{{short description|American film producer}} {{Infobox person | name = Mark Burg | image = Mark Burg 2010.jpg | caption = Burg at the ''Saw 3D'' premiere on October 28, 2010 | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = | other_names = | occupation = Film producer, manager, actor | website = | image_size = | years_active = 1986–present | spouse = Shainaz Donnelly<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horn |first1=John |title=Horror film producer turns to Christian drama in 'Grace Unplugged' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-backstage-grace-unplugged-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> }}
'''Mark Burg''' is an American film producer, manager and actor. He is the co-founder of Evolution Entertainment and produced the ''Saw'' film series as well as the CBS television series ''Two and a Half Men''.
==Biography==
Burg graduated from the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pirani |first1=Steven |title=Accomplished producer discusses business in film industry |url=https://theithacan.org/accent/accomplished-producer-discusses-business-in-film-industry/ |website=The Ithacan |access-date=March 16, 2022 |date=April 11, 2014}}</ref> In the 1990s, Burg worked for Island Pictures and Palm Pictures, producing such films as ''Basketball Diaries'' (1995), ''The Sandlot'', ''The Cure'', and ''Strictly Business'' (1991).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=On The Film Front |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Mark+Burg%22+%2B+%22basketball+diaries%22&pg=PA97 |magazine=Billboard |date = 16 May 1998|access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> In 1998, Burg founded Evolution Entertainment along with his producing partner Oren Koules.<ref name="DeadLionsgate">{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Evolution Entertainment Launches TV Division, Inks First Look Deal With Lionsgate |url=https://deadline.com/2013/01/evolution-entertainment-launches-tv-division-inks-first-look-deal-with-lionsgate-405441/ |website=Deadline |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=5 April 2022}}</ref>
In 2003, Burg and Oren Koules saw a seven-minute teaser of a film written by Australian screenwriters, Leigh Whannell and James Wan, and agreed to produce the film. The film would later become the original ''Saw'' film that was released in 2004.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news | last =Lidz | first =Franz | title =Limbs Pile Up, and Money, Too | newspaper =The New York Times| date =21 October 2009 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/movies/25lidz.html?pagewanted=all | access-date =16 March 2015}}</ref> The budget for the film was $1.2 million with $1 million of the funding coming direct from Burg and Koules. Production was done under a newly formed subsidiary of Evolution Entertainment called Twisted Pictures. The film turned in the ''Saw'' franchise with the sequel released in 2005 and the franchise making $420 million at the box office by 2007.<ref name="TBT01">{{cite news | last =Barry | first =John | title =In Lightning trio, he's Mr. Hollywood | newspaper =Tampa Bay Times| date =19 August 2007 | url =http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/19/Lightning/In_Lightning_trio__he.shtml | access-date =16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520012306/http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/19/Lightning/In_Lightning_trio__he.shtml|archive-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref> Evolution Entertainment was also responsible for the production of ''Two and a Half Men'' starting in 2003.<ref name="NYT"/>
Burg became the sole-owner of Evolution Entertainment in 2011, buying out co-founder Oren Koules.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crowe |first1=Deborah |title=Burg Buys Out Partner at Evolution Entertainment |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/media/cinema-film/burg-buys-out-partner-evolution-entertainment/ |website=Los Angeles Business Journal |date=23 June 2011 |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> He also became an advisor for Forest Road, a special-purpose acquisition company, in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldsmith |first1=Jill |title=Showbiz SPAC Closes $300M IPO; Forest Road With Tom Staggs, Kevin Mayer, Shaquille O'Neal Eyes Media Deals |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/showbiz-spac-hits-market-forest-road-tom-staggs-kevin-mayer-shaquille-oneal-eye-deals-1234635316/ |website=Deadline |date=30 November 2020 |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> Burg also co-produced Spiral, the ninth installment from the Saw Franchise. The franchise has grossed more than {{US$|1 billion|long=no|link=yes}} from box office and retail sales as of 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title='Spiral' Pushes 'Saw' Franchise Past $1 Billion at Global Box Office |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/spiral-saw-franchise-billion-dollar-box-office-1234979765/ |website=Variety |date=23 May 2021 |access-date=5 April 2022}}</ref>
==Filmography== He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
===Film=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Credit ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- | 1987 || ''Can't Buy Me Love'' || Co-producer ||<ref>{{cite web |title=BUCKS DIRECTOR SAYS HOLLYWOOD 'CAN'T BUY ME LOVE' |url=https://www.mcall.com/1987/08/09/bucks-director-says-hollywood-cant-buy-me-love/ |website=The Morning Call}}</ref> |- | 1988 || ''Bull Durham'' || ||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nashawaty |first1=Chris |title=Bull Durham — 9 things you didn't know about the film |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/07/15/bull-durham-trivia-facts/ |website=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2| 1991 || ''Toy Soldiers'' || Executive producer ||<ref>{{cite web |title=MOVIE REVIEW : 'Toy Soldiers' as Ludicrous as Its Premise |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-26-ca-572-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> |- | ''Strictly Business'' || Executive producer || |- | 1993 || ''The Sandlot'' || Executive producer || |- | 1994 || ''Airheads'' || || |- | 1995 || ''The Cure'' || || |- |rowspan=3| 1996 || ''Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood'' || Executive producer || |- | ''The Little Death'' || Executive producer || |- | ''Eddie'' || || |- |rowspan=2| 1997 || ''B.A.P.S.'' || || |- | ''How to Be a Player'' || || |- |rowspan=2| 1998 || ''The Gingerbread Man'' || Executive producer || |- | ''Body Count'' || || |- | 1999 || ''Black and White'' || Executive producer || |- | 2000 || ''Lockdown'' || || |- |rowspan=2| 2001 || ''Good Advice'' || || |- | ''Diary of a Sex Addict'' || || Direct-to-video |- |rowspan=3| 2002 || ''Run Ronnie Run!'' || || |- | ''John Q.'' || || |- | ''Malevolent'' || Executive producer || |- |rowspan=2| 2003 || ''Love Don't Cost a Thing'' || || |- | ''Dude... We're Going to Rio'' || Executive producer || Direct-to-video |- | 2004 || ''Saw'' || || |- | 2005 || ''Saw II'' || || |- | 2006 || ''Saw III'' || || |- |rowspan=3| 2007 || ''Dead Silence'' || || |- | ''Catacombs'' || || |- | ''Saw IV'' || || |- |rowspan=3| 2008 || ''Repo! The Genetic Opera'' || || |- | ''Saw V'' || || |- | ''Vlog'' || Executive producer || |- | 2009 || ''Saw VI'' || || |- |rowspan=3| 2010 || ''Lottery Ticket'' || || |- | ''The Tortured'' || || |- | ''Saw 3D'' || || |- |rowspan=3| 2013 || ''Texas Chainsaw 3D'' || Executive producer || |- | ''Ain't Them Bodies Saints'' || Executive producer || |- | ''Grace Unplugged'' || Executive producer || |- | 2014 || ''Catch Hell'' || Executive producer || |- | 2016 || ''Havenhurst'' || Executive producer<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beale |first1=Lauren |title=Producer Mark Burg sells in Sherman Oaks |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/la-fi-hotprop-mark-burg-20150406-story.html |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=6 April 2015}}</ref> || |- |rowspan=2| 2017 || ''9/11'' || Executive producer || |- | ''Jigsaw'' || || |- | 2018 || ''Traffik'' || Executive producer || |- |rowspan=2| 2019 || ''The Intruder'' || || |- | ''American Skin'' || || |- | 2021 || ''Spiral: From the Book of Saw'' || || |- | 2023 || ''Saw X'' || || |- | 2026|| ''Twisted'' || Producer || |}
;As an actor
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- | 1991 || ''Toy Soldiers'' || Himself<hr>'Mouthwash' Buyer || <small>Uncredited</small> |}
;Miscellaneous crew
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role |- | 1988 || ''Waxwork'' || Production consultant |}
;Thanks
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role |- | 1993 || ''Boxing Helena'' || The producer wishes to thank |- | 1995 || ''The Basketball Diaries'' || Special thanks |- | 1998 || ''Let's Talk About Sex'' || Very special thanks |- | 2017 || ''Atomic Blonde'' || The producers wish to thank |- | {{center|{{TableTBA}}}} || ''He Helped Me: A Fan Film from the Book of Saw'' || Special thanks |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Credit ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- | 2003 || ''The Three Amigos'' || || Documentary |- | 2004 || ''The Casino'' || || |- | 2005−06 || ''Love, Inc.'' || Executive producer || |- | 2008 || ''Vlog'' || Executive producer || |- | 2011 || ''Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen'' || Co-executive producer || Television special |- | 2003−12 || ''Two and a Half Men'' || Executive producer || |- | 2012−14 || ''Anger Management'' || Executive producer || |- | 2017 || ''Hit the Road'' || Executive producer || |- | 2017−20 || ''Loudermilk'' || Executive producer || |}
==Awards and recognition==
Burg has been nominated and won numerous awards. He received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his work on ''Two and a Half Men'' and won both a TV Land Award for his work on the same and a ShoWest Award for his work on the ''Saw film series''.
===Primetime Emmy Awards=== {| class=wikitable |- ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:26em;"| Category ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Nominated work ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result ! Ref. |- |style="text-align:center;"|2006 || rowspan=3|Outstanding Comedy Series || rowspan=3|''Two and a Half Men'' || {{nom}} ||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weisman |first1=John |title=Comedy Series |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/awards/comedy-series-3-1200339062/ |website=Variety}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;"|2007 || {{nom}} ||<ref>{{cite web |title=Emmys produces names |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/emmys-produces-names-148613/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;", rowspan=2|2008 || {{nom}}||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Appelo |first1=Tim |title='Two and a Half Men': 5 Reasons the Show Won't Try for a Best Comedy Emmy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/two-a-men-5-reasons-187561/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- |}
===TV Land Awards=== {| class=wikitable |- ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:26em;"| Category ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Nominated work ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result ! Ref. |- |style="text-align:center;"|2009 || TV Land Future Classic Award||''Two and a Half Men'' || {{win}} ||<ref>{{cite web |title=The Seventh Annual TV Land Awards to Honor 'M*A*S*H,' 'Married with Children,' 'Home Improvement,' 'Magnum P.I.,' 'Knots Landing' and 'Two and a Half Men' Among Others |url=https://www.paramount.com/press/the-seventh-annual-tv-land-awards-to-honor-mash-married-with-children-home-improvement-magnum-pi-knots-landing-and-two-and-a-half-men-among-others |website=Paramount}}</ref> |- |}
===ShowWest Awards=== {| class=wikitable |- ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:26em;"| Category ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Nominated work ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result ! Ref. |- |style="text-align:center;"|2007 || ShoWest Award of Excellence in Producing||''Saw film series'' || {{win}} ||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilday |first1=Gregg |title=Burg and Koules to get ShoWest producing nod |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/burg-koules-get-showest-producing-131694/ |website=Hollywood Reporter |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0121117}}
{{Twisted Pictures}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burg, Mark}} Category:Living people Category:American male television actors Category:Television producers from New York (state) Category:People from Hartsdale, New York Category:1959 births