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  3. 'Rear Window': Raymond Burr's Sad Cause Of Death

'Rear Window': Raymond Burr's Sad Cause Of Death

Laura Pérez / March 9, 2025 - 11:50 pm

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Pinterest Robert Benevides: Who Was Raymond Burr's Partner relationship husband wife estate Perry Mason actor star death today 2021
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Raymond Burr

Raymond William Stacy Burr was born on May 21, 1917 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. His TV and film career began in the mid '30s.

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Raymond Burr

Raymond Burr grew up along with his parents, hardware salesman William and pianist Minerva, as well as with his younger siblings, James and Geraldine.

However, his parents divroced when he was six, and he moved with his mother and siblings to California.

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Raymond Burr

Burr's acting career started in 1934 when he joined a Toronto-based theatre company, which gave him the opportunity to tour in Australia, England and India.

He then attended Long Beach Junior College, at the same time he had a job as a radio actor and singer. By 1940 Burr was living in New York City, where he landed his first Broadway role in 'Crazy With the Heat'.

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Raymond Burr

In 1940 he made his film debut playing the uncredited role of "Mrs. Millicent Potter's chauffeur" in 'Earl of Puddlestone'. In 1946 he portrayed "Jeff" in 'San Quentin' and he continued landing significant movie roles in the following years.

Some of his notable film credits include Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window' (1954), playing suspected murderer "Lars Thorwald", as well as the 1956 and 1985 films 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters!' and 'Godzilla 1985', where he played "Steve Martin".

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Raymond Burr

As of television, Burr made appearances in 'Family Theater' and 'Tales of Tomorrow'.

He, however, was best known for his main role as "Perry Mason" in the legal drama series of the same name, appearing for a total of 271 episodes from 1957 to 1966. His work on 'Perry Mason' earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, in 1959 and 1961.

He then portrayed "Robert T. Ironside" in 194 episodes of the crime drama show 'Ironside' from 1967 to 1975. 

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Raymond Burr as Perry Mason 1957-1966 classic TV crime series
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Raymond Burr

As for Burr's love life, he was married to actress Isabella Ward ('West Side Story') from 1948 to 1952. 

Later on, in 1960, the 'Rear Window' star met actor Robert Benevides. The latter quit acting in 1963, but was known for his appearances on 'The Restless Gun' and 'Death Valley Days'. It wasn't until Burr's death that it was revealed to the public that he was homosexual and Benevides had been his longtime partner.

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Raymond Burr

Quick facts about Raymond Burr:

  • Left his $32 million estate to partner Robert Benevides
  • Was the original host of 'Unsolved Mysteries'
  • Some of his hobbies were cooking, cultivating orchids, collecting wine and art, sailing and fishing
  • Known for playing villains, was a generous man in real life
  • His final movie appearance took place in the 1991 film 'Delirious' as "Carter Hedison"

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Pinterest Raymond Burr cause of death how old age 76 1993 Perry Mason actor cancer final role last movie TV show film series partner Robert Benevides
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Raymond Burr

In 1993 a renal cell carcinoma was removed from Burr's body. In Spring that year it was revealed that the cancer had spread to his liver and was now inoperable.

After his diagnosis, the 'Rear Window' actor said goodbye to his beloved ones and even threw farewell parties.

He died on September 12, 1993 at his Sonoma County ranch, aged 76. The star was interred with his parents at New Westminster's Fraser Cemetery.

Actor Raymond Burr was a talented Hollywood star, better known for his appearances in films like Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window' and TV shows like 'Perry Mason'.

'Rear Window': Raymond Burr's Cause Of Death

With a successful show business career that lasted almost six decades, Burr sadly died in 1993.

This caused his death.

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