Chris Burke (actor)
Christopher Joseph Burke (born August 26, 1965 in Point Lookout , New York ) is a retired American actor and singer who has trisomy 21 (also known as Down syndrome). He became known as Charles "Corky" Thatcher, the main character in the US television series Alles Okay, Corky?
Life
Burke was born with Down syndrome. His parents and three older siblings encouraged him from an early age so that he could attend the Don Guanella School in Springfield , Pennsylvania . After graduating from school in 1985, he worked as a lift boy, among other things .
At the Don Guanella School, Burke decided to become an actor. He got his first small role in the television film Desperate on the broadcaster ABC . Burke's game impressed those in charge and developed the series Alles Okay, Corky? , in which Burke took the lead. The role became his breakthrough as an actor and led to other role offers. For example, he appeared several times in the series A Breath of Heaven as an angel with Down syndrome.
Burke is a special envoy for the National Down Syndrome Society and spokesman for the National Down Syndrome Congress. He also performed folk songs as a singer with twins Joe and John DeMasi and toured the United States and Canada. The band released four albums between 1993 and 2002.
Filmography
- 1987: Desperate (TV movie)
- 1989–1993: Everything okay, Corky? ( Life Goes On , TV series)
- 1992: Jonathan - Life Against Any Chance ( Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted , TV movie)
- 1994: The Police Chief - Ice Cream ( The Commish , TV series, an episode)
- 1994: Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III (TV series)
- 1997: A Sign from Heaven ( Promised Land , TV series, an episode)
- 1997: Touched by an Angel ( Touched by an Angel , TV series)
- 2002: Lady Cops ( The Division , TV series, an episode)
- 2002: Emergency Room ( ER , TV series, an episode)
- 2003: Mona Lisa's Smile (Mona Lisa Smile)
Discography
The band Chris Burke featuring Joe & John DeMasi released the following albums so far:
- 1993: Lollipops and Love Songs
- 1994: … Singer with the Band
- 1998: Forever Friends
- 2002: A World of Kindness
Web links
- Chris Burke in the Internet Movie Database (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Burke, Chris |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Burke, Christopher Joseph (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | US-American actor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 26, 1965 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Point Lookout , New York , USA |