Jim Burns was an American writer and executive producer.

Burns is best known for creating the MTV Unplugged series with Robert Small in 1989, which featured popular musicians performing stripped-down, acoustic versions of their songs. The show was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and featured acts like Aerosmith, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Mariah Carey, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Jay-Z.

Burns died December 26, 2017, in New York City, New York. He was 65.