Raymond Burr Movies and Career Information

Raymond William Stacey Burr (May 21, 1917 – September 12, 1993) was a Canadian actor, primarily known for his title roles in the television dramas Perry Mason and Ironside. His early acting career included roles on Broadway, radio, television and in film, usually as the villain. He won two Emmy Awards in 1959 and 1961 for the role of Perry Mason, which he played for nine seasons between 1957 and 1966. His second hit series, Ironside, earned him six Emmy nominations, and two Golden Globe nominations. In addition to acting, Burr owned an orchid business and had begun to grow a vineyard. He was a collector of wines and art, and was fond of cooking. After his death from cancer in 1993, Burr's personal life came into question as details of his known biography appeared to be unverifiable. Gradually, it was revealed that Burr had possibly contrived a life story that hid his homosexuality. He was born Raymond William Stacey Burr in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada to William Johnston Burr (1889–1985), an Irish hardware salesman, and his wife Minerva (née Smith, 1892–1974), a concert pianist and music teacher (who is of English and Scottish descent). Burr spent part of his