27 facts about Tim Burton: from A to Z

The youth of a space girl

The future star of American cinema was brought up in an intelligent, aristocratic family. Among her ancestors were: lords, knights, barons. Helena's great-grandfather served as Prime Minister of Great Britain, and her great-grandmother was Baroness Bonham Carter. The girl studied at Westminster School with her brothers Edward and Thomas.

When Helena was five years old, her mother had a mental disorder, for which she was treated for around three years old. Then the illness overtook the girl's father. Raymond was diagnosed with a tumor that led to deafness. As a result of unsuccessful surgical intervention, the head of the family suffered a stroke. Only the strengthened mother had to take care of her bedridden husband. To help their mother, the children left Westminster School for a while.

To escape from her problems at home, Helena plunged headlong into writing poems. In 1979, Bonham Carter competed in the prestigious Grapevine literary competition.

The girl received a cash prize, which she spent on a portfolio for a casting catalogue. The result was not long in coming; the fifteen-year-old British woman made her debut in the film “A Pattern of Roses.”

Tim and Helen's children

The civil marriage of Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter produced two children. The eldest son was born in 2003, in October. Tim Burton's wife agreed to name him Bill after Tim's grandfather. Four years later, in December 2007, the director became a father for the second time. The girl born was named Nell.

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Tim has no other children. Despite the breakup with Helena, he still spends time with his son and daughter.

By the way, Tim Burton’s former common-law wife is also present during these walks. Photos of the family constantly appear on the pages of magazines.

A confident start and a fateful meeting with a famous director

Participation in the cult film “A Room with a View” brought Helena popularity. Edward Morgan's film was nominated for Oscars in eight categories. After a convincing debut, directors bombarded Bonham Carter with interesting offers. The actress played leading roles in such projects as: “The Mask”, “Franziske”, “Twelfth Night”, “Wings of the Dove”.

Helena Bonham Carter in the movie "A Room with a View"

Despite the resounding success in her homeland, Helena wanted something new and unusual. The actress went to America, where she radically changed her favorite image of the “queen of corsets” and the “English rose”. In 1999, Bonham Carter played the main character Marla Singer in the film Fight Club. The combination of shocking and gloomy appealed to Tim Burton, who specializes in mystical projects with elements of schizophrenia.

In Helena’s creative career, the period of “Burton” works began, where her partner on the set was the no less shocking and crazy Johnny Depp. For her participation in the film Live from Baghdad, Bonham Carter was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. This was followed by filming in such films as: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Swinney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, “Terminator”.

Helena Bonham Carter roles

From 2007 to 2011, Helena starred as Bellatrix Lestrange in four parts of the Harry Potter series. In 2012, Tim Burton's muse played the main role in his new mystical creation, Dark Shadows. Then she starred in the following films: “The Lone Ranger”, “Cinderella”, “Alice Through the Looking Glass”, “55 Steps”, “Ocean’s 8”.

The Grim Storyteller, or Everything You Wanted to Know About Tim Burton

As part of a collaboration with Warner Bros. in 1988 he directed the science fiction film Beetlejuice. The comedy about ghosts, the afterlife and an eccentric exorcist “on the contrary” was the director’s first experience of working with actor Michael Keaton, who then played the main role in both Burton’s “BePlanet of the Apes” and “Mars Attacks!”, which turned out quite in the spirit of “classic Burton”. “In comics, I only trust the most incredible characters!” - said the director. Burton's "BaBaBafe" remains not his box office films, but his signature horror tales. “I have always liked fairy tales, but classical interpretations are still not for me. I prefer to take familiar images and themes and “modernize” them a little. It seems to me that all these legends, beliefs and fairy tales have a certain psychological background that does not become outdated, and therefore they can be told “in a new way” without harm to the idea embedded in them,” says Burton.

As for the craving for “horror stories,” the director recalls: “I grew up on vampire films. My parents said I watched monster movies before I could walk. I've always loved all kinds of monsters, vampires. In many countries there are legends about vampires, folklore, and mythology. It's a very powerful symbol."

In 2012, two “vampire” films were released on the big screen, created with the direct participation of Burton - Timur Bekmambetov’s film “President Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and the black comedy “Dark Shadows”, which became the eighth collaboration between Tim Burton and his “ comrade” and cinematic like-minded Johnny Depp.

Burton and Depp: brother, friend and aardvark

And the beginning of a long-term collaboration in 1990 was marked by that same fateful film “Edward Scissorhands”. Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Depp's eternal casting competitor Jim Carrey were considered as alternative candidates for the lead role. However, Burton chose Johnny, perhaps as recognition for his sacrifices - for the sake of the role, the actor lost, no joke, 11 kg.

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp at the official presentation of the film "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" in Paris, January 16, 2008

The successful joint film was followed by others - “Ed Wood”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “Corpse Bride”, where Depp participated in the voice acting, and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” based on the 1964 story of the same name by Roald Daal. The sponsor of this film (and, in particular, the real chocolate river) was the Nestle corporation, which provided about 1,850 chocolate bars for filming. In addition to the river, the candy canes on the trees, mints, pink sugar cane plantations, and even the “brutal” squirrels in the Walnut Room were real in the film - about 40 individuals were attracted and trained especially for the scene of their attack on the spoiled girl. The only things that were unreal were Johnny’s frightening “Hollywood” smile and his wig in the style of Anna Wintour (the famous editor-in-chief of American Vogue with the “affectionate” nickname “nuclear winter” - Nuclear Wintour/Winter). Wintour's hairstyle suggested to Depp the external embodiment of Willy Wonka.

Still from the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

Passion and troubles of a “wonderful” couple

After breaking up with Kenneth Branagh, Helena began dating the talented director and lover of mysticism Tim Burton. They met on the set of the film “Planet of the Apes.” The office romance quickly grew into passionate love. In the fall of 2001, the couple decided to move to a new level of relationship. They lived in neighboring houses in the Belsize Park area.

Later, Helena and Tim purchased a luxurious mansion in the UK, which had previously been rented by the grandmother of actress Violet Bonham Carter. In October 2003, there was an addition to the creative family; a son, Billy Raymond Burton, was born. Four years later, a daughter was born, whose parents could not give a name for a long time, because the eminent father was busy with the premiere of his next film. As a result, the baby was named Nell Burton.

Billy and Nell's godfather was the famous actor Johnny Depp, with whom Helena and Tim have been friends for decades. In December 2014, information appeared in the media that the most unusual, but at the same time stable couple in Hollywood had broken up. Although the couple did not give any comments on this matter, they soon began to live separately.

Later it became known that the reason for the separation of Burton and Bonham Carter was the midlife crisis of the eminent director. Now Tim and Helena maintain friendly relations and continue to replenish their creative treasures with new works. Burton was involved in the production of the film "Dumbo", where the main roles were played by: Dany DeVito, Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell and Eva Green. He has plans for a Beetlejuice sequel.

Tim Burton's ex-wife enjoys acting in films and does not touch questions about her personal life.

Tim Burton and his wife shocked passers-by (PHOTO)

World-famous Hollywood director Tim Burton and his equally famous wife Helena Bonham-Carter literally shocked passers-by with their appearance when they appeared on the street in rags.

And it wasn't a shoot. Spouses Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter recently decided to take a walk and, in order not to attract the annoying attention of numerous fans and paparazzi, they chose a very unconventional way to do this. Instead of putting on T-shirts, black glasses, wigs, and inconspicuous coats, as all foreign celebrities usually do, the director and his missus suddenly appeared before the amazed passers-by literally in rags.

Burton, 54, chose a faded black shirt and plain gray jeans for the outing. Tim smoothed down his signature look—his tousled gray hair—and put on black glasses. True, they are unlikely to have saved him from the surprised glances of people who immediately noticed this sweet couple of freaks.

His wife, 46-year-old Bonham-Carter, holding her husband's arm, looked like him. The famous actress dressed up in a baggy brown coat, from under which a light green dress, more like a robe, peeked out. On Helena’s head stood a somewhat disheveled “babette”, which, however, like Tim Burton’s tousled hair, is her distinctive feature. However, the most interesting thing about her look was not even the coat or robe dress. Judging by the clothes of the celebrities, it was somewhat chilly that day in London (which is where Burton and Bonham-Carter live). But even this did not stop Helena from deciding to wear flip-flops directly on her bare feet.

As a result, the couple, instead of hiding from the crowd, only attracted attention. Note that both Tim and Helena are well-known freaks of foreign show business. This is evident not only from their work (Tim is known for his films with unusual animation and dark humor, and Helena is known for controversial roles of all sorts of strange personalities), but also from their style of clothing, and not everyday, but secular, when stars go out on the red carpet . And if Burton is still trying to comply with the dress code, wearing a tuxedo or “white top and black bottom,” then Helena, even in a floor-length dress, manages to look somewhat crazy due to the strange style or originality of the cut of her outfit.

Despite the obvious strangeness of the couple, audiences love Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter. His paintings “Sleepy Hollow” or “Corpse Bride” and her legendary Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films created for them an unfading aura of fame, an important part of which is their unique style.

_Photo: facebook.com_

Tim Burton's wife

Artist, writer and producer Tim Burton creates images that he draws from himself. He is considered one of the greatest directors and great authors who created a large number of bright and unique films on the screen that have gained enormous popularity in all corners of the world. His works immediately after their release received incredible popularity and recognition. He has gained a reputation as a gifted director who simply cannot make bad films. Most likely, this is why the public’s attention is now focused on him, as well as his personal life. Many people are also concerned about who Tim Burton is married to.

A little from the biography of the American film director

Even in early childhood, Tim Burton showed an ability to draw. He spent little time with his family. And he had practically no friends. Many even then considered him a very strange child. Perhaps his worldview was influenced by the fact that there was a municipal cemetery near the house. He even went outside very rarely, sitting up reading books and watching Vincent Price films.

The young author’s first independent work was the six-minute black and white cartoon “Vincent.” Burton's film debut was the film Pee-wee's Big Adventure, which gained great popularity among viewers. One of Tim Burton's best films to this day is considered the sad fairy tale "Edward Scissorhands", in which Johnny Depp played the main role.

Tim Burton's women

Lately, many people have been wondering who Tim Burton is married to. At different periods of time, the paparazzi spread information about the director’s three most striking novels. Tim's first wife was photographer Lena Geiske. However, their union lasted only 2 years, after which the couple divorced. Burton's next chosen one was model and actress Lisa Marie. Their relationship was more serious and lasted 9 years. While filming the film Planet of the Apes, Tim became interested in an actress named Helena Bonham Carter. In 2001, he became engaged to her. In 2003, they had a son, Billy Ray, and in 2007, a daughter, whom they named Nell.

Star Trek and movies

During his collaboration with Walt Disney Studios, Tim changed several positions: first he was a character designer, and then he became an animator.

Burton created his first cartoon, called “Vincent,” in 1982.

Tim's second independent work in the studio was the feature film "Frankenweenie" - a peculiar interpretation of the film "Frankenstein", adapted for a children's audience. But this film was banned from being shown on screens, although several copies did end up in the wrong hands - comedian Paul Reubens saw the film and rated it positively.

He invited Tim to start shooting a feature film, which resulted in the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” This was the first serious work of the novice director, it was considered successful, so Tim was offered various scenarios for implementation. He irrevocably rejected many options and began filming the film “Beetlejuice”, as well as creating the science fiction films “Be.

In 1990, Burton's even more prominent work appeared - the film Edward Scissorhands, starring Johnny Depp. This director's creation contains biographical motifs: Tim reflected in the film the mood of his childhood, when he felt like an outcast, a stranger in his hometown.

From time to time he returned to the past when he created cartoons. So, Tim wrote the script for the puppet cartoon “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, but due to his workload he was unable to start creating it. It was directed by someone else.

Meanwhile, Tim continued his active collaboration with Johnny Depp. In 1999, he invited the actor to play a role in the film Sleepy Hollow, based on the novel by Washington Irving. In 2000, Burton began creating a remake of the science-fiction film "Planet of the Apes", but the result was recognized by critics as the director's worst film.

Burton experienced a creative crisis in his life when his parents died. The events of his personal life were reflected in the film “Big Fish”. However, the decadent mood soon went away, and Tim made the film “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and created the puppet cartoon “Corpse Bride,” for which he was awarded an Oscar.

Tim's next major project (also starring Johnny Depp) is the film Alice in Wonderland. He continues to create and actively participate in the life of the cinema world. In 2010, he became chairman of the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, and in 2012 he acted as a producer of the film President Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.