Billie Burke
Billie Burke
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Billie Burke was born Mary Josephine Burk on November 7, 1884, in Washington, D.C., USA. She is often referred to as Mary Josephine Burke or simply Mrs. William Powell, due to her marriage to actor William Powell.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: November 7, 1884, Washington, D.C., USA
Died: May 29, 1970 (age 85), Hollywood, California, USA
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Billie Burke was an American actress, born to John Morris Burk, a journalist, and Emma Guggenheim Burk. She began her career as a stage actress, transitioning to film in the late 1910s.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a family of modest means, Burke's early life was marked by a passion for the arts. Her father, a strong advocate for women's rights, encouraged her interest in acting. Burke attended Finch College (now part of Fordham University) before pursuing a career on stage.
Major Accomplishments
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Burke's success as an actress spanned several decades and multiple mediums. Some notable achievements include:
Her Broadway debut in 1906, where she quickly gained recognition for her comedic talents.
A successful film career, beginning with the silent era, which transitioned seamlessly to "talkies."
Her portrayal of Elsie Topaz in the 1937 film _Topper_, opposite William Powell, cementing their on-screen chemistry and off-screen marriage.Notable Works or Actions
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Throughout her career, Burke appeared in numerous notable films, including:
_The Affairs of Cellini_ (1934)
_Marry the Girl_ (1935)
_Topper_ (1937) and its sequel, _Topper Returns_ (1941)
Impact and Legacy
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Burke's legacy extends beyond her impressive filmography. Her dedication to women's rights and social justice mirrored her father's values. She was an outspoken advocate for the American Red Cross during World War I.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Billie Burke's quotes, both witty and insightful, offer a glimpse into her sharp wit and intelligence. Her on-screen presence, combined with her dedication to social causes, has made her an enduring figure in American cinema and society.
Quotes by Billie Burke
This is an era of woman's work in many spheres of activity -- of independent thought and individual achievement in the arts and sciences and learned professions, as well as the humbler, but not more self-sacrificing fields of usefulness. But every woman pursues the eternal quest for love, for sympathy, for understanding, for happiness, and in her heart is the great, holy yearning for motherhood.
No woman has less temptation to seek matrimony from sordid motives of selfishness or convenience. The actress is an absolutely independent wage-earner, and better compensated than the great majority of women who make their own livelihoods. She need not marry for money, or social position, for these are her natural possessions.
To survive there, you need the ambition of a Latin-American revolutionary, the ego of a grand opera tenor, and the physical stamina of a cow pony.