sep 14, 2014)
Prohibition (2011)
Show crew as Producer
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: A Nation of Hypocrites (Oct 4, 2011)
- Episode 1x02: A Nation of Scofflaws (Oct 3, 2011)
- Episode 1x01: A Nation of Drunkards (Oct 2, 2011)
The War (2007)
Show crew as Producer
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x07: A World Without War (Oct 2, 2007)
- Episode 1x06: The Ghost Front (Oct 1, 2007)
- Episode 1x05: FUBAR (Sep 30, 2007)
- Episode 1x04: Pride of Our Nation (Sep 26, 2007)
- Episode 1x03: A Deadly Calling (Sep 25, 2007)
- Episode 1x02: When Things Get Tough (Sep 24, 2007)
- Episode 1x01: A Necessary War (Sep 23, 2007)
Episode crew as Director
(7 episodes)
- Episode 1x07: A World Without War (Oct 2, 2007)
- Episode 1x06: The Ghost Front (Oct 1, 2007)
- Episode 1x05: FUBAR (Sep 30, 2007)
- Episode 1x04: Pride of Our Nation (Sep 26, 2007)
- Episode 1x03: A Deadly Calling (Sep 25, 2007)
- Episode 1x02: When Things Get Tough (Sep 24, 2007)
- Episode 1x01: A Necessary War (Sep 23, 2007)
Mark Twain (2002)
Show crew as Producer
(4 episodes)
- Episode 1x04: Part 4 (Jan 15, 2002)
- Episode 1x03: Part 3 (Jan 15, 2002)
- Episode 1x02: Part 2 (Jan 14, 2002)
- Episode 1x01: Part 1 (Jan 14, 2002)
Show crew as Director Of Photography
Thomas Jefferson (1997)
Show crew as Producer
(2 episodes)
Show crew as Creator
(2 episodes)
Episode crew as Director
(2 episodes)
The Civil War (1990)
Show crew as Creator
(10 episodes)
- Episode 1x09: The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) (Sep 27, 1990)
- Episode 1x08: War Is All Hell (1865) (Sep 27, 1990)
- Episode 1x07: Most Hallowed Ground (1864) (Sep 26, 1990)
- Episode 1x06: Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (Sep 26, 1990)
- Episode 1x05: The Universe of Battle (1863) (Sep 25, 1990)
- Episode 1x04: Simply Murder (1863) (Sep 25, 1990)
- Episode 1x03: Forever Free (1862) (Sep 24, 1990)
- Episode 1x02: A Very Bloody Affair (1862) (Sep 24, 1990)
- Episode 1x01: The Cause (1861) (Sep 23, 1990)
- Episode S01 Special: Ken Burns: The Civil War (Aug 8, 2015)