Burgi began his career in New York City with work in commercials, which led to regular roles on the daytime soap operas Another World and As The World Turns. He was cast as the lead in the UPN primetime series The Sentinel, which was cancelled after three seasons, leaving key plot issues unresolved; an intense fan campaign convinced the network to film an additional half-season worth of episodes to end the series properly.

Burgi's additional television credits include appearances in 24, Firefly, Point Pleasant, CSI, The District, Matlock, Providence, Las Vegas, Just Shoot Me! and Seinfeld.

Burgi's screen credits include In Her Shoes, Fun with Dick and Jane, Cellular, Hostel: Part II, and Shanghai Red.

Burgi was born in Montclair, New Jersey. He is a supporter of both the San Clemente-based Surfrider Foundation, which works to protect and preserve shoreline and coastal environments, and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, a Laguna Beach volunteer-run and funded organization which tends to the needs of sick or injured seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals.

Burgi married Lori Kahn on November 25, 1995. They have two sons, Jack and Samuel.