Raymond Burr

Raymond William Stacey Burr (May 21, 1917 - September 12, 1993) was an actor. He was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, and it is not known if he ever took out U.S. citizenship.

He is best known for his portrayal of defense attorney Perry Mason in the 1950s series of the same name and the several television movies that followed, and of the paralyzed Detective Robert Ironside in the television series Ironside.

Perhaps his greatest film role was that of the wife-murderer in Rear Window, although he is also known for the English-language inserts into the American version of the movie Godzilla, King of the Monsters.

Raymond Burr died on September 12, 1993 in Sonoma, California and was interred in the Fraser Cemetery, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. "Outed" as a homosexual shortly before his death and afterwards, it became known that two of his 3 reported marriages, as well as a dead (only) child, were invented not real.

Raymond Burr has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6656 Hollywood Blvd.

The Raymond Burr Performing Arts Centre (opened in October 2000) not only very proudly bears his name but is situated in the town of his birth (and final resting place), very close to a city block bearing the family name of 'Burr'. At present a 238 seat intimate theatre, the goal is to become a 650 seat regional performing arts facility.

A couple of small pieces of trivia: since the theatre began producing plays, it has been the custom always to have a picture of Raymond Burr included somwhere on each set, and the first toast on the opening night of every production is always dedicated to his memory.