15 Facts About Walter Burke

Walter Lawrence Burke was an American character actor of stage, film, and television whose career in entertainment spanned over a half century.

Walter Burke was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City to Irish immigrant parents Bedelia and Thomas Burke.

Walter Burke's father bred trotting horses, with one farm each in Ireland and Scotland.

Walter Burke then joined the American Opera Company's troupe in January 1928, performing a non-singing role in an English-language adaption of Faust.

Walter Burke continued with that company through January 1930, taking part in adaptions of Madame Butterfly and Yolanda of Cyprus at the Casino Theatre.

Walter Burke debuted in Hollywood films in 1948, with The Naked City, and the following year had a memorable role in the Oscar-winning film All the King's Men.

Walter Burke would appear in twenty-two more films, and three more Broadway productions, but both film and the stage would soon take a backseat to his television work.

In 1951, Walter Burke played a jockey in the early television series Martin Kane.

Walter Burke portrayed defendant Freddie Green in CBS's Perry Mason in the 1959 episode, "The Case of the Jaded Joker," the first of five appearances in diverse roles.

Walter Burke guest-starred as Hatfield in the 1961 episode "The Drought" of the syndicated western series Two Faces West.

Walter Burke played a magician called "Zeno the Great" in a 1965 episode of Bewitched entitled "It's Magic".

Walter Burke portrayed Alfred Swanson in the 1965 episode "Movie Star Munster" of the television series, The Munsters.

Walter Burke appeared on an episode of Lost in Space, playing Mr OM.

Walter Burke performed as well in the Western series The Virginian, portraying the character Billy Neal in the 1970 episode "The Gift".

Walter Burke married Kathryn Patricia Rooney in 1937 and they had four children, Catherine, Margaret, Deborah and Leslie.