Matinee Classics - Paul Burke Biography & Filmography

Paul Burke ACTOR

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PAUL BURKE BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Paul Burke was born on July 21st, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Martin Burke. Burke received his early years education at a number of prep schools and began to develop an interest early on in acting.

In the early 1940's he decided to relocate to Hollywood and give an acting career a try. He began studying at the Pasadena Playhouse and in 1951 he was cast in the musical, "Call Me Mister". Soon he was working in the film industry with small un-credited roles in such features as, "Fearless Fagan" (1952), "Francis Goes to West Point" (1952), "Three Sailors and a Girl" (1953), "South Sea Woman" (1953) and "Spy Chasers" (1955).

Now with quite a bit of experience on his resume he began to earn the attention of Hollywood and was cast in more substantial roles on such films as, "Francis in the Navy" (1955), "Screaming Eagles" (1956) and "The Disembodied" (1957).

Along with his film work he was also appearing on a variety of television series such as, "The Adventures of Superman", "Highway Patrol", "M Squad", "Dragnet", "The Lineup" and "Twelve O'Clock High".

Burke was soon cast in his most well known role on the television series, "Naked City" (1958) for which he earned two Emmy nominations. Other television roles he has added over the course of his career were appearances on, "Ironside", "The Rookies", "Police Woman", "Mannix", "Hot Shots", "Dynasty" and the daytime soap opera, "Santa Barbara".

His career was going strong up until 1989 when he was accused of federal racketeering charges along with aiding a gambling operation. Although he was acquitted of all charges his name in Hollywood had suffered greatly and he was unable to find any acting work.

He was cast in one final film role on, "The Fool" in 1990 and also made an appearance on the television series, "Columbo" also 1990. He then completely retired from the industry.

Paul Burke married twice throughout his lifetime. His first wife was Peggy Pryor and together they had three children. After this marriage came to an end he married his second wife, Lyn Peters in 1979 and they remained together until he passed away at the age of eighty three on September 13th, 2009 in Palm Springs, California after suffering from leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.