Tim Burton biography, wife, net worth, age, children, family, height 2025

Tim Burton's biography

Tim Burton is an American director who made his mark as an animator. He often writes scripts for his films and also acts as producer. Burton's signature style combines dark, atmospheric storytelling with quirky humor. He's credited with reviving Gothic cinema. Net worth: $150 million.

Early years

Timothy Walter Burton was born in Burbank on August 25, 1958. His father Bill was a former baseball player and after his sports career ended, he worked for the city's parks and recreation department. His mother Jean ran a shop selling products for cats.

Tim Burton in childhood with his mother and younger brother

His school experience was mixed: Tim wasn't interested in studying or socializing, but he enjoyed water polo and joined the local team. Being a loner by nature, Burton preferred to spend his free time at cinemas or developing his own film projects.

The future director reportedly started making short films in his backyard when he was just 8 years old. Almost nothing from that material has remained. A nearby cemetery likely influenced Burton's dark worldview.

In 1976 Tim entered the California Institute of the Arts, where he learned the basics of animation. Three years later he got a job at the Disney studio. His Disney career had its ups and downs: misunderstandings with bosses, promotions, and moves to other departments. Burton released the Vincent cartoon-short film (1982) under the auspices of Disney. Even then, critics noted how different Tim's style was from Disney's.

Frankenweenie (1984) led to the end of their working relationship. Disney executives found the cartoon about a dog brought back from the dead too frightening for kids. Many years later the animated short film was refined to a full-length cartoon.

Career

The break from Disney had its upside. Paul Reubens, the famous comedian, took pity on the young talent after watching his short films and offered him the chance to direct the family comedy Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985).

Tim Burton and Paul Reubens on the set of Pee-wee's Big Adventure

After finishing his debut, Tim moved on to Beetlejuice (1988) and cast Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton in the lead roles. The initial script was not only darker—Burton's trademark—but also delved much deeper into the subject matter. Not wanting to overcomplicate things, Burton cut several scenes and plot twists, making the film more accessible. The director earned his first major award nomination, though the Saturn Award ultimately went to Robert Zemeckis. The film also received an Oscar for best makeup.

According to Burton, the opportunity to tackle comics and direct Batman (1989) came as a surprise. The film boasted an impressive cast, including Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton. When discussing his directorial style, Burton often acknowledges the traits critics assign to him, but he considers this film different from his other work. Burton believes that compared to today's Dark Knight stories, his version feels like a children's matinee in terms of darkness and weirdness. Either way, the film marked another milestone in superhero cinema.

Edward Scissorhands (1990) not only cemented Burton's signature style but also launched his long-running collaboration with Johnny Depp. The trust between director and actor runs so deep that Depp has signed contracts for Burton's films either without reading the script or while it was still being written.

Interestingly, Depp wasn't Burton's obvious first choice for the scissor-handed character. He could easily be replaced by Jim Carrey or Robert Downey Jr., who were also among the candidates.

According to Zoomboola.com, in 1992 Tim returned to Batman and his universe. Michael Keaton put on a superhero costume for the second time for Batman Returns (1992). With new characters came new cast members: Michelle Pfeiffer transformed into Catwoman and Danny De Vito became the Penguin.

Tim Burton and Danny De Vito on the set of Batman Returns

Due to scheduling conflicts, Burton couldn't direct The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), though he wrote the original story. The animated film received a lukewarm reception initially but later achieved cult status.

On the set of The Nightmare Before Christmas

The director wanted to shift his creative focus and explore new territory. He chose the story of Hollywood's worst director as his next project. This is how Ed Wood (1994) appeared, which didn't connect with audiences but earned recognition through various award nominations at major festivals. Critics and industry peers especially praised Martin Landau's performance.

Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of Ed Wood

After tackling serious themes in his signature style, Tim dove into sci-fi comedy with Mars Attacks! (1996). For the first time, the director used computer graphics. He reunited with many familiar collaborators while also casting newcomers like Pierce Brosnan.

Burton then shifted from comedy to horror with Sleepy Hollow (1999). Johnny Depp was again in the foreground, and Christina Ricci and Christopher Walken helped him to frighten and amaze the audience. An entire village was constructed as the set - a scale of production Britain had rarely seen.

Having always been fascinated by the ape franchise, Burton eagerly accepted the opportunity to helm the new Planet of the Apes (2001). On set with Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Paul Giamatti also working, Burton began his relationship with Helena Bonham Carter, who became his partner and muse for many years.

Burton followed up with Big Fish (2003) - considered by many fans and critics to be his finest feature film. This fantasy parable weaves together multiple themes: the relationship of fathers and children, love, acceptance of truth, and fiction. Ewan McGregor, Marion Cotillard and Jessica Lange helped Burton bring his vision to audiences in this adaptation of Daniel Wallace's novel.

Burton's next film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), proved to be a visual spectacle. Johnny Depp was noted in the image of eccentric manufacturer Willy Wonka, and the other lead role went to then very young Freddie Highmore. The film's production proved incredibly demanding, with meticulous attention paid to every detail. For example, it was necessary to train 40 squirrels for a short scene, and Deep Roy played multiple characters, requiring him to repeat dialogue endlessly. The exhausting production seemingly drove Burton to seek refuge in animation.

On the set of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Burton earned his first Oscar nomination in 2006 for the animated film Corpse Bride (2005). The film perfectly embodied his signature style: from character design to the haunting atmosphere throughout.

Top 10 Tim Burton Movies

A year had passed and Burton had already received the Golden Lion in Venice for his contribution to the cinematography. By that time, he had just finished the Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). Familiar faces returned to the cast, including Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, along with Burton's trademark approach to death as something mundane, colorfully rendered.

On the set of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Who better than Burton to tackle Alice in Wonderland (2010)? He was given a large budget and allowed to fully fill the cast and wasn't limited at all during the production process. Box office receipts exceeded one billion and the film captured the whimsical madness and nonsense of the book.

Burton eagerly gave interviews after the premiere, revealing he was attached to Maleficent. At that time Angelina Jolie was just taking a close look at the project. Despite their mutual public admiration, the collaboration never materialized: the film was released in 2014 and was directed by Robert Stromberg.

Burton is told to have managed to rediscover Gothic

Burton's Dark Shadows (2012) reminded many of The Addams Family (1991). Rumors periodically surface that Tim would helm any series reboot, so perhaps some of the similarities are partially a hint. Box office returns failed to recoup the hefty $150 million budget, and not only the director but also Johnny Depp, who plays the leading role was criticized.

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter at the premiere of Dark Shadows

Nearly thirty years later, Burton revisited one of his earliest and most beloved characters, who he felt deserved another shot. He released a new version, now the full-length cartoon Frankenweenie (2012). The plot differed from the original, and Burton explained it quite simply: he refused to simply rehash the same material. The animation film was nominated for a number of awards including the Oscar.

The trailer of Tim Burton's cartoon Frankenweenie

Burton then tackled another biographical story, eager to bring it to cinematic life. An atypical Burton project, Big Eyes (2014) with Amy Adams in the lead role sheds light on the life of a real artist, faced with injustice and fighting for recognition of merit.

Tim Burton and Amy Adams on the set of Big eyes

Challenges emerged during the script development for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016). The plot of the book was mostly based on the photos found by the hero Asa Butterfield. The photo descriptions and related details didn't translate well to film. Creative liberties were necessary, requiring extensive adaptation of Ransom Riggs' original text.

Tim Burton on the set of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Whether due to time constraints or other factors, Burton decided to step down as director of Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016), handing the reins to James Bobin while staying on as producer. Despite the long gap since the original film's release, the filmmakers managed to bring back the main cast. The eclectic ensemble was joined by the provocative Sacha Baron Cohen. Critics widely considered the film a failure. It couldn't come close to matching the original's success.

Tim Burton's personal life

Tim was officially married only once: his marriage with German artist Lena Gieseke lasted from 1987 to 1991.

Tim Burton with Lena Gieseke and Lisa Marie (photo from the right)

Following his divorce, Burton was in a relationship with model-actress Lisa Marie for 13 years. The couple got engaged, and Burton cast his partner in small roles. The relationship ended in 2001, with Lisa pursuing financial claims in the breakup. She received about $5.5 million and sought additional compensation, but the court rejected her claim. In 2005, Marie held an auction featuring Burton's personal belongings. Burton was furious but powerless to stop it.

Tim Burton with Helena Bonham Carter and children

While preparing his Planet of the Apes (2001) remake, Burton began a romance with actress Helena Bonham Carter. In 2003 she gave birth to son Billy and daughter Nell in 2007. Johnny Depp, Burton's longtime friend and frequent collaborator, served as godfather to both children. The press buzzed with rumors about an upcoming wedding between the director and actress. Wedding bells never rang: the unmarried couple announced their amicable split in 2014.

Tim Burton nowadays

Whenever Burton stays out of the public eye, rumors about his next projects inevitably surface.

One of Burton's last major works was the film Dumbo (2019). In addition to Danny De Vito, Michael Keaton and Colin Farrell, Eva Green also participates in the creation of the picture. Burton considers the actress the embodiment of old Hollywood glamour, which is why he's happy to work with her repeatedly.

The trailer of Tim Burton's Dumbo

In 2020, it became known that Tim Burton is going to make his own cartoon about Batman, the main character in which Johnny Depp can play.

Tim Burton: latest news and articles

Tim Burton Returns to Animation. He'll Create His First Animated Film Since 2012

4 Jul 2025

Between the Christmas Tree and the Shootout: 13 Coolest Christmas Action Movies

24 Dec 2024

Michelle Crawford

Burton has the best version of Alice in Wonderland! I don`t think somebody will do it better then him.

2021-05-17 20:15:38
Edward Cole

Miss Peregrine`s Home for Peculiar Children is, if not the pinnacle of his filmmaking, then definitely a very close point. The movie is cool. I don`t understand why some people don`t like him so much. Burton is a genius.

2021-05-12 22:15:32
Juanita Smith

I love cartoons by Burton! I watched all of them and many times. The Nightmare Before Christmas I reviewed in the New Year holidays with The Irony of Fate.

2021-04-27 18:31:28
Dorothy Hall

I love Burton, because he`s a big fan of Johnny Depp. As I`m! :D If he has a new movie coming out, then with probability 60% of it there will be Johnny.

2021-02-26 08:39:36
Jeffrey Underwood

Who doesn`t know Tim Burton at all? Ask anyone for a list of his favorite films and there will definitely be one from this director :)

2021-02-19 16:28:44

Photos: Tim Burton