Chris Burke (actor): Difference between revisions
Apokryltaros (talk | contribs) m Undid revision 409966577 by 192.193.171.150 (talk) |
Reinstating valid add with link. |
||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
Currently, Burke tours the U.S. with his 4-piece folk band. He sings with his twin friends, Joe and John DeMasi. The DeMasi brothers were music counselors at the Town of [[Hempstead (town), New York|Hempstead]]'s ANCHOR program for children with disabilities. The band has released several albums, and has even appeared on television performing their signature song, "Celebrate." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJFSpkxjtY&feature=related |title=Corky From “Life Goes On” Rocks Out With His Band |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2010-01-01 |accessdate=2010-01-01}}</ref> |
Currently, Burke tours the U.S. with his 4-piece folk band. He sings with his twin friends, Joe and John DeMasi. The DeMasi brothers were music counselors at the Town of [[Hempstead (town), New York|Hempstead]]'s ANCHOR program for children with disabilities. The band has released several albums, and has even appeared on television performing their signature song, "Celebrate." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJFSpkxjtY&feature=related |title=Corky From “Life Goes On” Rocks Out With His Band |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2010-01-01 |accessdate=2010-01-01}}</ref> |
||
In 2009 he codirected a documentary, ''White Water Buddies'', about a raft trip he took with his friend Adam Madrid.<ref>http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article1040483.ece</ref> |
|||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Revision as of 19:15, 8 February 2011
 |
Chris Burke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Christopher Joseph Burke |
| Other names | Chris Burke |
| Years active | 1989—present |
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Burke (born August 26, 1965, in Point Lookout, New York) is an American actor, living with Down syndrome, who has become best known for his character Charles "Corky" Thatcher on the television series Life Goes On.
Early years
Burke is the youngest of four children of Marian Burke, a retired trade-show manager, and Frank Burke, a retired NYPD inspector. Burke has Down Syndrome, and his parents were told to institutionalize him when he was born, but they decided to raise him at home and nurture his talents. He was encouraged to follow his career objectives no matter how nontraditional they seemed for a young man with Down Syndrome. His siblings also worked with him.
In the early 1980s, public schools were not mainstreaming students with disabilities into the general population and there were no good private education programs for students with disabilities in the area, so Burke was eventually sent to board at the Don Guanella School[1] in Springfield, Pennsylvania, and he graduated in 1985. After graduation he worked as an elevator operator and did volunteer work.
Performing
Burke first set his sights on becoming a tap dancer. He later switched to acting while at the Don Guanella School. He was further inspired by attending night classes, going through auditions, writing scripts, and reading books.
Burke got his first acting job in the ABC TV movie Desperate. Network executives at ABC were impressed by his performance and created Life Goes On with Burke's character as the main role. Life Goes On propelled Burke into fame and wide recognition. Burke made several guest appearances in Touched by an Angel as Taylor, an angel who has Down syndrome.
Down syndrome work
Speaking
Burke delivers inspirational speeches. He is the goodwill ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society.[2] He is also a spokesperson for National Down Syndrome Congress.[3]
Other
Currently, Burke tours the U.S. with his 4-piece folk band. He sings with his twin friends, Joe and John DeMasi. The DeMasi brothers were music counselors at the Town of Hempstead's ANCHOR program for children with disabilities. The band has released several albums, and has even appeared on television performing their signature song, "Celebrate." [4]
In 2009 he codirected a documentary, White Water Buddies, about a raft trip he took with his friend Adam Madrid.[5]
References
- ^ http://www.cssmrserv.org/dgv.htm
- ^ National Down Syndrome Society
- ^ National Down Syndrome Congress
- ^ "Corky From "Life Goes On" Rocks Out With His Band". Youtube.com. 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
- ^ http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article1040483.ece