Jim Burns, the co-creator of the MTV show “Unplugged,” died on Tuesday, Dec. 26, after a taxi struck him three days earlier near his Manhattan home.
When he was crossing Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, a yellow taxi cab turned from East 87th Street and struck him at about 9:30 a.m.
Burns suffered a serious head injury and was rushed to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center where he later died.
Burns was a longtime writer and executive producer for MTV. In 1989 he created, with Robert Small, the show “Unplugged,” where musicians presented acoustic versions of their songs.
Many famous musicians like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Mariah Carey recorded Unplugged concerts. The show produced over 100 episodes and had several runs, including a 2017 reboot.
Burns was popular among his neighbors, one of the neighbors, Norah Daly, told The Post shortly after the accident.
“He’s the most amazing, amazing man,” she said. “The entire neighborhood just loves him. Every doorman in the area, every child, every dog owner in the park. He’s the most kind, generous, funny, witty man and he’s going to get better. He’s going to get better. ... We’re all very close friends with him.”
“MTV was deeply saddened to learn of Jim Burns’ passing,” the network wrote on Twitter. “As co-creator of the beloved ‘Unplugged’ franchise, his groundbreaking work continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.”
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