Jackson Burns facts for kids

Jackson Burns (July 29, 1956 – November 24, 2016) was an American stunt performer, stunt coordinator, writer, and actor. He was known as "Action Jackson" for his exciting work in movies and TV shows. He made many films and television shows more thrilling with his daring stunts.

Who Was Jackson Burns?

Jackson Burns was born on July 29, 1956, in Poteau, Oklahoma. He was the only child of Luther Jackson Burns and Ermaline Delora Lockhart. Jackson had Native American heritage. He finished high school in 1974 in Heavener, Oklahoma. He also briefly attended Northeastern State University. Jackson often said that not finishing his education was a big regret for him.

His Amazing Stunt Career

Jackson was famous as "Action Jackson" in the stunt world. He ran his own company called Action Jackson Stunts, based in Houston, Texas. He worked on many popular shows and movies. These included Walker, Texas Ranger, The Con, and Fingerprints.

Jackson performed many incredible stunts:

• He did a "fire drag" stunt where he was completely covered in flames. He was dragged 246 feet from a vehicle.
• In another stunt, he took 22 "squib" hits in just 15 seconds. Squibs are small explosive devices that create the look of a bullet hitting someone.
• As a stunt double for George Kennedy, he was dragged 282 feet from the back of a horse.
• He was hit by a car going 17 miles per hour as a stunt double for James Gandolfini. He broke the windshield and flew over the car without getting hurt.
• For the same actor and movie, he launched himself from an 18-wheel truck into the windshield of a pickup truck.

It is said that James Gandolfini based his stuntman character in the movie Get Shorty on Jackson Burns.

Life Before Stunts

Before becoming a stuntman, Jackson Burns had many different jobs. He worked as a lumberjack and a heavy equipment operator. He was also a private investigator and a karate instructor. He even raced motorcycles and supervised at an amusement park. All these experiences helped him prepare for his exciting career in stunts.

Beyond Stunts

Jackson's work in movies and TV earned him many awards. He also worked on a special project called "The Redneck Archaeologist." For this project, he traveled the world finding unknown historical sites and artifacts. He also had a popular YouTube Channel where he shared his adventures.

Jackson was also involved in his community. He was a community activist and helped with elections. The Mayor of Houston, Bill White, recognized his efforts. Harris County Commissioners Court also honored him with a special resolution.

Jackson Burns was married to Nelly Castrejon, an actress and model. They had one son and lived in Houston, Texas. He passed away on November 24, 2016, at the age of 60.

See also

• Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion (1994 film)