Raymond Burr
Raymond Burr (May 21, 1917 – September 12, 1993) was a Canadian actor celebrated for his iconic television roles as Perry Mason and Ironside. This article explores his upbringing, acting journey, recognitions, complex personal life, and enduring influence.
Introduction
Raymond William Stacy Burr remains one of television’s most enduring figures. A Canadian-born actor who crossed into Hollywood stardom, Burr is best known for portraying the compelling defense attorney Perry Mason and, later, the wheelchair-bound detective Robert Ironside. Over a career spanning five decades, he became a household name while also cultivating passions off-screen—orchids, vineyards, philanthropy—and leaving behind a legacy full of both achievement and mystery.
Early Life and Family
Raymond Burr was born on May 21, 1917, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
When Burr was about six years old, his parents divorced. Vallejo, California, where she raised them with help from her parents.
Burr’s early years included stories of varied experience—some of which later proved hard to verify. He claimed that as a youth he spent time working as a ranch hand in New Mexico, and even briefly worked in China when his family lived abroad.
He attended school in California (including in Berkeley) and later worked various jobs, such as in radio, to support his family.
Acting Career & Breakthroughs
Early Stage, Radio & Film Work
Burr’s acting journey was gradual but persistent. He participated in repertory theatre in Canada (Toronto) and performed on Broadway and in radio.
His film career began in earnest after World War II, often portraying villains in film noir. Rear Window (1954) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, where he plays a suspicious character. Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) and later reprised in Godzilla 1985.
Throughout the 1950s, Burr also worked on radio dramas and television, gradually building visibility.
Perry Mason & Television Stardom
The turning point in Burr’s career came when he landed the role of Perry Mason in 1957, a legal drama based on Erle Stanley Gardner’s novels. 1957 to 1966, and Burr’s portrayal of the steadfast, invariably successful defense attorney became iconic. Outstanding Lead Actor (1959 and 1961).
In later years, he reprised Perry Mason in a series of made-for-TV films (1985–1993).
Ironside & Later Television Roles
Following Perry Mason, Burr starred in another hit TV series: Ironside (1967–1975), where he portrayed a detective confined to a wheelchair after being shot.
He continued acting in TV movies, specials, and occasional film roles into the early 1990s.
Recognition & Impact
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Burr was ranked No. 44 in TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time in 1996 (posthumously).
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He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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After his death, in 2009 he was honored with a Canadian Legends Award and placed on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
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In Canada’s cultural record, he is remembered as one of the few Canadian actors to achieve such sustained success in U.S. television.
His portrayal of Perry Mason shaped public perceptions of trial lawyers and legal dramas for generations, and his name and persona continue to echo in popular culture.
Personal Life & Controversies
Burr’s personal life contained many carefully controlled or disputed elements:
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He married Isabella “Bella” Ward in 1948; they divorced in 1952.
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From 1960 until his death, his long-term companion was Robert Benevides, who eventually became executor of his estate.
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Burr concealed his sexual orientation during his lifetime. Only after his death did public commentary firmly acknowledge that he was homosexual.
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Over the years, many biographical assertions by Burr proved difficult or impossible to verify: claims of military service in the U.S. Navy, of multiple marriages, and that he had a son who died young.
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On the more public side, Burr cultivated interests beyond acting. He and Benevides ran an orchid business and later a vineyard in California.
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He was also an active philanthropist: he financially supported children through foster programs, donated to museums, and supported educational institutions.
These dimensions make Burr’s life both compelling and enigmatic.
Illness & Death
In February 1993, Burr underwent surgery to remove a kidney tumor (renal cell carcinoma). September 12, 1993, at his ranch in Sonoma County, California, at the age of 76. Fraser Cemetery, New Westminster, alongside family.
Legacy & Influence
Raymond Burr’s legacy is multifaceted:
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Television icon. His performances in Perry Mason and Ironside remain archetypal roles in the genre of legal and crime drama.
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Cultural imprint. Many legal dramas that followed pay homage to the framework established by the courtroom drama style Burr perfected.
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Trail for Canadian actors. His success in American television demonstrated a pathway for Canadian talent into Hollywood.
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Private life as social commentary. Burr’s concealment of his private life speaks to how norms and pressures shaped public figures of his era.
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Philanthropy & stewardship. That he used his wealth for social causes, supported the arts, and nurtured other interests adds depth to how he is remembered.