Raymond William Stacey Burr was a Canadian legend actor (May 21, 1917 – September 12, 1993). You might know him well from the TV shows Perry Mason and Ironside.
Early in his acting career, he primarily played roles on Broadway, radio, television, and movies, usually as the villain. Perry Mason had a considerable impact and won two Emmy Awards in 1959 and 1961 for acting, which he played for nine seasons between 1957 and 1966.
His second sensation series, Ironside, earned him six Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations. He is also famous for his role as Steve Martin in Godzilla, King of the Monsters! and Godzilla 1985.
Moreover, to his acting, Burr owned an orchid enterprise and had formed to grow a vineyard. He was rated number 44 of the 50 Marvelous TV Superstars of All Time by TV Guide magazine in 1996.
After his death from cancer in 1993, Burr’s personal life came into inquiry as details of his known biography seemed to be unverifiable. Gradually, it was disclosed that Burr had possibly driven a life story that concealed his homosexuality.
Profile Summary
Full name: Raymond William Stacey Burr
Nickname: Raymond
Place Of Birth: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Religion: Christianity
Nationality: Candian
Profession: Acting
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Physical Appearance
Height: 5 feet 11 inches (1.83 m)
Weight: 340 pounds
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Dark Brown
About Raymond Burr
He was born in Canada in New Westminster, British Columbia 1917.
His dad was a (hardware salesman), who sold tools and other household items at a store. At the same time, his mother was a talented musician who played the piano and trained others how to play, too.
His parents divorced when he was younger, and he moved to California with his mom and siblings.
Raymond went to school for some time, but there are some testimonies he told around his teenage years that might not be exactly actual. For example, he stated he once worked on a ranch in New Mexico when he was 12 years old. He also said he acted in performses around that point.
It seems like Raymond did loads of different things as a teenager, however, some of his stories are a little confusing.
Bill Burr and His Weight
Bill Burr wasn’t always the confident comedian we know today. He disclosed he was a chubby kid (around 12.75 pounds at birth!) and faced bullying throughout school.
Being overweight also caused difficulties in his comedy career. Getting acting roles was challenging, and things got worse when famous talk show host Johnny Carson began making fun of him on his show.
Burr even refused to appear on Carson’s show because of the jokes, feeling Carson picked on people who couldn’t defend themselves.
A Life On Stage, Screen, and Radio
Rising during the Depression, Burr couldn’t afford acting school but joined repertory theatre companies. He uncovered success on Broadway and became a Pasadena Playhouse theater faculty member.
In the 1940s and 50s, Burr became a go-to villain in film noir movies, playing complex and menacing characters.
Despite his weight limitations on screen, Burr’s fantastic voice made him a leading radio actor, playing both heroes and villains.
His emphatic courtroom performance in “A Place in the Sun” caught Perry Mason’s creators’ eye and led to his iconic television role.
Raymond Burr’s Marriage and Longtime Partner
His love life had its ups and downs. In 1948, Burr married actress Isabella Ward. They met while she was a learner at the Pasadena Playhouse. Their marriage only lasted a few months, and Ward returned to her native Delaware. They divorced in 1952, and neither remarried.
Later on, In 1960, On the set of Perry Mason, Burr met Robert Benevides, an actor and Korean War veteran. Benevides became his partner for life, even leaving acting to support Burr’s career.
Burr and Benevides ran a flourishing orchid business and vineyard together. They were partners until Burr’s passing.
Although Burr never publicly discussed his sexuality, news statements after his death indicated he was gay.
Raymond Burr’s Final Days
Raymond Burr fell ill when he was filming his last Perry Mason film in 1993.
Doctors discovered the cancer that had been previously removed from his kidney had spread to his liver and was nonfunctioning.
Knowing his time was short, Burr threw goodbye parties for his beloved ones. Burr expired away at his ranch in September 1993 at the age of 76.
The American Bar Association praised Burr’s portrayal of Perry Mason as professional and noble, even comparing his loss to that of a reputable lawyer. A legal publication poll even classified Perry Mason as the American public’s second most admired attorney (imagined or actual).