George Joseph Burns (born March 13, 1918 – July 17, 2007) was an American

character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...

. He is known mostly for playing Pat Chambers on the 1959 '' Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer'' television show and for numerous appearances on American television series, such as ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

''. He was also featured on the television show Dragnet as a purse snatcher with the help of trained dogs.

Early life

The son of a

New York City Police Department The City of New York Police Department, also referred to as New York City Police Department (NYPD), is the primary law enforcement agency within New York City. Established on May 23, 1845, the NYPD is the largest, and one of the oldest, munic ...

inspector Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it. Australia The rank of Inspector is present in all Australian police forces excep ...

, Burns attended

Cornell University Cornell University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson W ...

and

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Burns enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was a captain and company commander of "A" Company First Battalion 25th Marines and was awarded the Silver Star Medal. Captain Burns located an enemy strongpoint and personally guided a tank to destroy the emplacement. Burns's two brothers were also captains, one in the army and one in the Marine Corps.

Acting career

In 1947 Burns changed his first name to avoid confusion with comedian George Burns. He made his Broadway debut in the original production of '' Mister Roberts'' alongside Henry Fonda. Burns began appearing on American television in 1953 including appearing in the original 1954 television broadcast of '' Twelve Angry Men''. During his acting career he befriended

Ernest Borgnine Ernest Borgnine ( ; born Ermes Effron Borgnino; January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American actor whose career spanned over six decades. He was noted for his gruff but relaxed voice and gap-toothed Cheshire Cat grin. A popular perf ...

where he supervised Ernest repainting scenery. Borgnine recalled that during the 1950s Burns was rejected from the lead of a show, eventually finding out it was due to his befriending suspected communists. Burns brought his medals and captains bars to the producers and shouted "Does this look like I'm a goddammned communist?" He did not get the part. Burns made his motion picture debut in the 1956 war film '' Between Heaven and Hell''. He also wrote several of the ''Kilroy'' episodes of '' The Wonderful World of Color'' for

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...

Death

Burns died in 2007 in Los Angeles, California. He was buried in

Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary is a cemetery and Morgue, mortuary located in the Westwood, Los Angeles, Westwood area of Los Angeles. It includes a crematory for cremation services. Its location is at 1218 Glendon Av ...

and was survived by his wife Fern; three sons Brendan, Timothy and Sean; daughter Siobhan and a granddaughter.Wilson, Scott. ''Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons'', 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Partial filmography

*1954: '' Studio One'' - " Twelve Angry Men" (TV episode) - Juror No. 6 *1956: '' Between Heaven and Hell'' – Private Raker – Company G *1957: ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (Season 2 Episode 31: "The Night the World Ended") - Nick the Bartender *1957: '' Fear Strikes Out'' – Joe Cronin (uncredited) *1957-1958: '' Official Detective'' (TV Series) – Donahue *1957: '' The Walter Winchell File'' (1957, Episode: "The Law and Aaron Benjamin") – Berliss Posada *1960: '' Tall Story'' – District Attorney Davis *1961: '' Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series)'' Season 3 Episode 19 (''Epitaph'') – Sheriff Walt Sommers *1962: '' The Alfred Hitchcock Hour'' (Season 1 Episode 5: "Captive Audience") - Summers *1964: '' Seven Days in May'' – Secret Service Director Corwin *1969: '' Number One'' – Ed Davis *1970: '' There Was a Crooked Man...'' – Dr. Loomis *1971: '' Earth II'' (TV Movie) – Steiner *1973: '' The Iceman Cometh'' – Lieb *1974: '' The Nickel Ride'' – Elias *1976: '' Helter Skelter'' – Frank Fowles *1980: ''Seed of Innocence'' – Ray Crocker *1982: ''

Frances Frances is an English given name or last name of Latin origin. In Latin the meaning of the name Frances is 'from France' or 'the French.' The male version of the name in English is Francis (given name), Francis. The original Franciscus, meaning "F ...

'' – Ernest Farmer *1983: ''Money to Burn'' – Bank Guard *1986: '' Legal Eagles'' – Judge #1 *1988: ''

Fear Fear is an unpleasant emotion that arises in response to perception, perceived dangers or threats. Fear causes physiological and psychological changes. It may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the ...

'' – Link Reilley (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Burns, Bart 1918 births 2007 deaths Male actors from New York City American male film actors American male television actors United States Marine Corps officers Recipients of the Silver Star Cornell University alumni United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II 20th-century American male actors Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery American male stage actors