Years active 1932-1964 | Name James Burke Role Actor | |
 | ||
Spouse Eleanor Durkin (m. ?–1957) Movies and TV shows Similar People Alexander Hall, Norman Z McLeod, John G Blystone, John Farrow, Friedrich Hollaender | ||
Occupation Film, television actor | ||
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
Actor
1962
The Law and Mr. Jones (TV Series) as
Carney
- The Walkout (1962) - Carney
1961
Lassie (TV Series) as
Mr. Jensen / Conductor
- Lassie's Good Deed (1962) - Mr. Jensen
- The Trip (1961) - Conductor
1960
Stagecoach West (TV Series) as
Zeke Bonner
- The Marker (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Renegades (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Swindler (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Orphans (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Bold Whip (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Raider (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- House of Violence (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Outcasts (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- The Root of Evil (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- Not in Our Stars (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- Finn McCool (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- Come Home Again (1961) - Zeke Bonner
- By the Deep Six (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- Three Wise Men (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- The Storm (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- The Saga of Jeremy Boone (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- A Time to Run (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- The Unwanted (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- Dark Return (1960) - Zeke Bonner
- The Land Beyond (1960) - Zeke Bonner
1960
The DuPont Show with June Allyson (TV Series) as
Policeman
- Once Upon a Knight (1960) - Policeman
1958
Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV Series) as
Sheriff Blore / Sheriff M. Comstock / Sheriff John Tatum
- Chain Gang (1959) - Sheriff Blore
- Call Your Shot (1959) - Sheriff M. Comstock
- The Bounty (1958) - Sheriff John Tatum
1958
Wagon Train (TV Series) as
Mr. Harrison / Ance Beal
- The Greenhorn Story (1959) - Mr. Harrison
- The Jesse Cowan Story (1958) - Ance Beal
1957
Tales of Wells Fargo (TV Series) as
Silver Logan / Billy Knapp
- The Bounty Hunter (1959) - Silver Logan
- Two Cartridges (1957) - Billy Knapp
1959
The Young Philadelphians as
Police Officer Barney Flanagan (uncredited)
1959
Playhouse 90 (TV Series) as
The Janitor
- A Marriage of Strangers (1959) - The Janitor
1959
Trackdown (TV Series) as
Levi
- Gift Horse (1959) - Levi
1959
Alias Jesse James as
Charlie (uncredited)
1958
Hey, Jeannie! (TV Series) as
Sheriff
- The Rainmaker (1958) - Sheriff
1958
Knock on Every Door (Short) as
Harry Emmerson
1958
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) as
Penson
- The Crazy Hunter (1958) - Penson
1954
The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) as
Clancy the Cop / Navy captain / Captain in U.S. Navy / ...
- Freddie and the Turkey Dinner (1958) - Clancy the Cop
- The Atomic Sailor (1956) - Navy captain
- Desert Island (1956) - Captain in U.S. Navy
- Cookie Returns or Cookie in Korea (1956) - Captain
- George Resists Girls (1956) - Bob Appleby - George's Father
- The Cop and the Anthem (1955) - 2nd Policeman (as Jim Burke)
- Smithers & McGurk Go To Australia (1955) - Ship's Captain
- The Cop and the Anthem (1954) - Second Policeman (as Jim Burke)
1958
The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (TV Series) as
Horse Handler
- Lucy Wins a Race Horse (1958) - Horse Handler (uncredited)
1957
The Unholy Wife as
Sheriff Tom Watling
1957
Public Pigeon No. 1 as
Harrigan
1957
The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna (TV Series)
- The Blarney Stone (1957)
1956
The 20th Century-Fox Hour (TV Series) as
Mr. Tuttle
- The Moneymaker (1956) - Mr. Tuttle
1956
Back from Eternity as
Grimsby, Airline Manager (uncredited)
1956
The Birds and the Bees as
Steward (uncredited)
1956
Passport to Danger (TV Series)
- Zamboanga (1956)
1955
Cheyenne (TV Series) as
Buckshot
- Border Showdown (1955) - Buckshot
1955
You're Never Too Young as
Pullman Conductor (uncredited)
1955
Shower of Stars (TV Series)
- Burlesque (1955)
1954
The Life of Riley (TV Series) as
Duke / Officer Dooley
- Come Back, Little Junior (1955) - Duke
- Destination Brooklyn (1954) - Officer Dooley
-1954
Duffy's Tavern (TV Series) as
Clancy
- Archie The Detective (1954) - Clancy
- Archie the Peacemaker (1954) - Clancy
- Gems from the Diamond Country - Clancy
- Archie the Politician
- Archie the Ex-Coward - Clancy
- Episode #1.38 - Clancy
1954
I Love Lucy (TV Series) as
Mr. Watson
- The Diner (1954) - Mr. Watson
1954
Lucky Me as
Mahoney
1954
My Little Margie (TV Series) as
Policeman
- Margie Babysits (1954) - Policeman
1951
Mark Saber (TV Series) as
Sgt. Tim Maloney / Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney / Det. Sgt. Tim Malony / ...
- The Case of the Triple Murders (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Fatal Ruby (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Chamber of Death (1953) - Det. Sgt. Tim Malony
- The Case of the Dead Man's Puzzle (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Fire of Death (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Hanging Husband (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Door of Death (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Japanese Knife (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Fashions of Death (1953) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Mouse (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Murderous Music Box (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Lost Face (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Eccentric Heiress (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Midnight Murder (1952) - Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Wrestler's Corpse (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Hair of the Dog (1952) - Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Star Tattoo (1952) - Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Artful Murders (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Emigrant of Death (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Missing Bride (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Deadly Queen (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Marked Man (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Haunted Castle (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Missing Finger (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Chinese Medallion (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Borrowed Corpse (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Restless Corpse (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of Design for Murder (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Deadly Derringer (1952)
- The Case of the Idol of Death (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Appointment with Death (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Date with Murder (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Missing Heads (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Deadly Dream (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Hidden Clue (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of Murder on the Hour (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Spirit World (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Fatal Passion (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Finger Man (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Corpse in the Canyon (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Locked Room (1952) - Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Second Death (1952) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Silent Guest (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Snowman Murder (1951) - Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Invisible Death (1951) - Sgt. Tim Malony
- The Case of the Living Corpse (1951) - Det. Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Vanishing Couple (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Crown Hill Murder (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Silent Alibi (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Purse of Death (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Toast to Murder (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Missing Gun (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Three Blind Mice (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Dart of Death (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of Carrie's Coffin (1951) - Sgt. Tim Maloney
- The Case of the Frightened Husband
- The Case of the Brazen Bride - Sgt. Tim Maloney
1953
My Hero (TV Series) as
Jefferson Smith / Jeff Fingers - Pickpocket
- Jailbreak (1953) - Jefferson Smith
- Bum for a Day (1953) - Jeff Fingers - Pickpocket
1952
Toughest Man in Arizona as
George Ryan (uncredited)
1952
We're Not Married! as
Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)
1952
Denver & Rio Grande as
Sheriff Ed Johnson
1952
Lone Star as
Luther Kilgore
1951
Here Comes the Groom as
O'Neill, Policeman
1951
Warpath as
Oldtimer
1951
His Kind of Woman as
Barkeeper in Nogales (uncredited)
1951
Excuse My Dust as
MSgt. Nuckols (uncredited)
1951
Raton Pass as
Hank
1951
The Last Outpost as
Stagecoach Driver (uncredited)
1950
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone as
The Train Conductor
1950
Let's Dance as
George (uncredited)
1950
The Kid from Texas as
Blacksmith (uncredited)
1950
Copper Canyon as
Jeb Bassett
1949
Red, Hot and Blue as
Joe - Doorman (uncredited)
1949
Mighty Joe Young as
Producer (uncredited)
1949
Take Me Out to the Ball Game as
Policeman (uncredited)
1949
Alias Nick Beal as
Bum (uncredited)
1949
Shamrock Hill as
Michael Rogan
1948
June Bride as
Luke Potter
1948
Night Wind as
Sheriff Hamilton
1948
Beyond Glory as
Jim, the Bartender (uncredited)
1948
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven as
Cop (uncredited)
1948
The Timber Trail as
Jed Baker
1948
The Big Clock as
O'Brien
1947
Body and Soul as
Arnold (uncredited)
1947
Nightmare Alley as
Rural Marshal (uncredited)
1947
Song of the Thin Man as
Callahan (uncredited)
1947
The Gas House Kids in Hollywood as
Police Lt. Burke
1947
Down to Earth as
Detective Kelly
1947
Living in a Big Way as
Murphy (uncredited)
1947
Blaze of Noon as
Farmer (uncredited)
1947
Philo Vance's Gamble as
Lt. Burke
1947
Lost Honeymoon as
Bartender (uncredited)
1947
Easy Come, Easy Go as
Harry Weston
1947
California as
Pokey
1946
Sister Kenny as
Undetermined Minor Role (scenes deleted)
1946
Bowery Bombshell as
Detective O'Malley
1946
The Virginian as
Andy Jones (uncredited)
1946
Young Widow as
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
1946
Two Years Before the Mast as
Carrick
1945
How DOooo You Do as
Detective
1945
I Love a Bandleader as
Charles Gibley
1945
Shady Lady as
Crane
1945
Guest Wife as
Waiter (uncredited)
1945
Anchors Aweigh as
Studio Cop
1945
The Horn Blows at Midnight as
Cliffside Park Policeman (uncredited)
1944
Casanova Brown as
O'Leary (uncredited)
1944
3 Men in White as
First Policeman (uncredited)
1943
Riding High as
Pete Brown (uncredited)
1943
Thank Your Lucky Stars as
Bill - the Intern Guard (uncredited)
1943
Dixie as
Riverboat Captain (uncredited)
1943
No Place for a Lady as
Moriarity
1942
A Night to Remember as
Pat Murphy
1942
Army Surgeon as
Brooklyn
1942
Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen as
Police Sgt. Velie
1942
Are Husbands Necessary? as
Tough Mugg (uncredited)
1942
It Happened in Flatbush as
Umpire Shaunnessy
1942
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen as
Sgt. Velie
1942
My Favorite Blonde as
Union Secretary
1942
A Close Call for Ellery Queen as
Police Sgt. Velle
1942
All Through the Night as
Forbes
1941
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring as
Police Sgt. Velie
1941
The Maltese Falcon as
Luke
1941
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime as
Sgt. Velie
1941
Million Dollar Baby as
Callahan
1941
Reaching for the Sun as
Norm
1941
Pot o' Gold as
Lt. Grady
1941
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery as
Police Sergeant Velie
1940
Ellery Queen, Master Detective as
Sgt. Velle
1940
Little Nellie Kelly as
Sergeant McGowan
1940
No Time for Comedy as
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
1940
The Golden Fleecing as
Sibley - Motorcycle Cop
1940
The Way of All Flesh as
Frisco
1940
The Saint Takes Over as
Patrolman Mike
1940
Opened by Mistake as
Police Sergeant Wilkins
1940
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise as
Wilkie
1940
Buck Benny Rides Again as
Taxi Driver
1940
Double Alibi as
Police Captain Orr
1939
The Cisco Kid and the Lady as
Pop Saunders
1939
At the Circus as
John Carter
1939
Fast and Furious as
Clancy
1939
Beau Geste as
Lieutenant Dufour
1939
On Borrowed Time as
Sheriff Burlingame
1939
Dodge City as
Cattle Auctioneer (uncredited)
1939
Sudden Money as
McPherson
1939
The Family Next Door as
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
I'm from Missouri as
Walt Bliss
1939
Within the Law as
'Red'
1939
The Saint Strikes Back as
Headquarters Police Officer
1938
The Dawn Patrol as
Flaherty
1938
Orphans of the Street as
Police Officer Lou Manning
1938
Little Orphan Annie as
Mike Moriarty
1938
Spring Madness as
Policeman (uncredited)
1938
The Mad Miss Manton as
Sullivan
1938
The Affairs of Annabel as
Muldoon
1938
You Can't Take It with You as
Chief Detective (uncredited)
1938
Men with Wings as
J.A. Nolan
1938
Joy of Living as
Mac
1938
Flight Into Nowhere as
Ike Matthews
1938
The Buccaneer as
Pirate (uncredited)
1937
The Perfect Specimen as
Sheriff Bill Snodgrass
1937
Life Begins with Love as
Darby McGraw
1937
Dead End as
Mulligan
1937
High, Wide and Handsome as
Stackpole
1937
Pick a Star as
Detective Nolan (uncredited)
1937
Champagne Waltz as
Mr. Scribner
1936
Laughing at Trouble as
Sheriff Bill Norton
1936
Can This Be Dixie? as
Sheriff N.B.F. Rider
1936
Old Hutch as
Bank Teller (scenes deleted)
1936
Great Guy as
Pat Haley
1936
Pepper as
Hamburger Man (uncredited)
1936
36 Hours to Kill as
Doyle
1936
Rhythm on the Range as
Wabash
1936
Forgotten Faces as
Sgt. Johnny Donovan / Harry's friend
1936
Song and Dance Man as
Lt. Mike Boyle
1936
Klondike Annie as
Bartender (uncredited)
1936
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine as
Leader (uncredited)
1936
The Leathernecks Have Landed as
Corrigan
1936
It Had to Happen as
Foreman (uncredited)
1936
Dancing Feet as
Phil Moore
1935
Frisco Waterfront as
Corrigan
1935
Coronado as
Slug Moran
1935
Hot Money (Short) as
Police Sgt. Burke
1935
Music Is Magic as
Mickey (uncredited)
1935
Remember Last Night? as
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
1935
Case of the Missing Man as
Police Sergeant Rorty
1935
Here Comes Cookie as
Broken-Nose Reilly
1935
The Affair of Susan as
Hogan
1935
Call of the Wild as
Ole
1935
Welcome Home as
Michael Shaughnessy
1935
Man on the Flying Trapeze as
Patrolman No.2
1935
The Farmer Takes a Wife as
Man Hauling Rifles and Bullets (uncredited)
1935
Broadway Gondolier as
Uncle Andy
1935
After the Dance as
Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
1935
Make a Million as
Pete
1935
So Red the Rose as
Major Rushton
1935
Dinky as
Truck Driver
1935
Princess O'Hara as
A Detective (uncredited)
1935
Mississippi as
Skeptical Passenger in Pilot House (uncredited)
1935
Ruggles of Red Gap as
Jeff Tuttle
1935
The Mystery Man as
Managing Editor Marvin
1935
Rumba as
Reporter (uncredited)
1934
The Secret Bride as
Diner Counterman (uncredited)
1934
Ticket to a Crime as
Detective Lt. John Aloysius McGinnis
1934
Love Time as
Emperor Francis I
1934
Lady by Choice as
Brannigan
1934
Happiness Ahead as
Policeman (uncredited)
1934
The Lemon Drop Kid as
First Tramp (uncredited)
1934
Treasure Island as
Pirate of the Spanish Main
1934
The Girl from Missouri as
Policeman at Cousins' Suicide (uncredited)
1934
The Cat's-Paw as
Gargan (uncredited)
1934
Friends of Mr. Sweeney as
Policeman Arresting Wynn (uncredited)
1934
Such Women Are Dangerous as
Detective
1934
Little Miss Marker as
Detective Reardon (uncredited)
1934
The Merry Frinks as
3rd Expressman (uncredited)
1934
Sadie McKee as
First Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
1934
The Scarlet Empress as
Guard (uncredited)
1934
Twentieth Century as
Sheriff (uncredited)
1934
A Very Honorable Guy as
Sergeant (uncredited)
1934
City Limits as
King
1934
Sisters Under the Skin as
Conroy
1934
Good Dame as
Cop (uncredited)
1934
Wharf Angel as
Brooklyn Jack
1934
Gambling Lady as
Detective Making Raid (uncredited)
1934
It Happened One Night as
Detective (uncredited)
1934
Six of a Kind as
Detective (uncredited)
1934
All of Me as
Welfare Island Guard (uncredited)
1934
Fugitive Lovers as
Joe Cobb (uncredited)
1933
Queen Christina as
Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
1933
Gallant Lady as
Policeman in Park (uncredited)
1933
Lady Killer as
Panhandler (uncredited)
1933
Jimmy and Sally as
Furniture Mover (uncredited)
1933
Blood Money as
Pool Hall Detective (uncredited)
1933
The Kennel Murder Case as
Policeman Who Lets Philo's Dog Out (uncredited)
1933
Bombshell as
First Immigration Officer (uncredited)
1933
Tillie and Gus as
Juror (uncredited)
1933
The Bowery as
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1933
To the Last Man as
Kentucky Sheriff (uncredited)
1933
Torch Singer as
Taxicab Driver (uncredited)
1933
The Power and the Glory as
Gateman (uncredited)
1933
Her Bodyguard as
Police Captain (uncredited)
1933
College Humor as
Cromwell Dexter
1933
The Man Who Dared as
Registrar of Voters (uncredited)
1933
The Girl in 419 as
Detective Jackson
1933
A Pair of Socks (Short) as
Knockout Newton
1933
Techno-Crazy (Short) as
Policeman
1933
A Lady's Profession as
Mulroy
1933
Face in the Sky as
Cop (uncredited)
1932
The Painted Woman as
Sailor, Yank's Pal (uncredited)
1932
The Hollywood Handicap (Short) as
Character
Soundtrack
1960
Stagecoach West (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- Three Wise Men (1960) - (performer: "Silent Night" - uncredited)
1938
The Dawn Patrol (performer: "Plum and Apple" - uncredited)
1938
The Mad Miss Manton (performer: "Home on the Range")
1938
Joy of Living (performer: "You Couldn't Be Cuter" (1938) - uncredited)
Self
1955
Shower of Stars (TV Series) as
Self
- All-Star Line-Up (1955) - Self
1929
Burke and Durkin in a Tete-a-Tete in Songs (Short) as
Self - Vocalist
Archive Footage
2007
Classified X (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2003
Inside the Marx Brothers (Video documentary) as
John Carter (clip from At the Circus (1939)) (uncredited)
1975
Brother Can You Spare a Dime (Documentary)
References
James Burke (actor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA