TMI (Today’s Movie Info)
RAYMOND BURR starred in two long-running TV series: “Perry Mason” (1957-66) and “Ironside” (1967-75). He also had recurring roles on “The Red Skelton Hour” (1963-70). Many also remember his Lars Thorwald as the murder suspect at the other end of James Stewart‘s binoculars in Alfred Hitchcock‘s classic Rear Window (1954).
Burr went on to star in a slew of made-for-TV Perry Mason movies in the 1980’s and 90’s, the last two of which aired in 1993 … the same year he died of liver cancer.
Burr had been considered for the role of Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke”, but the producers deemed his weight to be unacceptable for the role. He also appeared in Godzilla (1977).
Burr had served in the Navy at Okinawa during WWII and was sent home after being shot.
Though Burr was once married for four years, his official SAG biography listed another marriage and a child (each of whom had supposedly died). This fabrication was to cover up the fact that he was gay and had a life partner of 35 years at the time of his death.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 