James Burke
Acting • Born 1886-09-23 – Died 1968-05-23
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Burke (September 24, 1886 – May 23, 1968) was an American film and television actor born in New York City. He made his stage debut in New York around 1912 and went to Hollywood in 1933. He made over 200 film appearances during his career, which ranged from 1932 to 1964; he was more often than not cast as a cop, usually a none-too-bright one, most notably as Sgt. Velie in Columbia's Ellery Queen mysteries in the early 1940s. He appeared in The Maltese Falcon, At the Circus, Lone Star, and many others. One of his best roles was as Charles Ruggles' rowdy rancher pal in Ruggles of Red Gap. In the early 1950s, Burke appeared with Tom Conway in the ABC detective drama series then called Inspector Mark Saber -- Homicide Detective, later renamed, reformatted, and switched to NBC under the title Saber of London. From 1960-1961, Burke appeared in the role of Zeke Bonner in seven episodes of the ABC western television series Stagecoach West, starring Wayne Rogers, Robert Bray, and Richard Eyer. Burke suffered from a heart condition, which took his life at the age of eighty-one.
Filmography
173 credits
The Maltese Falcon
Movie • 1941
Luke
The Big Clock
Movie • 1948
O'Brien
Public Pigeon No. 1
Movie • 1957
Harrigan
We're Not Married!
Movie • 1952
Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)
At the Circus
Movie • 1939
John Carter
Bombshell
Movie • 1933
First Immigration Officer (uncredited)
Lucky Me
Movie • 1954
Mahoney
Welcome Home
Movie • 1935
Michael Shaughnessy
Lady Killer
Movie • 1933
Panhandler (uncredited)
Dead End
Movie • 1937
Mulligan
Beau Geste
Movie • 1939
Lieutenant Dufour
All Through the Night
Movie • 1942
Police Lt. Forbes
36 Hours to Kill
Movie • 1936
Doyle - Process Server
Toughest Man in Arizona
Movie • 1952
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise
Movie • 1940
Wilkie, house detective
The Horn Blows at Midnight
Movie • 1945
Policeman (uncredited)
Great Guy
Movie • 1936
Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
Bowery Bombshell
Movie • 1946
Detective O'Malley
Body and Soul
Movie • 1947
Arnold (uncredited)
The Dawn Patrol
Movie • 1938
Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver
Such Women Are Dangerous
Movie • 1934
Detective
The Saint Strikes Back
Movie • 1939
Headquarters Police Officer
A Close Call for Ellery Queen
Movie • 1942
Sgt. Velie
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
Movie • 1942
Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring
Movie • 1941
Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
Movie • 1941
Sgt. Velie
Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen
Movie • 1942
Police Sergeant Velie
Ellery Queen, Master Detective
Movie • 1940
Sgt. Velle
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery
Movie • 1941
Sgt. Velie
Philo Vance's Gamble
Movie • 1947
Lt. Burke
Love Time
Movie • 1934
Emperor Francis I
The Saint Takes Over
Movie • 1940
Patrolman Mike
Little Miss Marker
Movie • 1934
Detective Reardon (uncredited)
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Movie • 1935
Patrolman
A Night to Remember
Movie • 1942
Pat Murphy (uncredited)
Million Dollar Baby
Movie • 1941
Callahan
My Favorite Blonde
Movie • 1942
Union Secretary
Six of a Kind
Movie • 1934
Detective (uncredited)
Warpath
Movie • 1951
Oldtimer
The Last Outpost
Movie • 1951
Stagecoach driver (uncredited)
The Golden Fleecing
Movie • 1940
Sibley
College Humor
Movie • 1933
Cromwell Dexter
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Movie • 1939
Pop Saunders
Raton Pass
Movie • 1951
Hank
The Scarlet Empress
Movie • 1934
Here Comes Cookie
Movie • 1935
Broken-Nose Reilly
Ticket to a Crime
Movie • 1934
Detective Lt. John Aloysius McGinnis
Dinky
Movie • 1935
Truck Driver
Easy Come, Easy Go
Movie • 1947
Harry Weston
Men with Wings
Movie • 1938
J.A. Nolan
You Can't Take It with You
Movie • 1938
Chief Detective (uncredited)
So Red the Rose
Movie • 1935
Major Rushton
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Movie • 1948
Cop (uncredited)
Let's Dance
Movie • 1950
George (uncredited)
Casanova Brown
Movie • 1944
O'Leary (uncredited)
On Borrowed Time
Movie • 1939
Sheriff Burlingame
The Perfect Specimen
Movie • 1937
Constable Snodgrass
Anchors Aweigh
Movie • 1945
Studio Cop
Two Years Before the Mast
Movie • 1946
Carrick
To the Last Man
Movie • 1933
Kentucky Sheriff (uncredited)
Joy of Living
Movie • 1938
Mac
June Bride
Movie • 1948
Luke Potter
The Mad Miss Manton
Movie • 1938
Sullivan
Call of the Wild
Movie • 1935
Ole
Shamrock Hill
Movie • 1949
Michael Rogan
Hot Money
Movie • 1935
Police Sgt. Burke
The Affair of Susan
Movie • 1935
Hogan
Treasure Island
Movie • 1934
Pirate of the Spanish Main
High, Wide and Handsome
Movie • 1937
Stackpole
The Mystery Man
Movie • 1935
Managing Editor Marvin
Lone Star
Movie • 1952
Luther Kilgore
Lady by Choice
Movie • 1934
Brannigan
Down to Earth
Movie • 1947
Detective Kelly
Army Surgeon
Movie • 1942
Brooklyn
The Affairs of Annabel
Movie • 1938
Muldoon
A Very Honorable Guy
Movie • 1934
Sergeant
Dixie
Movie • 1943
Riverboat Captain (uncredited)
After the Dance
Movie • 1935
Police Lieutenant
Broadway Gondolier
Movie • 1935
Uncle Andy
The Family Next Door
Movie • 1939
Policeman
City Limits
Movie • 1934
King, a Hobo
Music Is Magic
Movie • 1935
Mickey (uncredited)
Dancing Feet
Movie • 1936
Phil Moore
I Love a Bandleader
Movie • 1945
Charles Gibley
Laughing at Trouble
Movie • 1936
Bill Norton
Face in the Sky
Movie • 1933
Cop (uncredited)
The Unholy Wife
Movie • 1957
Sheriff Tom Watling
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
Movie • 1934
Policeman Arresting Wynn
Within the Law
Movie • 1939
'Red'
Dodge City
Movie • 1939
Cattle Auctioneer (uncredited)
Fast and Furious
Movie • 1939
Clancy
It Happened One Night
Movie • 1934
Detective (uncredited)
Song and Dance Man
Movie • 1936
Lt. Mike Boyle
Make a Million
Movie • 1935
Pete
Klondike Annie
Movie • 1936
The Timber Trail
Movie • 1948
Jed Baker
The Virginian
Movie • 1946
Andy Jones (uncredited)
3 Men in White
Movie • 1944
First Policeman (uncredited)
Beyond Glory
Movie • 1948
Jim, the Bartender (uncredited)
Denver and Rio Grande
Movie • 1952
Sheriff Ed Johnson
It Happened in Flatbush
Movie • 1942
Umpire Shaunnessy
The Leathernecks Have Landed
Movie • 1936
Corrigan
Buck Benny Rides Again
Movie • 1940
Taxi Driver
Shady Lady
Movie • 1945
Crane
The Gas House Kids in Hollywood
Movie • 1947
Police Lt. Burke
Queen Christina
Movie • 1934
Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
A Lady's Profession
Movie • 1933
Mulroy
Coronado
Movie • 1935
Slug Moran
Flight Into Nowhere
Movie • 1938
Ike Matthews
Little Nellie Kelly
Movie • 1940
Sergeant McGowan
No Time for Comedy
Movie • 1940
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Red, Hot and Blue
Movie • 1949
Doorman (uncredited)
The Way of All Flesh
Movie • 1940
Frisco
Champagne Waltz
Movie • 1937
Mr. Scribner
California
Movie • 1947
Pokey
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Movie • 1943
Bill, Intern Guard (uncredited)
Gambling Lady
Movie • 1934
Detective Making Raid (uncredited)
Rhythm on the Range
Movie • 1936
Wabash
The Girl in 419
Movie • 1933
Detective Jackson
All of Me
Movie • 1934
Welfare Island Guard (uncredited)
Copper Canyon
Movie • 1950
Jeb Bassett
How DOooo You Do
Movie • 1945
Detective
Ruggles of Red Gap
Movie • 1935
Jeff Tuttle
Little Orphan Annie
Movie • 1938
Mike Moriarty
Double Alibi
Movie • 1940
Police Captain Orr
Frisco Waterfront
Movie • 1935
Corrigan
Sudden Money
Movie • 1939
McPherson
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Movie • 1975
Self (archive footage)
Life Begins with Love
Movie • 1937
Darby McGraw
Song of the Thin Man
Movie • 1947
Policeman Callahan (uncredited)
Night Wind
Movie • 1948
Sheriff Hamilton
Alias Nick Beal
Movie • 1949
Bum
Twentieth Century
Movie • 1934
Sheriff (uncredited)
No Place for a Lady
Movie • 1943
Police Substation Chief Moriarty
Reaching for the Sun
Movie • 1941
Norm
Torch Singer
Movie • 1933
Taxi Driver
Wharf Angel
Movie • 1934
Brooklyn Jack
The Kennel Murder Case
Movie • 1933
Policeman Who Lets Dog Out (uncredited)
Alias Jesse James
Movie • 1959
Charlie (uncredited)
The Merry Frinks
Movie • 1934
3rd Expressman (uncredited)
Riding High
Movie • 1943
Pete
Pot o' Gold
Movie • 1941
Lt. Grady
Opened by Mistake
Movie • 1940
Police Sergeant Wilkins
Young Widow
Movie • 1946
Motorcycle Cop (Uncredited)
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
Movie • 1950
The Train Conductor
Case of the Missing Man
Movie • 1935
Police Sergeant Rorty
Nightmare Alley
Movie • 1947
Rural Marshal (uncredited)
Can This Be Dixie?
Movie • 1936
Sheriff N.B.F. Rider
Sadie McKee
Movie • 1934
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
Forgotten Faces
Movie • 1936
Sgt. Johnny Donovan / Harry's friend
Mississippi
Movie • 1935
Skeptical Passenger in Pilot House (uncredited)
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Movie • 1935
Man Hauling Rifles and Bullets
His Kind of Woman
Movie • 1951
Barkeeper in Nogales (uncredited)
Here Comes the Groom
Movie • 1951
O'Neill, Policeman
The Hollywood Handicap
Movie • 1932
I'm from Missouri
Movie • 1939
Walt Bliss
The Bowery
Movie • 1933
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Sisters Under the Skin
Movie • 1934
Conroy
Cheyenne
TV • 1955
Buckshot
Trackdown
TV • 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TV • 1957
Horse Handler (uncredited)
I Love Lucy
TV • 1951
Mr. Watson
Lassie
TV • 1954
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TV • 1958
My Little Margie
TV • 1952
The 20th Century Fox Hour
TV • 1955
Wanted: Dead or Alive
TV • 1958
Sheriff John Tatum
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
TV • 1959
Policeman
Wanted: Dead or Alive
TV • 1958
Sheriff M. Comstock
Wanted: Dead or Alive
TV • 1958
Sheriff Blore
Dinah!
TV • 1974
Self
Stagecoach West
TV • 1960
James Burke
Stagecoach West
TV • 1960
Zeke Bonner