

Cast & creator
Best known for Lassie, I Love Lucy, Cheyenne
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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.
Also known as: Jim Burke, James Michael Burke
158
film credits
15
television credits
173
1932–1975 · acting roles
6.5
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Across film & television
Showing 173 of 173 credits


Mr. Watson
1951
Buckshot
1955
Sheriff John Tatum
1958
Sheriff M. Comstock
1958
Sheriff Blore
1958
Self
1974



Policeman
1959
James Burke
1960
Zeke Bonner
1960

Horse Handler (uncredited)
1957
Luke
1941
Carrick
1946
Detective (uncredited)
1934
Rural Marshal (uncredited)
1947
Chief Detective (uncredited)
1938
Sheriff Burlingame
1939
Barkeeper in Nogales (uncredited)
1951
Charlie (uncredited)
1959
John Carter
1939
Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)
1952
Jeff Tuttle
1935
Pirate of the Spanish Main
1934
O'Brien
1948
Police Lt. Forbes
1942
Arnold (uncredited)
1947
Andy Jones (uncredited)
1946
Cattle Auctioneer (uncredited)
1939
Sullivan
1938
Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
1934
Luke Potter
1948
Policeman Callahan (uncredited)
1947
Doorman (uncredited)
1949
Studio Cop
1945
Ole
1935
Luther Kilgore
1952
O'Neill, Policeman
1951
Police Sergeant Rorty
1935
O'Leary (uncredited)
1944
Lieutenant Dufour
1939

Mulligan
1937
Self (archive footage)
1975
Detective (uncredited)
1934
Sheriff Ed Johnson
1952
Crane
1945
Bill, Intern Guard (uncredited)
1943
Pat Murphy (uncredited)
1942
Harrigan
1957
Detective Kelly
1947
Stagecoach driver (uncredited)
1951
Headquarters Police Officer
1939
Sheriff (uncredited)
1934
Policeman (uncredited)
1945
Sheriff Tom Watling
1957
Jeb Bassett
1950
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
1934
Mahoney
1954
Sergeant Velie
1941
Bum
1949
Riverboat Captain (uncredited)
1943
Pokey
1947
Policeman Who Lets Dog Out (uncredited)
1933
Managing Editor Marvin
1935
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
1940
Major Rushton
1935
J.A. Nolan
1938
Patrolman Mike
1940
Wilkie, house detective
1940
Mulroy
1933
Taxi Driver
1940

Patrolman
1935
First Policeman (uncredited)
1944
Kentucky Sheriff (uncredited)
1933
Darby McGraw
1937
Wabash
1936
Clancy
1939
Union Secretary
1942
Detective
1945
Sheriff N.B.F. Rider
1936
Walt Bliss
1939
The Train Conductor
1950
Oldtimer
1951
Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver
1938
Callahan
1941
Sgt. Velie
1941
Man Hauling Rifles and Bullets
1935
Policeman Arresting Wynn
1934
Doyle - Process Server
1936
Frisco
1940
Sgt. Velie
1941
Pop Saunders
1939
Detective Jackson
1933
Panhandler (uncredited)
1933
Detective Reardon (uncredited)
1934
Umpire Shaunnessy
1942
Harry Weston
1947
Stackpole
1937
Norm
1941
Uncle Andy
1935
Mac
1938
Sgt. Velle
1940
Motorcycle Cop (Uncredited)
1946
Police Sergeant Velie
1942
George (uncredited)
1950
Lt. Mike Boyle
1936
McPherson
1939
Taxi Driver
1933
Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
1936
Sibley
1940
Corrigan
1936
Muldoon
1938
Policeman
1939
Jim, the Bartender (uncredited)
1948
Conroy
1934
First Immigration Officer (uncredited)
1933
Sgt. Velie
1942
Sergeant
1934
Cop (uncredited)
1933
Lt. Grady
1941
Detective Making Raid (uncredited)
1934
Detective
1934
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1933
Lt. Burke
1947

Hank
1951
Police Lt. Burke
1947
Police Substation Chief Moriarty
1943
Sgt. Velie
1942
Detective Lt. John Aloysius McGinnis
1934
'Red'
1939
Broken-Nose Reilly
1935
Truck Driver
1935
Skeptical Passenger in Pilot House (uncredited)
1935
Hogan
1935
Sergeant McGowan
1940
Cromwell Dexter
1933
Police Sergeant Wilkins
1940
Pete
1943
Mickey (uncredited)
1935
Charles Gibley
1945
Police Captain Orr
1940
Cop (uncredited)
1948
Michael Shaughnessy
1935
Phil Moore
1936
Police Lieutenant
1935
Emperor Francis I
1934
3rd Expressman (uncredited)
1934
Detective O'Malley
1946
King, a Hobo
1934
Welfare Island Guard (uncredited)
1934
Constable Snodgrass
1937
Brannigan
1934
Sgt. Johnny Donovan / Harry's friend
1936
Pete
1935
Mr. Scribner
1937
Brooklyn Jack
1934
Ike Matthews
1938
Police Sgt. Burke
1935
Sheriff Hamilton
1948
Slug Moran
1935
Jed Baker
1948
Michael Rogan
1949
Brooklyn
1942
Bill Norton
1936Mike Moriarty
1938
Corrigan
1935