[For the 1944 season] Raymond Burr was the leading man. He had extensive theatrical experience before making his debut at Elitch. He made his New York debut in the musical Crazy With the Heat in 1941. He appeared with Marlene Dietrich, Martha Raye and other leading stars in over 300 camp shows for the men in the armed forces. He is best remembered for his television role as Perry Mason that would come later in his career.
[Borrillo, Theodore A., (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre : a nostalgic journey (a history of its times). pp. 204.]
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1944
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
- Ironically, one of the Elitch Theatre 1944 season plays starring Burr was Let Us Be Gay, by Rachel Crothers. While Burr never came out as gay during his lifetime, upon his death it was revealed that he met his partner, Robert Benevides, in 1960 and they were together until Burr’s death in 1993.
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- Best remembered for his television role as Perry Mason.
- For his performance in Perry Mason, Burr received the 1959 and 1961 Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series.
- First appeared on Broadway in 1941’s Crazy With the Heart.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Burr appeared in the 1954 film, Rear Window, with Elitch alum Grace Kelly.
- Through the Perry Mason series there are countless connections between Raymond Burr and other Elitch Theatre Alums. Perry Mason guest stars included:
- Constance Towers (5 episodes)
- Mala Powers (5 episodes)
- Marion Ross
- Donald Murphy
- Marianne Stewart
- Debbie Reynolds (in a Perry Mason movie.)
Wikipedia Link:
