Actor Burr Raymond is known for his role in the cult series on the lawyer Perry Mason. The film was shot based on a series of short stories by E. Gardner. The series was filmed several times, but the picture with Burr is considered the most successful version.
Brief Biographical Information
Raymond William Stacy Burr was born in Canada in 1917. Mom - Minerva Smith, worked as a music teacher. William Johnston, father, was a salesman. When he was engaged in trade, the family spent several years in China.
After the parents divorced, mom with Ray and his brother and sister moved to California. Burr in his youth was looking for his way. He studied at a military academy, at courses at Stanford, at a local university.
As a teenager, Ray first performed on the theatrical stage of Vancouver. Mother did not like her son's hobby for acting, and she sent him to a ranch in New Mexico. Burr was tall and strong beyond his years, so no one was surprised that he joined the student group and with it got into various kinds of stories.
Theater and Cinema
Like many actors of that period, Burr Raymond began his professional career with Broadway productions. In 1941, he participated in the play "Crazy Heart". And almost immediately concludes a contract with one of the television studios. After that, small movie roles followed.
The first film with the participation of the actor was the drama "Desperate" in 1947. Then there are small episodes in the films "Merciless", "Gorilla Bride" and the thriller "Scream in the Night", where Raymond Burr and Natalie Wood play together.
In 1956, the movie "Godzilla" was released with Burr, who played Martin. After almost 30 years, the actor again participated in the modified version of Godzilla.
Over a 10-year period, Burr Raymond starred in more than 60 films. Most of this work was made up of villain characters.
The most important role in the life of the actor happened in 1957, when he was invited to star in the role of Perry Mason in the eponymous series based on the book by E. Gardner. Work in the project lasted for almost 10 years.
In the period 1985-1993. he again played the intellectual attorney in the continuation of the original series. Brutal, with a penetrating gaze, Burr, like no one else, was able to get used to the role and show Perry Mason's inner world as Gardner described him.
This long work earned Raymond two Emmy Awards. And in 1960, the actor was awarded a star on the famous Walk of Fame.
Eight more nominations for prestigious awards brought Berra a role in the television movie Ironside.
Personal life
Burr Raymond led a busy personal life. Annette Sutherland - the very first and beloved wife, was also an actress. In the military year of 1943, she went on tour to Spain. Her plane was shot down by the Germans. Young people lived together for about a year.
Secondarily, Ray married actress Isabelle Ward. By virtue of the profession, they have not seen each other for months. After several years, they divorced peacefully.
Laura Morgan was the third wife, and also not for long. After several years of marriage, she died of cancer. And two years before this event, Ray's only son, Michael Evan, also died from leukemia. He was 10 years old.
The actor himself also died from kidney cancer in 1993. The disease was discovered after an injury on the set of Perry Mason. After almost 5 months, Burra was gone.
Naughty Details
The truly great and tragic life of Raymond Burr has always been filled with various rumors and speculations.
In 1956, the press attributed to him an affair with 17-year-old Natalie Wood. But these rumors had a positive effect on the rental of the film, in which they both starred.
After the death of the actor, information appeared that Ray had no son, as well as the first and last wives. During the life of Burra, many claimed that the actor was fond of men. His close friend, Robert Benevides, lived on the estate of Ray for many years. And it was to him that the actor left his money, while ignoring his own sister. I must say that most of the money Ray gave to charity. I handed out a certain amount to my close friends.
Whatever the love affair of this man, Raymond Burr, whose films and roles many know and remember, is deservedly considered a talented actor. He made his contribution to world cinema.
In life, Raymond simply loved to breed orchids. He was also a connoisseur of good wine and antiques. He was fond of sailing, in his spare time he preferred to cook or fish.
His love of books helped develop an excellent memory, which he used for teaching at the University of Columbia in acting classes.