Actor. Primarily a supporting actor during his five-decade career, he is probably best remembered for his role as 'Pat Chambers' on "Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer" television show that ran from 1957 until 1959. His father was an inspector for the New York City Police Department. After graduating from high school, he attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and Columbia University in New York City, New York. When the US entered World War II in December 1941, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant the following year. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations and saw combat at the Battle of Kwajalein, Battle of Saipan, and the Battle of Iwo Jima, earning a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. Following the end of the war, he was discharged at the rank of captain and decided to pursue a career in acting. He changed his name to Bart Burns in 1947 to avoid confusing with the well-known comedian George Burns, and in 1948 he made his Broadway debut in "Mister Roberts" with actor Henry Fonda. In 1953 he made his first television appearance in "Lux Video Theater." 1954 he appeared in the television broadcast of "Twelve Angry Men" and in 1956 he made his film debut in "Between Heaven and Hell." His other film credits include "Seven Days in May" (1964), "The Iceman Cometh" (1973), "The Nickel Ride" (1974), "Helter Skelter" (1976 television film), "Frances" (1982), "Legal Eagles" (1986), and "Fear" (1988). He appeared in numerous television shows, including "Man Against Crime," "Suspense," "Climax!," "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater," "Official Detective," "The Millionaire," "State Trooper," "McHale's Navy," "Laredo," "Run for Your Life," "Kojak," "Columbo," "Lou Grant," and "Shadow Chasers." He also contributed to the scripts for the four-part "Kilroy" series of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" television show. He died of natural causes at the age of 89.
Actor. Primarily a supporting actor during his five-decade career, he is probably best remembered for his role as 'Pat Chambers' on "Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer" television show that ran from 1957 until 1959. His father was an inspector for the New York City Police Department. After graduating from high school, he attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and Columbia University in New York City, New York. When the US entered World War II in December 1941, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant the following year. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations and saw combat at the Battle of Kwajalein, Battle of Saipan, and the Battle of Iwo Jima, earning a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. Following the end of the war, he was discharged at the rank of captain and decided to pursue a career in acting. He changed his name to Bart Burns in 1947 to avoid confusing with the well-known comedian George Burns, and in 1948 he made his Broadway debut in "Mister Roberts" with actor Henry Fonda. In 1953 he made his first television appearance in "Lux Video Theater." 1954 he appeared in the television broadcast of "Twelve Angry Men" and in 1956 he made his film debut in "Between Heaven and Hell." His other film credits include "Seven Days in May" (1964), "The Iceman Cometh" (1973), "The Nickel Ride" (1974), "Helter Skelter" (1976 television film), "Frances" (1982), "Legal Eagles" (1986), and "Fear" (1988). He appeared in numerous television shows, including "Man Against Crime," "Suspense," "Climax!," "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater," "Official Detective," "The Millionaire," "State Trooper," "McHale's Navy," "Laredo," "Run for Your Life," "Kojak," "Columbo," "Lou Grant," and "Shadow Chasers." He also contributed to the scripts for the four-part "Kilroy" series of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" television show. He died of natural causes at the age of 89.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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