James Burke
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.
Known for
ActingBirthday
September 23, 1886Deathday
May 23, 1968Gender
MaleKnown Movie Credits
146Place of birth
New York City, New York, USAAlso known as
Jim Burke, James Michael Burke![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/6xXAL2XkRoowVkxtreZjFs5tjLY.jpg)
Cast credits
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/bf4o6Uzw5wqLjdKwRuiDrN1xyvl.jpg)
The Maltese Falcon
Luke![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/dJsDjHYfOemGvVtHTdivU0Tl0YK.jpg)
At the Circus
John Carter![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/hXAKnbtsh5Yudr6gCeeUqij364a.jpg)
We're Not Married!
Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/ajRCnbIHtrIDJ6LERnTS0wM8aZk.jpg)
Lucky Me
Mahoney![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/5ZYJY5qZOj7dPfjSdnM7gFk2Ch0.jpg)
Dead End
Police Officer Mulligan![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/xDRHfwghNNXy4ASdus5GSzyTX6x.jpg)
Beau Geste
Lieutenant Dufour![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/w6m3b68HSL1tmYoDJBcYxA4yoZX.jpg)
All Through the Night
Police Lt. Forbes![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/cOTgiliDApy943vFAUyjhQeZe6M.jpg)
36 Hours to Kill
Doyle - Process Server![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/cmluBTdeZKIf8irEk6PBi5WuEUK.jpg)
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise
Wilkie, house detective![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/j0Ohrv7d9zlv2X5nEfndCWDAfSh.jpg)
The Horn Blows at Midnight
Policeman (uncredited)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/AcqtAhoYNFR1kjXvuZiT5ZoY76A.jpg)
Great Guy
Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/ncrQ21mjMTznDZDTmAcT3j5berB.jpg)
The Dawn Patrol
Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/lnKYS1A1k78X5v5IpLA96e6EYoe.jpg)
Body and Soul
Arnold (uncredited)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/iu69qjh9jPcOJn6UglqTKCbye2x.jpg)
The Saint Strikes Back
Headquarters Police Officer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/7ROab49D9qHqLBSU2moHXQnYjeo.jpg)
A Close Call for Ellery Queen
Sgt. Velie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/uozcDvtzNlmC20TPcDvHfjEUkJ6.jpg)
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
Sgt. Velie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/nBBF5ExnqMELiWBWP4kD9pCJ0BW.jpg)
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring
Sgt. Velie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/m5PRrhDu99EMbMKcmaE8qMm4hv2.jpg)
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
Sgt. Velie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/pvBOJasFILGi2QGL6eoWo9pXNrj.jpg)
Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen
Police Sergeant Velie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/pxPcGeG2Udc1Gm8J31KYH5cwBc6.jpg)
Ellery Queen, Master Detective
Sgt. Velle![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/asHnRVsShSudnvOMNRRtZcwdipH.jpg)
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery
Sgt. Velie