Georgia Burke facts for kids

Georgia Burke (born February 27, 1878 – died November 28, 1985) was an American actress. She performed on television, radio, and in Broadway theatre shows. Her career lasted from the 1930s to the 1960s. In 1934, Burke first appeared on Broadway in a play called They Shall Not Die. She won an award in 1944 for her role in the play Decision. Burke also acted in a big international show of Porgy and Bess in 1952. She played a nurse in the radio show When a Girl Marries for 18 years. She also performed in the 1944 Broadway play Anna Lucasta and its movie version in 1958.

Georgia Burke was one of the first actresses to play certain types of roles in early radio shows like Betty and Bob. She passed away in 1985 when she was 107 years old. She died in Manhattan, New York City.

Early Life and Start in Acting

Georgia Burke was born on February 27, 1878. She was born in either La Grange or Atlanta, Georgia. Her father was a minister and her mother was a nurse. She went to Claflin University and New Orleans University. After college, she worked as a public school teacher in Wilson, North Carolina.

She left her teaching job after an unfair event involving another teacher. She then moved to New York City. In 1929, she studied at Columbia University.

One day, she visited a rehearsal for a show called Blackbirds of 1928. A friend encouraged her to sing St. Louis Blues. The director, Lew Leslie, heard her voice. He asked her to join the choir for the show. She took a year off from teaching. She never went back to her old job.

Performances

Television Shows

• The Big Story
• Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Little Foxes (1956)
• ABC Theater - If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band

Movies

• Anna Lucasta

Theatre Plays

• Blackbirds of 1928
• Decision - 1944
• The Grass Harp
• Porgy and Bess
• Five Star Final
• Savage Rhythm
• Anna Lucasta
• In Abraham's Bosom
• Old Man Satan
• They Shall Not Die
• Mamba's Daughters
• Cabin in the Sky
• No Time for Comedy
• Interlock
• The Sun Field
• Mandingo
• Tambourines to Glory
• The Wisteria Trees

Radio Shows

• John Henry: Black River Giant
• When a Girl Marries
• New World A-Comin'