Raymond William Stacy Burr was born on May 21, 1917, in New Westminster, British Columbia, and spent his early years traveling extensively with his family. His father worked as a trade agent in China, where the family resided for a period, and Burr's parents later separated. After returning to Canada, Burr and his mother relocated to Vallejo, California, where she raised him with the assistance of her parents.
As he grew older, Burr took on various jobs to support his mother, younger sister, and younger brother. He worked as a ranch hand in Roswell, New Mexico, a deputy sheriff, a photo salesman, and even a nightclub singer. During World War II, Burr served in the United States Navy and was shot in the stomach in Okinawa, resulting in his return home.
In 1946, Burr made his film debut in San Quentin, and he went on to appear in over 90 films before landing the iconic role of Perry Mason in 1957. Decades later, he reprised the role alongside former co-star Barbara Hale in a series of NBC television movies. At the age of 65, Burr returned to his academic roots, teaching drama as a professor of theatre at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park.
After a courageous battle with cancer, Burr passed away at the age of 76 on September 12, 1993, at his ranch home in Geyserville, Sonoma County, California. He was married once, but the union ended in divorce, and he did not have any children.
