Billie Burke

Date of Birth: August 7, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: May 14, 1970

Biography

Billie Burke, born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke on August 7, 1884, in Washington, D.C., was an American actress celebrated for her charming and whimsical performances. She began her career on the stage in London and New York before transitioning to film. Burke is best known for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Her career spanned over five decades, during which she appeared in numerous films, stage productions, and radio shows. She was married to Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., the famous Broadway impresario, and their marriage was marked by both professional collaboration and personal devotion. Billie Burke’s legacy endures through her memorable performances and lasting impact on both stage and screen.

5 Interesting Facts about Billie Burke

1. Billie Burke was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Merrily We Live” (1938).

2. She was a prominent hostess in Hollywood, known for her lavish parties attended by the industry’s elite.

3. Burke wrote an autobiography titled “With a Feather on My Nose,” published in 1949.

4. She made her stage debut in 1903 in London and quickly became a popular actress in both the UK and the US.

5. Billie Burke was one of the first actresses to transition successfully from silent films to “talkies.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Billie Burke

1. “Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese.”

2. “To survive, we must keep our sense of humor.”

3. “Acting is charming. It’s a charming life.”

4. “I have never tried to see what social purpose art can serve. Art is art.”

5. “The more you love what you are doing, the better you will do it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her career, Billie Burke’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, a substantial sum for her era.

Children

Billie Burke had one daughter, Patricia Ziegfeld Stephenson, born in 1916. Patricia became a writer and chronicled her mother’s life and career in her own writings.