Paul Burke was born on July 21, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, is Actor. Tall, dark, and handsome is how Hollywood liked their leading men back in the 1950s and 1960s, and actor Paul Burke certainly fit the bill. While his career fell short of outright stardom, he managed to stand out in a couple of acclaimed TV cop series series in the 1960s and "enjoyed" semi-cult notice by co-starring in one of the screen's most celebrated turkeys of all time.The New Orleans-born actor was born on July 21, 1926, the son of Martin Burke, a prizefighter who later became a well-known promoter and French Quarter nightclub owner ("Marty Burke's"). Educated at prep schools, he was drawn to acting and moved to Hollywood in the late 1940s, studying at the Pasadena Playhouse for a couple of years. Screen director Lloyd Bacon, a friend of his father Marty, helped the fledgling actor along by giving him an unbilled part in the Betty Grable musical Call Me Mister (1951). From there, he managed to scrounge up bit/uncredited parts in such 1950s films as Fearless Fagan (1952); Francis Goes to West Point (1952), Three Sailors and a Girl (1953), South Sea Woman (1953), and Spy Chasers (1955). He moved up the ladder a bit to featured status in another Francis the talking mule picture, Francis in the Navy (1955), and in Screaming Eagles (1956), then earned a starring role in the voodoo/jungle horror flick The Disembodied (1957), opposite the "50-Foot Woman," herself, Allison Hayes.Better yet, Paul found steady work on the small tube with grim-faced roles in a number of crime series such as Highway Patrol (1955),The Lineup (1954), M Squad (1957), and Dragnet (1951). He also appeared in Adventures of Superman (1952). Via an association with "Dragnet" producer/director Jack Webb, he received his own TV series, albeit short lived, in the form of Noah's Ark (1956), portraying veterinarian "Dr. Noah McCann." He followed that by co-starring with Barry Sullivan in another one-season series, Harbormaster (1957), a New England coast adventure yarn, and then in Five Fingers (1959), a spy drama headlining David Hedison. Another hit series came with 12 O'Clock High (1964), based on the hit film drama of the same name.Paul's best-known TV role, however, was as "Detective Adam Flint" in the highly praised police series Naked City (1958), replacing James Franciscus. He joined the program in the second season as the young partner of "Lt. Mike Parker" (portrayed by Horace McMahon), just as the half-hour show format was being extended to an hour. Based on the gritty, groundbreaking cop movie The Naked City (1948), the series did the film more than justice with excellent story lines, and Burke walked away with two Emmy nominations out of the three seasons he appeared.His only movie role in the early 1960s was the Joan Crawford starrer Della (1964) (aka Fatal Confinement), which was actually a failed pilot to a prospective TV series. Winning the co-lead role of fledgling writer "Lyon Burke" in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Jacqueline Susann's monstrous best seller, Valley of the Dolls (1967). It could have been the break to turn things around on film. It did not-far from it. The Susann book was, if anything, a guilty pleasure as readers were reeled in by the trashy Hollywood themes of drugs, fame, and sex. The movie was a laughable misfire-riddled with bad acting, bad dialogue and inept directing. It earned instant cult infamy, making many "top 10" lists for worst movie ever. It also damaged the screen careers of many of the talent involved. In reality, Paul and Barbara Parkins, who played his paramour in the movie, actually came off better and more grounded than most. Unfortunately, good or bad, they were identified with a huge turkey, and it stuck.Despite Paul's co-star cop role, opposite Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, in the stylish thriller The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), the very next year, it was not able to right the wrong of "Dolls." Thereafter, Paul tended to be overlooked in his later film, which included standard starring roles both here and abroad in such fare as Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969), Once You Kiss a Stranger... (1969), and Maharlika (1970). TV crime, however, proved again to be a reliable paycheck for Paul with guest roles in such popular 70s series as The Rookies (1972), The New Perry Mason (1973), Police Woman (1974), Harry O (1973), Mannix (1967), Ironside (1967), and the acclaimed Police Story (1973) series. TV movies also came his way, as well, with the starring role of tycoon "C.C. Capwell" (replacing Peter Mark Richman), in the daytime soap opera Santa Barbara (1984). Paul himself was replaced after a relatively brief time.Following assured roles in the series Hot Shots (1986) and Dynasty (1981), the latter as scheming "Congressman Neal McVane," who frames Joan Collins' character for murder, Paul's career hit an irreversible snag in 1989, when he and three others, including New Orleans' district attorney Harry Connick Sr. (yes, father of the crooning junior, 'Harry Connick Jr.'), were tried on federal racketeering charges, aiding and abetting a gambling operation, and committing perjury before a grand jury. The seven-week trial in 1990 resulted in his and Connick's acquittal (the other two were found guilty) but the damage was done and he wasn't able to find work when he returned to California. Paul's last film, (The Fool (1990), which was shot in England) and last TV guest role (in an episode of "Columbo") both came out in 1990.Divorced from Peggy Pryor, the mother of his three children, Paul married actress Lyn Peters in 1979. They met while she was appearing in the 12 O'Clock High (1964) episode 12 O'Clock High: Siren Voices (1966). The couple eventually retired to Palm Springs, where the actor died at age 83 of leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in September of 2009.
Paul Burke is a member of Actor
Age, Biography and Wiki
| Who is it? |
Actor |
| Birth Day |
July 21, 1926 |
| Birth Place |
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
|
Age
|
94 YEARS OLD |
| Died On |
September 13, 2009(2009-09-13) (aged 83)\nPalm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Birth Sign |
Leo |
| Alma mater |
Pasadena Playhouse |
| Occupation |
Actor |
| Years active |
1951–1990 |
| Spouse(s) |
Alice Wikan (m. 1946–1972)
Lyn Peters (m. 1979–2009) |
| Children |
From first marriage:
Paula Burke Lopez
Paul Brian Burke
Dina Burke Shawkat
Stepson: Karl Steiner (died 1989) |
| Relatives |
Alia Shawkat (granddaughter) |
💰 Net worth: $17 Million (2024)
Paul Burke's net worth is projected to reach an impressive $17 million by 2024. This American actor has established himself as an accomplished artist throughout his career. With his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft, Paul Burke has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. Known for his versatile performances, he has captivated audiences with his roles on both the big and small screens. With such financial success and recognition, Paul Burke's contributions to the world of acting are undeniable.
Biography/Timeline
1956
After training at the Pasadena Playhouse, Burke's film career began with a small role in the movie Golden Girl. Early in his career, Burke guest starred in the syndicated series, Highway Patrol and Men of Annapolis. In 1956–1957, Burke was cast as Dr. Noah McCann in Noah's Ark, a Jack Webb-produced weekly program which aired on NBC, the story of a pair of dedicated veterinarians. Victor Rodman played the older colleague, Dr. Sam Rinehart.
1957
In the 1957–1958 season, Burke appeared as Jeff Kittridge in five episodes of Barry Sullivan's adventure/drama series, Harbormaster. Burke also guest starred on episodes of The Lone Ranger, Tightrope, Dragnet, Adventures of Superman, The Man and the Challenge, and M Squad. In the 1959–1960 season, he appeared as Robertson in the NBC espionage series Five Fingers, starring with David Hedison.
1960
After Five Fingers, Burke was cast in the lead role of the police show Naked City, in which he appeared as Adam Flint from 1960 to 1963. Burke then appeared in the starring role of Captain (later Major, then Colonel) Joe Gallagher on Twelve O'Clock High between 1964 and 1967, during which time he met his wife, Lyn. The Twelve O'Clock High role was Burke's last lead television role.
1967
In 1967, Burke starred in the film Valley of the Dolls as Lyon Burke, the young Lawyer who befriended all three female stars and had a tempestuous relationship with Anne Welles. He also played a police officer who pursued an bank thief played by Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair.
1970
During the 1970s, he appeared in three episodes each of ABC's The Love Boat and CBS's Medical Center. In 1984, he appeared as C.C. Capwell in twenty-one episodes of the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara. He appeared in supporting roles in a number of television series, including recurring roles in Dynasty from 1982–1988 and in Tom Selleck's Magnum, P.I. from 1981–1985 as Rear Admiral Hawkes. Burke also served as a television commercial spokesman for the Radio Shack electronics retailer.
1989
In 1989, Burke and Harry Connick Sr., New Orleans District Attorney, were indicted on racketeering charges for aiding and abetting a gambling operation by returning gambling records to an arrested gambler. They were both acquitted of the charges.
2013
Burke was the grandfather of Actress Alia Shawkat, whose mother is Burke's daughter, Dina. He retired from acting in the early 1990s. Suffering from leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, he died at his home in Palm Springs, California, aged 83. His second wife, Lyn Peters, died in Palm Springs on September 10, 2013, at the age of 72.
