Artist Blueprint _ Tommy Burke January 16th 2024

We want to reach out to introduce you to author Tommy Burke, whose autobiography Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs, 30 Years of Film & Television Production with Life (& Near Death) Lessons, is a captivating memoir that follows the author's journey from bar bouncing in Boston to working on award-winning television shows and movies. This is an endearing story of overcoming the odds through dark humor, tenacity, authenticity, and happiness. Initially envisioned as a memoir about a man who had beaten Hodgkin's Lymphoma and lived to tell the tale, the author was then thrown a major curveball with a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Equal parts pep-talk and gut-punch, this unvarnished and vulnerable memoir-meets-handbook shares lessons learned in life and work. These pages encourage readers to keep moving forward, embrace resilience, step out of their comfort zones, and take life head on. About Tommy Burke With more than 30 years of TV and film production experience, Tommy Burke brings an extensive and diverse list of credits to his latest creative endeavor: a book about the industry and insurmountable odds. A graduate of Boston College, Burke started out in television as a production Assistant while working other odd jobs – from bar bouncer and golf caddy to factory assemblyman – to sustain the meager TV industry income. His work ethic and build came in handy, scoring him a gig loading grip trucks for Powerhouse Films, which further exposed him to commercials and films in and around the New England area. He soon became the 'go to' guy of Production Assistants in Boston, working every motion picture produced in Massachusetts. After a move to Los Angeles in 1990, Burke quickly moved up the production ranks, working as First Assistant Director on an independent film with Johnny Depp. Nicknamed the "the Irish Bull" by his west coast colleagues, Burke went on to secure Assistant Director credits including Jerry Bruckheimer's acclaimed TV series Skin, Close to Home, CSI Miami and the pilot for Desperate Housewives. He spent his last five years on Chicago PD. In 2003, Burke was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Three years of doctor visits, nine operations and chemotherapy treatments were all included in part of his rigorous 14-hour shoot day routine. To no surprise, given his well-known tenacity, Burke conquered the disease into remission mostly by himself. Now, as he faces Parkinson's disease – his most challenging health problem yet – true to his style and heart, Burke is compelled to motivate and inspire others, so they learn from this experience.