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Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr
(Applause Books). The complete story of the actor's career, including his secret gay life. Raymond Burr (1917-1993) was an enigma. A film noir star regularly known for his villainous roles in movies like Rear Window , he delighted millions of viewers each week with the top-rated shows Perry Mason and Ironside , which ran virtually uninterrupted for 20 years. But Burr was leading a secret gay life at a time in Hollywood when such a lifestyle was akin to career suicide. He invented a tragic biography for himself in which he was mythologized as a heartbroken husband and father. There was even an invented affair with a teenage Natalie Wood, 21 years his junior. He fought for truth as Perry Mason and Robert T. Ironside, yet he couldn't admit his own deception. Burr met his partner, struggling actor Robert Benevides, on the set of Perry Mason , and they remained together for over 35 years until Burr's death. Together, they built a business empire, traveled the world, and shared their passion for orchids and fine wine keeping the true nature of their relationship a secret from all but their closest friends a secret revealed here for the first time in depth.
266 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
August 2, 2016
Whenever ink was set to paper in the popular press during actor Raymond Burr's lifetime -- for the purpose of telling anything about his life -- two things were true: that there was ink, and there was paper. Burr's life on paper was almost as total a lie as could possibly exist.
In this biography of the famed TV and movie actor, Burr -- star of the long-running series Perry Mason and villainous character actor in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window and Anthony Mann's Raw Deal -- Michael Seth Starr washes the boards clean and comes up with the story of an actor beset by secrets simply untenable in golden age Hollywood. The biggest of these secrets, of course, was that Burr was gay. He married once, a sham of course, and was beset by demons, particularly his weight problem that prevented him from ever becoming a leading man in movies, despite a strong handsome face and burly commanding voice.
Starr's book doesn't spend too much time on Burr's ancestry and early life, thankfully, as too many star bios seem to want to do today. He quickly gets to the meat of what we want to know about: his stardom and his secret life. Even so, in the earliest pages, he paints a portrait of a lonely introverted young man who was ostracized at military school and who loved the arts, flowers and his mother extremely; the stuff of a stereotypical gay youth. (Oddly enough, one of Burr's earliest roles onstage was in a play called Let Us Be Gay).
Burr wove his own fictions, and the press ate them up: that he was a wounded, decorated war hero, world theatrical traveler in his youth, holder of advanced college degrees, widower of a wife who died in a plane crash, father of a boy who died of leukemia at age 10, and discoverer of Mayan ruins (all lies). The lies were absolutely necessary though, to blur his homosexuality, which would destroy his career in two seconds. The genius of the lies especially about dead wives and failed marriages is that, when pressed to discuss them by interviewers, Burr could easily let himself off the hook by saying, "It's too painful to discuss." Thus, the straightness of his manhood could not be called into question and nobody pressed further for details. Starr tracks down the sources of many of Burr's fictions -- often cobbled by the actor from news accounts of other people's tragedies.
Starr covers Burr's significant contribution to the film noir genre of the '40s and '50s. Because of his imposing weight he came to be typecast as malicious heavies; and his work in films such as Raw Deal, Pitfall and many more is wonderful to behold. His most famous roles were in Hitchcock's Rear Window and in George Stevens' A Place in the Sun, that latter being the film role Burr took the most pride in. The book also covers parts of Burr's career not generally known about, including his USO tours of isolated military outposts, for instance. There are other juicy tidbits; Burr's mentor relationship with a smitten 17-year-old Natalie Wood, unconsummated due to his gayness. As a straight man, I find it too painful to contemplate the very notion.
Although not always as revealing as one might want, it's a decent showbiz bio; fast-moving and pithy, giving us us all we really need to know, and no more. Despite Burr's need to lie, he seemed overall to be a decent fellow, charitable and sensitive (many of his good deeds went unpublicized, by his own wish). His fight to save co-star William Talman's job after a trumped-up scandal was another sign of Burr's decency. Some readers have complained about the lack of lurid detail in the book, which makes me wonder if we've read the same book or if they actually read it. There's an interview with a drag queen about his one-night stand with Burr, for instance, and the attempt by the Hollywood Confidential to dig up dirt on the actor. J. Edgar Hoover started an FBI file on Burr once reps with the American Bar Association had determined he was "a sex deviate."
In any case, Burr's completely non-forthcoming manner in his life left little or no trail; he had few confidants to whom he would talk candidly. Even his Perry Mason co-star of many years, Barbara Hale, knew very little about him, despite being on the friendliest of terms with him. There are some caveats: Sometimes Starr repeats bits of information, even facts he'd already given just a few pages before. Some other reviewers here complained about the amount of detail given about the history of the Perry Mason show, but I found that interesting, and since it's the main reason for Burr's fame I didn't find it out of proportion. The important point is that this is the first real and balanced bio of the actor. Under the circumstances I think the book does a good job; not great, but good.
The latter parts of the book talk about Burr's incredible business acumen (he left an estate of 30 million), his lavish epicurean lifestyle, his success in TV movies all the way to his death in 1993; his virtual lording it over an island in Fiji that he owned, and his final days in his vineyard with his partner.
Burr's most famous role was as Perry Mason, a TV legal eagle who was more like Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes than a realistic attorney. He never lost a case. It's interesting that -- until this book -- nobody had applied Perry Mason's own tactics to get to the truth.
-----
(KR@KY, reposted with slight corrections in 2016)
In this biography of the famed TV and movie actor, Burr -- star of the long-running series Perry Mason and villainous character actor in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window and Anthony Mann's Raw Deal -- Michael Seth Starr washes the boards clean and comes up with the story of an actor beset by secrets simply untenable in golden age Hollywood. The biggest of these secrets, of course, was that Burr was gay. He married once, a sham of course, and was beset by demons, particularly his weight problem that prevented him from ever becoming a leading man in movies, despite a strong handsome face and burly commanding voice.
Starr's book doesn't spend too much time on Burr's ancestry and early life, thankfully, as too many star bios seem to want to do today. He quickly gets to the meat of what we want to know about: his stardom and his secret life. Even so, in the earliest pages, he paints a portrait of a lonely introverted young man who was ostracized at military school and who loved the arts, flowers and his mother extremely; the stuff of a stereotypical gay youth. (Oddly enough, one of Burr's earliest roles onstage was in a play called Let Us Be Gay).
Burr wove his own fictions, and the press ate them up: that he was a wounded, decorated war hero, world theatrical traveler in his youth, holder of advanced college degrees, widower of a wife who died in a plane crash, father of a boy who died of leukemia at age 10, and discoverer of Mayan ruins (all lies). The lies were absolutely necessary though, to blur his homosexuality, which would destroy his career in two seconds. The genius of the lies especially about dead wives and failed marriages is that, when pressed to discuss them by interviewers, Burr could easily let himself off the hook by saying, "It's too painful to discuss." Thus, the straightness of his manhood could not be called into question and nobody pressed further for details. Starr tracks down the sources of many of Burr's fictions -- often cobbled by the actor from news accounts of other people's tragedies.
Starr covers Burr's significant contribution to the film noir genre of the '40s and '50s. Because of his imposing weight he came to be typecast as malicious heavies; and his work in films such as Raw Deal, Pitfall and many more is wonderful to behold. His most famous roles were in Hitchcock's Rear Window and in George Stevens' A Place in the Sun, that latter being the film role Burr took the most pride in. The book also covers parts of Burr's career not generally known about, including his USO tours of isolated military outposts, for instance. There are other juicy tidbits; Burr's mentor relationship with a smitten 17-year-old Natalie Wood, unconsummated due to his gayness. As a straight man, I find it too painful to contemplate the very notion.
Although not always as revealing as one might want, it's a decent showbiz bio; fast-moving and pithy, giving us us all we really need to know, and no more. Despite Burr's need to lie, he seemed overall to be a decent fellow, charitable and sensitive (many of his good deeds went unpublicized, by his own wish). His fight to save co-star William Talman's job after a trumped-up scandal was another sign of Burr's decency. Some readers have complained about the lack of lurid detail in the book, which makes me wonder if we've read the same book or if they actually read it. There's an interview with a drag queen about his one-night stand with Burr, for instance, and the attempt by the Hollywood Confidential to dig up dirt on the actor. J. Edgar Hoover started an FBI file on Burr once reps with the American Bar Association had determined he was "a sex deviate."
In any case, Burr's completely non-forthcoming manner in his life left little or no trail; he had few confidants to whom he would talk candidly. Even his Perry Mason co-star of many years, Barbara Hale, knew very little about him, despite being on the friendliest of terms with him. There are some caveats: Sometimes Starr repeats bits of information, even facts he'd already given just a few pages before. Some other reviewers here complained about the amount of detail given about the history of the Perry Mason show, but I found that interesting, and since it's the main reason for Burr's fame I didn't find it out of proportion. The important point is that this is the first real and balanced bio of the actor. Under the circumstances I think the book does a good job; not great, but good.
The latter parts of the book talk about Burr's incredible business acumen (he left an estate of 30 million), his lavish epicurean lifestyle, his success in TV movies all the way to his death in 1993; his virtual lording it over an island in Fiji that he owned, and his final days in his vineyard with his partner.
Burr's most famous role was as Perry Mason, a TV legal eagle who was more like Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes than a realistic attorney. He never lost a case. It's interesting that -- until this book -- nobody had applied Perry Mason's own tactics to get to the truth.
-----
(KR@KY, reposted with slight corrections in 2016)
August 29, 2018
I would have rated this biography higher if it wasn’t for the cattiness of the author. It just wasn’t appropriate. Overall, it’s a good biography of a fine actor. There are great photos and lists of Burr’s filmography, etc. The bitchiness wasn’t needed.
February 24, 2014
very disappointed....poorly written and a confusing mishmash of film summaries and authorial judgement....the author does not even attempt to understand his subject or offer any thoughtful analysis. We never really get an idea of whether Burr evolved in his thinking about the Vietnam war. On the one hand the author tells us of Burr's support of the troops and his support of escalating the war effort, and than we learn he wanted the war to end; and in addition he wanted to work on tv projects to promote world peace. This suggests to me that Raymond Burr became pro- soldier but anti- war, but the author never tells us, and instead is content to tell us that Ironside appealed to Nixon voters., stating that as Robert Ironside Burr portrayed a no nonsense law and order policeman......did the author ever watch the show? Robert Ironside was no Jack Webb. He was a cerebral detective who was given to philosophical reflection and compassion and was devoid of any bigotry or strong arm tactics. In fact the author spends very little time on the Ironside series including his relationship with the other cast members, other than Don Galloway calling him "sir." This was a big negative for me because I was a huge "Ironside" fan.
January 8, 2010
Very good biography on a very, very private public figure. Interesting that it took this long for information to come out on him. I am a little puzzled that his homosexuality took so long to become public knowledge, according to this book.
I've known about it for sometime, since I'm a Bette Davis fan, and have read every book on her (they all tend to run together after a while, but I find it interesting on how biographers handle the exact same material). Davis was very good friends with Burr (which is not mentioned in the book whatsoever) and their friendship is the reason why she stepped in to fill his shoes when he was in the hospital getting surgery during the Perry Mason show. She commented on how his relationship was one of the best and most enduring in Hollywood, and since she died 5 years before he did, I'm a little confused. This book makes it seem a bit like it's breaking this news, when it's been featured in other Hollywood biographies before.
There's not a ton of revelations except for die hard Perry Mason/Burr fans, but again, there's not much information out there on Burr. He purposely lived a good chunk of his life on a secluded Fijian island that took twenty hours to get to, so I don't fault the author that this book isn't more "dishy." Book takes a more respectful stance, which I appreciate.
I've known about it for sometime, since I'm a Bette Davis fan, and have read every book on her (they all tend to run together after a while, but I find it interesting on how biographers handle the exact same material). Davis was very good friends with Burr (which is not mentioned in the book whatsoever) and their friendship is the reason why she stepped in to fill his shoes when he was in the hospital getting surgery during the Perry Mason show. She commented on how his relationship was one of the best and most enduring in Hollywood, and since she died 5 years before he did, I'm a little confused. This book makes it seem a bit like it's breaking this news, when it's been featured in other Hollywood biographies before.
There's not a ton of revelations except for die hard Perry Mason/Burr fans, but again, there's not much information out there on Burr. He purposely lived a good chunk of his life on a secluded Fijian island that took twenty hours to get to, so I don't fault the author that this book isn't more "dishy." Book takes a more respectful stance, which I appreciate.
March 18, 2015
This was an interesting, well-written and quick read. It’s not the definitive biography I would have liked to read, but it doesn’t profess to be. For what it is, it provides a quick, if incomplete, overview of Burr’s life.
June 5, 2009
I knew nothing about Raymond Burr and only picked up this biography because the author was signing free copies of it at the book expo, and the book's blurb piqued my interest by noting its focus on his secret life as a closeted gay man. There is no way I would have read it otherwise (it may be the only biography on my entire reading list), but I really enjoyed the book and devoured it in three days.
Knowing so little about Burr, the book read almost like a novel for me in which I looked forward to finding out what personal and professional adventures he took on next, and how they turned out. Despite Burr's incredibly bold lies throughout his life to cover for his homosexuality, involving fake wives and a fake son (all of whom supposedly died tragic early deaths, rather conveniently), Starr paints Burr in a very appealing light. He was a consummate actor with a true zest for adventurous living and a wonderfully generous heart for worthy causes and disadvantaged children.
The book is fairly short and written in very workman-like prose, without much context provided about the culture in which Burr was living during the key stages of his life, and without much theorizing about why Burr made the choices he did. Many reviewers seem to fault the book for that, and I suppose if I already knew all of the details of Burr's life, I might too. But as someone not well-versed in his life story, I personally found Starr's approach of relaying the basic facts about Burr's life in a straightforward manner to be plenty compelling without such adornments.
In short, if you are new to Burr this biography is fascinating and a very worthwhile read; if you aren't, you may find this primer somewhat underwhelming.
Knowing so little about Burr, the book read almost like a novel for me in which I looked forward to finding out what personal and professional adventures he took on next, and how they turned out. Despite Burr's incredibly bold lies throughout his life to cover for his homosexuality, involving fake wives and a fake son (all of whom supposedly died tragic early deaths, rather conveniently), Starr paints Burr in a very appealing light. He was a consummate actor with a true zest for adventurous living and a wonderfully generous heart for worthy causes and disadvantaged children.
The book is fairly short and written in very workman-like prose, without much context provided about the culture in which Burr was living during the key stages of his life, and without much theorizing about why Burr made the choices he did. Many reviewers seem to fault the book for that, and I suppose if I already knew all of the details of Burr's life, I might too. But as someone not well-versed in his life story, I personally found Starr's approach of relaying the basic facts about Burr's life in a straightforward manner to be plenty compelling without such adornments.
In short, if you are new to Burr this biography is fascinating and a very worthwhile read; if you aren't, you may find this primer somewhat underwhelming.
September 8, 2008
So I’m standing at the circ. desk talking to a coworker and as I’m checking in this book I ask aloud, “Raymond Burr had a secret life? Like what, he was a spy?�
My coworker replied with, “No, he was gay.�
“He was not!�
“Well, that’s what that book is about.�
“Perry Mason? gay? No way.�
“Read the jacket cover.�
And sure enough the jacket cover told of Mr. Burr’s lies about his personal life and that he was gay. So I checked the book out in hopes it would be interesting in a trashy way. Lookit, that’s what Hollywood biographies are for, don’t judge me.
In a way, it’s nice that the book wasn’t all trashy and gossipy. However, the book was boring. I could tell the author had great respect for Raymond Burr, and that’s always nice, but it was kind of too nice. And the author didn’t even go into much about the 30 somethingish odd year relationship that Raymond had with his supposed lover. Eh, like I say, boring. I mean, half the book is dedicated to telling about working on Perry Mason, and while I enjoy the reruns, it’s not that keen of a read. I mean, how many times do you have to explain to me that Burr worked a crazy schedule and that it took a toll on him and his health? Once ought to do it.
My coworker replied with, “No, he was gay.�
“He was not!�
“Well, that’s what that book is about.�
“Perry Mason? gay? No way.�
“Read the jacket cover.�
And sure enough the jacket cover told of Mr. Burr’s lies about his personal life and that he was gay. So I checked the book out in hopes it would be interesting in a trashy way. Lookit, that’s what Hollywood biographies are for, don’t judge me.
In a way, it’s nice that the book wasn’t all trashy and gossipy. However, the book was boring. I could tell the author had great respect for Raymond Burr, and that’s always nice, but it was kind of too nice. And the author didn’t even go into much about the 30 somethingish odd year relationship that Raymond had with his supposed lover. Eh, like I say, boring. I mean, half the book is dedicated to telling about working on Perry Mason, and while I enjoy the reruns, it’s not that keen of a read. I mean, how many times do you have to explain to me that Burr worked a crazy schedule and that it took a toll on him and his health? Once ought to do it.
February 1, 2022
I was a big fan of Perry Mason and Ironside and I stumbled across something the other day about Raymond Burr that made me want to read this book. I'd give it 2 out of 5 stars. While the facts are interesting, the writing is not, especially in the beginning. Amazing at how kind of boring it is. Boring because he did so much in his early acting years that I'd never heard of. Made dozens of film noir movies that I've never heard of, starring movie stars I've never heard of.
Not only that, but the author of the book tells the story of each movie in great detail, even if Burr only had a small role in it, as he did in most of his early movies. Perhaps the biggest role he had was in Rear Window, which I know well. He has no lines and is only seen from his apartment window throughout the movie, until the end, but the author of the book gives the entire plot of the movie, including what all the other people in other apartments are doing. It's like the author is trying to make more pages in the book
Things get more interesting when he gets cast as Perry Mason and the story behind that and Ironside is interesting. What is interesting about this man is how he fabricated his history to include 3 wives and one son. One wife divorced him after a few months, the other two wives and the son, all of whom died, never existed. The military history he tells, including receiving a purple heart, never happened, but people believed it so much that these appeared in some of his obituaries. Throughout his life he refused to discuss personal matters and it was not until he died that I found out that he was gay and had been living with his partner for 33 years.
He was a strange man who had an amazing work ethic and even worked on his last movie while he was dying of cancer and in excruciating pain, without telling anyone he was sick. He could be ridiculously generous, but he also had a terrible temper. I don't think I would have liked him if I ever met him.
Not only that, but the author of the book tells the story of each movie in great detail, even if Burr only had a small role in it, as he did in most of his early movies. Perhaps the biggest role he had was in Rear Window, which I know well. He has no lines and is only seen from his apartment window throughout the movie, until the end, but the author of the book gives the entire plot of the movie, including what all the other people in other apartments are doing. It's like the author is trying to make more pages in the book
Things get more interesting when he gets cast as Perry Mason and the story behind that and Ironside is interesting. What is interesting about this man is how he fabricated his history to include 3 wives and one son. One wife divorced him after a few months, the other two wives and the son, all of whom died, never existed. The military history he tells, including receiving a purple heart, never happened, but people believed it so much that these appeared in some of his obituaries. Throughout his life he refused to discuss personal matters and it was not until he died that I found out that he was gay and had been living with his partner for 33 years.
He was a strange man who had an amazing work ethic and even worked on his last movie while he was dying of cancer and in excruciating pain, without telling anyone he was sick. He could be ridiculously generous, but he also had a terrible temper. I don't think I would have liked him if I ever met him.
March 9, 2013
As I read this, I kept wondering when the author would get to the point. He never did. The first half of the book was a mishmash and almost impossible to decipher the chronology; even his filmography was confusing. . I started to ask, is this a biography or something else? When I picked it up, I was expecting to learn about "The Secret Life of Raymond Burr". In the end, his life was still a secret. What comes out of this that Raymond Burr was so good at hiding in plain sight, if hiding he was, that it defied detection. The book makes clear that his closest professional associates either knew nothing or weren't talking. As the one constant in Mr. Burr's life from at least 1963 on was Robert Benevides, he shows up in only a few pages. My suspicion is that the author couldn't get a decent interview with him. Although the book wasn't a total waste, in my opinion it really shouldn't have been written. But, here's a thought. Mr. Benevides still lives in Healdsburg at the vineyard, and perhaps the passage of time, or a different interviewer with a different approach or purpose, might get him to talk about what we really wanted to know about when we open a book like this: what was Raymond Burr like as a man, what was it like to live the way they did, and how can their lives together give meaning to out own. Time is running out, and I hope somebody takes the torch and writes the book this should have been.
May 12, 2014
Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a gossip whore. I love to read Hollywood biographies about deceased celebrities, because it is only after they are dead that the really good dirt comes out about them. Hiding In Plain Sight touts itself as revealing the secret life of Raymond Burr. Of course, we all know now that Burr was gay and the book does touch on that subject a bit and his 35 years with partner Robert Benevides, but does not discuss much of that. We never discover how he and Robert met, what their home life was like or any details of his relationships before Robert.
Basically, the book was about Burr's career and the publicity lies he and the studio created when he was first starting out in Hollywood. Disappointing but if one is a fan of Raymond Burr and his Perry Mason character he is most known for playing, then it will be an interesting read, just don't go looking for scandal because you will be sorely disappointed.
Basically, the book was about Burr's career and the publicity lies he and the studio created when he was first starting out in Hollywood. Disappointing but if one is a fan of Raymond Burr and his Perry Mason character he is most known for playing, then it will be an interesting read, just don't go looking for scandal because you will be sorely disappointed.
February 26, 2021
I remember sitting in the living room with my parents and sister the late fifties and early sixties many Saturday nights watching Perry Mason. This biography recalls that time and provides an excellent overview of an actor who became one of the most popular TV stars of that era. Even before that he scored success in films like 's Rear Window, albeit as the heavy rather than the hero. Michael Seth Starr goes beyond Burr's acting persona to explore his secret personal life as one of the most closeted gay actors of that era. The complex nature of Raymond Burr's life and character is displayed in this biography that is both readable and informative.
March 24, 2011
I adore Raymond Burr & his work. Perry Mason is one of my all-time favorite shows. As a straight woman, I was disappointed to find out Ray didn't like girls, but anything biographical written about him is of interest to me. This book was not well-written (add Michael Seth Starr to the long list of cliche kings; every chapter title was a stale cliche), & it didn't tell me much I didn't already know. But I enjoyed reading about Ray's life (although I found it to be quite sad). The author (Starr) was explicitly biased against Raymond Burr. He was almost laughing & pointing at him, ridiculing him for being closeted. I found Starr's writing to be patronizing & judgmental. The photographs alone are reason enough to buy this book on eBay or another second-hand bookseller.
January 15, 2021
Who knew, Raymond Burr was gay? But if you are looking for an in-depth look at his secret gay life you won’t find it in Michael Seth Starr’s “Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr�. This book details Raymond’s public life, but barely touches his gay life. There are references to guys he brought into his life, but it never goes into what relationship he had with them. His long-time companion is mentioned, but again nothing of their personal relationship. Only their public one. You will find out a lot about Raymond, many his accomplishments and 1sts and that makes it worth reading. I do recommend it if you are interested in reading about him. I was just disappointed there was miniscule information on his gay life.
August 23, 2009
Having grown up with Perry Mason, my husband recommended I read this (he read it too). Could have been shortened, but it's a very quick read. Interesting look at how gay actors had to hide themselves and how the press didn't question things. Very interesting.
August 9, 2020
Excellent book about the larger than life (both physically and personally) Raymond Burr, who has always been a favourite actor of mine.
April 7, 2023
Okay book that is worth reading simply because of the fascinating star that's its subject matter and not due to the mediocre writing that is incredibly repetitive and depends too much on gossip or periodical stories.
Raymond Burr was certainly bigger than life and author Starr tries to cover all the bases but fails because he mostly depends on second-hand anecdotes he pulls from magazines. If this book proves anything, it's that you can't trust any print publication, including the New York Times, which all published the same false stories about Burr having multiple marriages and a dead child.
Meanwhile the author piledrives it into our heads from beginning to end that Burr was grossly overweight and cheats at his TV performances by reading his lines from a Prompter. Emmy Award winner? Sure, but Starr ignores that and feels free to criticize the actor while memorializing him. Some of the writer's repeated negative comments are simply unnecessary. Why do we not instead have more outside first-person sources quoted, such as those who knew him best or could add some perspective to Burr's unusual life?
The homosexuality in woven throughout the book but again it's dependent upon whatever articles Starr could find and there are few actual fresh details to let us in on anything about Burr's gay lifestyle. There are hints and whispered, including stupid gossip that the actor would answer his door in a pink apron, but no solid evidence.
On the other hand the book does provide some television history and details about productions. At first it was annoying to see how much of the book was devoted to Burr's Perry Mason series. After all, a biography isn't a book about how television is made, especially when the star is dead and can't comment. But as the years went on in the book Starr did a good job going behind-the-scenes of most of Burr's other series and revivals.
However, there are giant gaps and it's hard to explain how the author failed to give space to one of the greatest Burr films, You're Never Too Young with Jerry Lewis. Starr has no problem rambling about some oldtime films Burr was barely in, but misses explaining anything about his appearances in some of the actor's big movies, including Airplane 2. Obviously the author limited this biography to his own interests and the clippings he could find to borrow from.
It's worth reading if you liked Burr but beware: the man was a fraud and a liar while promoting an image by doing humanitarian work with the Vietnamese, orphans, and handicapped. He amassed a fortune then ignored his family in his will and gave it all to his longtime male lover. If you're looking for a moral, righteous Perry Mason type of life lived you will not find it here--Burr was hiding many unappealing secrets in plain sight.
Raymond Burr was certainly bigger than life and author Starr tries to cover all the bases but fails because he mostly depends on second-hand anecdotes he pulls from magazines. If this book proves anything, it's that you can't trust any print publication, including the New York Times, which all published the same false stories about Burr having multiple marriages and a dead child.
Meanwhile the author piledrives it into our heads from beginning to end that Burr was grossly overweight and cheats at his TV performances by reading his lines from a Prompter. Emmy Award winner? Sure, but Starr ignores that and feels free to criticize the actor while memorializing him. Some of the writer's repeated negative comments are simply unnecessary. Why do we not instead have more outside first-person sources quoted, such as those who knew him best or could add some perspective to Burr's unusual life?
The homosexuality in woven throughout the book but again it's dependent upon whatever articles Starr could find and there are few actual fresh details to let us in on anything about Burr's gay lifestyle. There are hints and whispered, including stupid gossip that the actor would answer his door in a pink apron, but no solid evidence.
On the other hand the book does provide some television history and details about productions. At first it was annoying to see how much of the book was devoted to Burr's Perry Mason series. After all, a biography isn't a book about how television is made, especially when the star is dead and can't comment. But as the years went on in the book Starr did a good job going behind-the-scenes of most of Burr's other series and revivals.
However, there are giant gaps and it's hard to explain how the author failed to give space to one of the greatest Burr films, You're Never Too Young with Jerry Lewis. Starr has no problem rambling about some oldtime films Burr was barely in, but misses explaining anything about his appearances in some of the actor's big movies, including Airplane 2. Obviously the author limited this biography to his own interests and the clippings he could find to borrow from.
It's worth reading if you liked Burr but beware: the man was a fraud and a liar while promoting an image by doing humanitarian work with the Vietnamese, orphans, and handicapped. He amassed a fortune then ignored his family in his will and gave it all to his longtime male lover. If you're looking for a moral, righteous Perry Mason type of life lived you will not find it here--Burr was hiding many unappealing secrets in plain sight.
March 19, 2022
Joanne Norton Fair book. Raymond Burr was a complex, intelligent and very hard working actor. He deserves another biography which describes his inner life- his spiritual needs, his friendship with Pope John XXIII, his psychological profile and his change from a dedicated VietNam supporter to a peace advocate. In this book, he is described as someone who did not easily take another's advice. The sad part is that his refraining from having his kidney surgery on time hurried his death. And with so many loving friends, it is sad their was not an intervention of sorts about his eating habits. And also the thinking behind his declaration later in life that the Perry Mason connection ruined his life as he said he would rather have had a wife and children. Much also could be told of how his "intensive celebrity status" affected him as it has others. A longer life could also have given us an autobiography which could describe more fully this wonderful, caring individual. (less)
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April 27, 2023
From the time I was very young, I lived across the street from two gentlemen who were "together". My best friend when I was in my early teens .. her mother and "aunt" ..... LOL were "together" so from an early age my Gaydar was active and scanning and hardly ever wrong. WHAT DO YOU MEAN ROCK HUDSON IS GAY ..... he may not have seemed it on screen but in person at a play where I lived .. back stage .... GAYDAR was on full alert and I knew.
Perry Mason started when I was 6 yrs old and ran til I was 15 ..... I remember thinking in the mid 60's ... Raymond Burr is gay?? I dont think anyone really knew until way much later. But for me .. it didnt matter.
Moving to another subject .. his lying about his service record ... my mother and uncle were in the war ... they knew people who knew people and we all knew he was never in the Can or US military ... EVER. So for us much of his personal info was probably BS as well.
This book only solidifies the lies and the truths. Interesting to read but figured most of it out 50 years ago.
For me
Perry Mason started when I was 6 yrs old and ran til I was 15 ..... I remember thinking in the mid 60's ... Raymond Burr is gay?? I dont think anyone really knew until way much later. But for me .. it didnt matter.
Moving to another subject .. his lying about his service record ... my mother and uncle were in the war ... they knew people who knew people and we all knew he was never in the Can or US military ... EVER. So for us much of his personal info was probably BS as well.
This book only solidifies the lies and the truths. Interesting to read but figured most of it out 50 years ago.
For me
Read
April 4, 2024I am so disappointed in this pseudo-biography. I didn't know that it was written by a TV personality/trash talking non-writer. How disrespectful he is! His wimpy attempts to be funny about things that are not funny are really pathetic and show that he is lacking basic humanity.
There is a lot of information in this book, if you can call it that, and i did learn about Raymond Burr but it could have been written so much better and with a better pen.
So what if he lied about his life or his situation? it was his prerogative. It didn't hurt anyone else and some lies will. What's the big deal? At least he found some happiness and the author begrudges that and makes fun of him for his weight at every chance. Did he get some malicious charge out of that?
I don't understand cutting other people down for your own amusement. I rail against it all the time. Someday karma is coming. Remember the story of Appointment in Samarra?
There is a lot of information in this book, if you can call it that, and i did learn about Raymond Burr but it could have been written so much better and with a better pen.
So what if he lied about his life or his situation? it was his prerogative. It didn't hurt anyone else and some lies will. What's the big deal? At least he found some happiness and the author begrudges that and makes fun of him for his weight at every chance. Did he get some malicious charge out of that?
I don't understand cutting other people down for your own amusement. I rail against it all the time. Someday karma is coming. Remember the story of Appointment in Samarra?
January 16, 2023
A bit of a disappointment. I was expecting some depth, but it was mostly just the surface with the veneer removed. Not really much to the "Secret Life" here except an acknowledgement of Burr's sexuality (and even that is put on the back burner for the most part).
One aggravating part about the writing is the author (repeatedly) pointing out any that his "official" biography and details from his early life, as promoted by the Hollywood publicity machine, was false. Burr kept repeating it throughout his life and even adding to it at times, but I got the fact that it wasn't true the first ten times Starr points it out.
I did appreciate the overview of Burr's career. I didn't have much knowledge about that nor his work in Vietnam nor his holdings in Fiji and the vineyard where he died in 1993.
One aggravating part about the writing is the author (repeatedly) pointing out any that his "official" biography and details from his early life, as promoted by the Hollywood publicity machine, was false. Burr kept repeating it throughout his life and even adding to it at times, but I got the fact that it wasn't true the first ten times Starr points it out.
I did appreciate the overview of Burr's career. I didn't have much knowledge about that nor his work in Vietnam nor his holdings in Fiji and the vineyard where he died in 1993.
December 5, 2023
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr by Michael Seth Starr.
As someone who enjoyed watching Perry Mason, Ironside, and quite frankly Godzilla: King of the Monsters, I was looking forward to learning more about the man behind the characters.
Burr's acting career was covered well, but because Burr himself made up most of his personal life story (due to him trying to hide his homosexuality) the author wasn't able to add much to Burr's life story. There were some nice photos throughout that covered his acting career.
I must note that as the author used some bad "fat puns" throughout the book I assume he didn't actually like the man he was writing about. Overall, an okay read. I gave it 3 stars.
As someone who enjoyed watching Perry Mason, Ironside, and quite frankly Godzilla: King of the Monsters, I was looking forward to learning more about the man behind the characters.
Burr's acting career was covered well, but because Burr himself made up most of his personal life story (due to him trying to hide his homosexuality) the author wasn't able to add much to Burr's life story. There were some nice photos throughout that covered his acting career.
I must note that as the author used some bad "fat puns" throughout the book I assume he didn't actually like the man he was writing about. Overall, an okay read. I gave it 3 stars.
June 20, 2018
This book is not well written and is often repetitive. It is a short book and could have been shorter still. But if you like Raymond Burr and are interested in knowing more about him, THIS IS THE BOOK! Starr did a stellar job of reporting! (No pun intended!) You will learn all that there is to know about Burr. Despite my criticisms, I read it quickly and compulsively. I enjoyed it and learned much about Burr.
January 5, 2021
A well-researched and chronological exploration of a fascinating person. Burr was not just a successful actor, but a genuinely kind person, philanthropist, and smart businessman. He had a great life with his decades-long partner, even if the times forced him to conceal his sexual orientation with an ever-increasing fantastical biography. Unlike most Hollywood stars, he would have made a great friend.
October 13, 2021
I thoroughly appreciated the research Starr performed here in fact-checking Burr's (and Burr's publicists') fables about the actor's life--he didn't have three wives (only one, never mentioned by him) and he didn't have a young son that died. At times the prose is rough and rushed and the fat jokes are hard to take after a while. I would have liked to know more about Burr's orchids, his "adopted" children, and his activities in the Azores.
March 4, 2023
For Perry Mason fans ( I raise my hand), this is wonderful reading. His acting talent is given full description but it is the enigma he created about his personal life that is truly captivating. Although a homosexual at a time that meant career destruction, Burr deliberately created falsehoods about marriages, children and military service that in another era could have invited close scrutiny that could have led to the secret he so wanted to conceal.
May 29, 2023
A secret life
Raymond Burr lived a secret life for all of his 76 years. At the time, it would have been a career killer to come out as gay. He invented a fantasy past that included two ex-wives who died and a son who also tragically died. None of it was true, nor were the stories of his military past. But, his life was interesting enough as it was. He did a lot of good in his life and should be remembered for that.
Raymond Burr lived a secret life for all of his 76 years. At the time, it would have been a career killer to come out as gay. He invented a fantasy past that included two ex-wives who died and a son who also tragically died. None of it was true, nor were the stories of his military past. But, his life was interesting enough as it was. He did a lot of good in his life and should be remembered for that.
January 24, 2024
I am a big fan of The Perry Mason show, and of most of the other works of Raymond Burr, (with the exception of Ironsides-ugh!). As I have re-discovered Perry Mason on TUBI, I wanted to find out more about the actor and went in search of some information. During my search, I found this book and I really enjoyed it. It is a very light, very simple "biography" of Raymond Burr. This book is clearly made for somebody like me, who is already a fan and wanted to know more.
June 16, 2023
When I first started reding this book I thought Raymond Burr (1917-1993) had written it. I learned that the book was copywritten in 2008. Thus, it was written after Reymond's death and it's all third party. From interviews the book is loaded with information about Raymond's acting career and his personal life. I would have preferred an interview from Raymond only.
August 6, 2024
The author seems to be fixated on Raymond Burr’s weight. In the FIRST 25 pages, he mentioned “formidable size� “girth� “hulking� “hefty� “chubby� “fat�, and other statements 23 times. In the first 25 pages. This continues throughout the book. He also felt the need to actually give the full synopsis of almost every movie Raymond Burr was in. It got quite tedious.
December 2, 2023
I didn't learn much new in the biography. Many of his earlier movies had too much detail for me. I have been a Raymond Burr fan for years so I wanted to read this book. He dealt with a hard life and still had a once of humor and took care of many people.
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