Billie Burke

Glamorous light comedienne who, in the midst of a successful Broadway career, entered films at the behest of Thomas Ince in 1916. After a period away from films, Burke returned to features in the early 1930s in character roles. She is perhaps best known as Glinda, the Good Witch of the East, in the timeless "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Burke enjoyed great popularity as a featured player over the next two decades, often playing dithery, aristocratic types. Married to impresario Florenz Ziegfeld from 1914 until his death in 1932.

• Also Credited As:
  Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke
• Born:
  August 7, 1884 in Washington, DC, USA
• Died:
  May 14, 1970.
• Job Titles:
  Actor, Author

Family

• Father: William Burke.

Significant Others

• Companion: Dorothy Arzner.

Milestones

• 1903 Stage acting debut
• 1914 Married Florenz Ziegfeld
• 1916 Film debut, Peggy
• 1932 Returned to feature acting; played character roles for the rest of her career, beginning with A Bill of Divorcement
• 1939 Played Glinda in The Wizard of Oz
• 1960 Appeared in last film, Pepe