Jordan Ellis
Canadian actor Raymond Burr, best known for his title role in the television drama Perry Mason, was hospitalised in 1962 for surgery. According to sources, Burr had been diagnosed with potentially cancerous intestinal polyps, which turned out to be benign. This health scare occurred during the filming of Perry Mason, and Burr would go on to blame his role in the subsequent series Ironside, in which he played a wheelchair-bound detective, for his declining health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Major surgery |
| Date of hospitalisation | December 10, 1962 |
| Diagnosis | Potentially cancerous intestinal polyps |
| Surgery details | Removal of non-cancerous intestinal polyps; part of his intestines cut away and a Dacron tube inserted |
| Health scare | Heart attack |
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What You'll Learn
Raymond Burr was hospitalised for minor dental surgery
Raymond Burr was a Canadian actor known for his roles in the television dramas Perry Mason and Ironside. Burr was a familiar face on television and was ranked number 44 of the 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time by TV Guide magazine in 1996.
Burr was hospitalised in December 1962 for what was described as "minor dental surgery". However, there are conflicting reports about the nature of this surgery. One source, the Perry Mason TV Show Book (1987), supports the minor dental surgery claim. In contrast, the 1994 Ona L. Hill biography Raymond Burr states that he underwent major surgery for the removal of potentially cancerous intestinal polyps, which turned out to be benign.
Adding to the confusion, Burr himself reportedly denied cancer rumours and was known for confabulating stories about his life. He even invented two dead wives and a dead son to fill out his mysterious life story. This tendency to mythologise his personal life makes it challenging to ascertain the true nature of his hospitalisation.
What is clear, however, is that Burr experienced health issues during his career. He blamed his role in Ironside, where he played a wheelchair-using detective, for his health problems. He also suffered a heart attack and filmed the final episodes of Perry Mason in excruciating pain due to undiagnosed cancer. Despite his health struggles, Burr lived for another twenty years after his initial heart attack and left a lasting legacy in television.
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He had major surgery to remove intestinal polyps
Canadian actor Raymond William Stacy Burr, best known for his title role in the television drama Perry Mason, was admitted to the hospital for major surgery on December 10, 1962. He had been diagnosed with potentially cancerous intestinal polyps, and part of his intestines had to be surgically removed. The polyps were later found to be benign, and a Dacron tube was inserted during the procedure.
Burr's health was a concern throughout his life, with the actor experiencing excruciating pain while filming the final episodes of Perry Mason in 1993. He was also in a wheelchair while playing the role of a detective in another popular series, Ironside. Burr's dedication to his craft and his serious approach to acting are well-known. He was so serious about his craft that he even did all his own cooking to perfect the specialty dishes of various countries, despite not being able to eat them himself.
The actor's health issues were often linked to his work. In fact, Burr himself blamed Ironside for his health problems, specifically his heart attack, which some sources attribute to the use of a wheelchair in the series. Burr suffered a heart attack and died of liver cancer in 1993, with his cancer diagnosis a closely guarded secret.
The actor's personal life was a subject of much speculation, with many details of his biography unverifiable. Burr was a gay man who kept his sexuality concealed, even inventing stories about wives and a dead son to fill in the blanks in his life story. His relationship with his life companion and former actor, Robert Benevides, was also kept private, with Burr's homosexuality only reported after his death.
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Burr experienced a heart attack
Canadian actor Raymond William Stacy Burr, best known for his title role in the television drama Perry Mason, experienced a heart attack at some point during his lifetime. Burr's dedication to his craft and his serious approach to acting are well-documented. This commitment may have contributed to the health scare he experienced, which some sources attribute to his role in "Ironside," where he played a wheelchair-bound detective.
Burr's heart attack was a significant event in his life, and he managed to rebound and survive for another two decades after the initial incident. This speaks to his resilience and the medical care he received following the heart attack. During his career, Burr portrayed villains and was known for his roles in film noir and crime dramas. His presence and talent made him a household name, and he became one of the best-known and best-paid television stars of his time.
While Burr's heart attack was a challenging event, it did not deter him from continuing his successful career in Hollywood. He took on diverse roles and even ventured into business, owning and operating an orchid business and a vineyard in California's Dry Creek Valley with his partner, Robert Benevides. Burr's personal life, including his homosexuality, was a well-kept secret, and he often shared unverifiable biographical details, adding an air of intrigue to his persona.
The exact timeline of Burr's heart attack is not specified in the sources. However, his longevity and continued success in the entertainment industry after the health scare demonstrate his determination and commitment to his craft. Burr's impact on television and his ability to rebound from health issues are a testament to his resilience and talent. Unfortunately, Burr passed away in 1993 due to liver cancer, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a mysterious personal life.
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He was in pain while filming 'Perry Mason'
Raymond Burr was in excruciating pain while filming the final episodes of "Perry Mason" in 1993. Little did anyone on the set know that he was dying of cancer.
Burr was a very private person, and his biographers were not surprised that he kept his illness a secret. In fact, he was so good at keeping secrets that many details of his biography were unverifiable. For example, he reportedly invented two dead wives and a dead son to fill out the blank spaces in his life story. He also repeated false reports of his service during World War II and often spoke about his false romances to the media.
Burr's health issues were not limited to cancer. In 1962, he underwent major surgery to remove potentially cancerous intestinal polyps, which turned out to be benign. A part of his intestines was cut away, and a Dacron tube was inserted. This incident left him with a physical difficulty that prohibited him from standing or moving comfortably. Despite this, he continued to work, and his dedication to his craft is well-known.
In addition to his health issues, Burr also faced challenges in his personal life. He was a gay man in an industry where admitting his homosexuality would have ended his career. He kept his sexual orientation concealed throughout his life, only being outed posthumously by the press. His relationship with Robert Benevides, whom he met on the set of "Perry Mason" in 1957, was also kept under wraps until after his death.
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The actor died of liver cancer in 1993
Canadian actor Raymond William Stacy Burr, who portrayed the title roles in the television dramas Perry Mason and Ironside, died of liver cancer in 1993. He was in excruciating pain as he filmed the final episodes of Perry Mason that year, but almost no one on the set knew he was dying. Burr was known for keeping his life private, and his biographers note that he carried many of his secrets to the grave.
In 1962, Burr went to the hospital for major surgery after being diagnosed with potentially cancerous intestinal polyps. It was later reported that the polyps were benign, and a portion of his intestines was removed. However, there are conflicting reports, with some sources quoting Burr as saying that the polyps were cancerous.
Burr had a history of health problems, including a heart attack, and he blamed his role in Ironside for his health issues. He played a wheelchair-bound detective in the series and believed that the physical demands of the role contributed to his health decline. Despite his health struggles, Burr had a lengthy and successful career in Hollywood, with roles on Broadway, radio, television, and film.
In addition to his acting career, Burr was known for his passion for cooking and his hobbies, which included cultivating orchids and collecting wine, art, stamps, and seashells. He was also unfailingly generous to charities and dedicated much of his time to public service.
Burr's personal life remained a mystery to the public, and many details of his biography were unverifiable. He kept his homosexuality concealed throughout his life, and it was only reported after his death. He was briefly married and also invented fictional stories about his life, including two dead wives and a dead son.
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Frequently asked questions
Raymond Burr was admitted to the hospital on December 10, 1962, for major surgery. He had been diagnosed with potentially cancerous intestinal polyps, which turned out to be benign.
Yes, Burr experienced excruciating pain while filming the final "Perry Mason" episodes in 1993. It was later revealed that he was dying of cancer, which ultimately took his life that year.
Some sources suggest that Burr's dedication to his acting career may have contributed to his health issues. He blamed his role in "Ironside" for his health problems, including a heart attack, and his portrayal of Perry Mason may have delayed his cancer treatment.
