Snapshots in History: May 21: Remembering Raymond Burr
On
May 21 and beyond, let us take a moment to reflect upon the life of
Canadian-born actor Raymond
Burr (Born: May 21, 1917; Died: September 12, 1993). Burr was best known
for his portrayal of Perry Mason
(winning 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor – Drama Series in 1959 and
1961) and Ironside
(earning 6 Emmy nominations and 2 Golden Globe nominations) on television. Burr
was heavily involved in charitable work and supported various causes including
the Foster Paren'ts’ Plan, Save the Children, and the United Service
Organizations. Upon his death, many people learned that Raymond Burr was gay
and had left his estate to long-time partner Robert Benevides. Those customers
wishing to learn more about Raymond Burr can request the following title from
Toronto Public Library collections:
Hiding
in plain sight: the secret life of Raymond Burr / Michael Starr, 2008.
Book. Adult Non-Fiction.
Contrast Perry Mason’s
search for the truth in the courtroom with actor Raymond Burr’s desire to maintain
and conceal his private life by inventing his service in World War Two, two
imaginary marriages (following one real but brief one), and a deceased but
imaginary son. Try and sift through the fact from the fiction.
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