Neal Burns
Actor
About Neal Burns
Neal Burns was an American actor who appeared during the silent film era, with his only known film credit being the 1915 comedy short 'Operating on Cupid.' His career appears to have been extremely brief, spanning only the year 1915 according to available film records. Like many actors of this early period, Burns was likely part of the rapidly expanding film industry that was experimenting with short-form comedies and romantic scenarios. The film 'Operating on Cupid' was typical of the era's light-hearted romantic comedies that often featured slapstick elements and simple plotlines revolving around love and relationships. Unfortunately, due to the limited documentation of early film personnel and the transient nature of many early film careers, detailed information about Burns' life, career trajectory, or other potential film work remains largely undocumented.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'Operating on Cupid' (1915)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Neal Burns represents the thousands of anonymous actors who participated in the early days of American cinema, many of whom appeared in only one or two films before leaving the industry. His single known film credit 'Operating on Cupid' (1915) exemplifies the type of short comedy productions that were popular during the mid-1910s, serving as entertainment for the growing movie theater audiences of the time. While individual actors like Burns may not have achieved lasting fame, their collective contributions helped establish the foundation of the American film industry and the development of cinematic storytelling techniques that would evolve in subsequent decades.
Lasting Legacy
Neal Burns' legacy is primarily that of a representative figure from the earliest days of Hollywood, when countless actors passed through the burgeoning film industry, often leaving only a single film credit as evidence of their participation. His story highlights the transient nature of early film careers and the vast number of performers who contributed to cinema's development without achieving lasting recognition. The preservation of his name in film databases ensures that even the most minor contributors to early cinema are remembered.
Who They Inspired
Given the extremely brief nature of Neal Burns' known film career, there is no documented evidence of his influence on other actors or filmmakers. However, like all performers of the silent era, he was part of the collective effort that helped establish the conventions of film acting and storytelling that would influence future generations of cinema.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Neal Burns' personal life, which is not uncommon for actors who had brief careers in the early silent film era. Many performers from this period left minimal documentation of their lives outside of their film work.
Did You Know?
- Neal Burns' entire known film career consists of only one film from 1915
- His film 'Operating on Cupid' was a comedy short, typical of the era's popular format
- Many actors from 1915 have incomplete filmographies due to poor record-keeping in early cinema
- The year 1915 was during World War I, which affected film production worldwide
- Silent film actors often worked anonymously, with their names sometimes omitted from credits
- Early film studios frequently hired actors for single productions without long-term contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Neal Burns?
Neal Burns was an American actor from the silent film era who appeared in only one known film, 'Operating on Cupid' in 1915. His career was extremely brief, lasting just one year according to available records, making him one of many obscure early film performers.
What films is Neal Burns best known for?
Neal Burns is known for only one film: 'Operating on Cupid' (1915), a comedy short from the silent era. This appears to be his sole film credit, representing his entire documented career in motion pictures.
When was Neal Burns born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Neal Burns are not available in historical records, which is common for actors who had very brief careers in early cinema and left minimal documentation of their lives.
What awards did Neal Burns win?
Neal Burns did not receive any documented awards or nominations for his work in film. This was typical for many actors in the early silent era, especially those with very brief careers or minor roles.
What was Neal Burns' acting style?
There is no documented information about Neal Burns' specific acting style or techniques. As an actor from 1915, he would have worked within the conventions of silent film acting, which typically emphasized exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to convey emotion without dialogue.
Films
1 film
