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.
Acted in 166
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
- 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Horse Handler (uncredited) · 1 episode
The Unholy Wife
Sheriff Tom Watling
Public Pigeon No. 1
Harrigan
- 1955
- 1954
Lucky Me
Mahoney
- 1952
Denver and Rio Grande
Sheriff Ed Johnson
- 1951
Here Comes the Groom
O'Neill, Policeman
Raton Pass
Hank
- 1950
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
The Train Conductor
Let's Dance
George (uncredited)
1940s
- 1949
Red, Hot and Blue
Doorman (uncredited)
Alias Nick Beal
Bum
Shamrock Hill
Michael Rogan
- 1948
Night Wind
Sheriff Hamilton
Beyond Glory
Jim, the Bartender (uncredited)
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Cop (uncredited)
The Timber Trail
Jed Baker
- 1947
The Gas House Kids in Hollywood
Police Lt. Burke
Down to Earth
Detective Kelly
Philo Vance's Gamble
Lt. Burke
Easy Come, Easy Go
Harry Weston
California
Pokey
- 1946
Bowery Bombshell
Detective O'Malley
The Virginian
Andy Jones (uncredited)
Young Widow
Motorcycle Cop (Uncredited)
- 1945
How DOooo You Do
Detective
I Love a Bandleader
Charles Gibley
Shady Lady
Crane
- 1944
3 Men in White
First Policeman (uncredited)
- 1943
Riding High
Pete
Dixie
Riverboat Captain (uncredited)
No Place for a Lady
Police Substation Chief Moriarty
- 1942
A Night to Remember
Pat Murphy (uncredited)
Army Surgeon
Brooklyn
Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen
Police Sergeant Velie
It Happened in Flatbush
Umpire Shaunnessy
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
Sgt. Velie
My Favorite Blonde
Union Secretary
A Close Call for Ellery Queen
Sgt. Velie
- 1941
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring
Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
Sgt. Velie
Million Dollar Baby
Callahan
Reaching for the Sun
Norm
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery
Sergeant Velie
- 1940
Ellery Queen, Master Detective
Sgt. Velle
Little Nellie Kelly
Sergeant McGowan
No Time for Comedy
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Golden Fleecing
Sibley
The Way of All Flesh
Frisco
The Saint Takes Over
Patrolman Mike
Buck Benny Rides Again
Taxi Driver
Opened by Mistake
Police Sergeant Wilkins
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise
Wilkie, house detective
Double Alibi
Police Captain Orr
1930s
- 1939
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Pop Saunders
Fast and Furious
Clancy
I'm from Missouri
Walt Bliss
Sudden Money
McPherson
The Family Next Door
Policeman
Within the Law
'Red'
The Saint Strikes Back
Headquarters Police Officer
- 1938
The Dawn Patrol
Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver
The Mad Miss Manton
Sullivan
The Affairs of Annabel
Muldoon
Men with Wings
J.A. Nolan
Joy of Living
Mac
Flight Into Nowhere
Ike Matthews
- 1937
The Perfect Specimen
Constable Snodgrass
Life Begins with Love
Darby McGraw
High, Wide and Handsome
Stackpole
Champagne Waltz
Mr. Scribner
- 1936
Laughing at Trouble
Bill Norton
Great Guy
Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
Can This Be Dixie?
Sheriff N.B.F. Rider
36 Hours to Kill
Doyle - Process Server
Rhythm on the Range
Wabash
Forgotten Faces
Sgt. Johnny Donovan / Harry's friend
Song and Dance Man
Lt. Mike Boyle
The Leathernecks Have Landed
Corrigan
Dancing Feet
Phil Moore
- 1935
Frisco Waterfront
Corrigan
Coronado
Slug Moran
Hot Money
Police Sgt. Burke
Music Is Magic
Mickey (uncredited)
The Case of the Missing Man
Police Sergeant Rorty
The Affair of Susan
Hogan
Here Comes Cookie
Broken-Nose Reilly
Welcome Home
Michael Shaughnessy
Call of the Wild
Ole
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Patrolman
Broadway Gondolier
Uncle Andy
Make a Million
Pete
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Man Hauling Rifles and Bullets
After the Dance
Police Lieutenant
Dinky
Truck Driver
Mississippi
Skeptical Passenger in Pilot House (uncredited)
The Mystery Man
Managing Editor Marvin
- 1934
Ticket to a Crime
Detective Lt. John Aloysius McGinnis
Love Time
Emperor Francis I
Lady by Choice
Brannigan
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
Policeman Arresting Wynn
Such Women Are Dangerous
Detective
Little Miss Marker
Detective Reardon (uncredited)
The Merry Frinks
3rd Expressman (uncredited)
Sadie McKee
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
A Very Honorable Guy
Sergeant
City Limits
King, a Hobo
Wharf Angel
Brooklyn Jack
Gambling Lady
Detective Making Raid (uncredited)
Six of a Kind
Detective (uncredited)
Queen Christina
Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
All of Me
Welfare Island Guard (uncredited)
- 1933
The Bowery
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Torch Singer
Taxi Driver
College Humor
Cromwell Dexter
The Girl in 419
Detective Jackson
A Lady's Profession
Mulroy
Face in the Sky
Cop (uncredited)
Appearances2
1970s
- 1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
- 1974
