Frankie Burke (June 6, 1915 – April 7, 1983) was a Hollywood actor, best known for his appearance as a member of The East Side Kids.
Early life Burke was born Frankie Vaselle and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His name was changed when he began working in films. Burke went to P.S. 25. He grew up watching James Cagney on film in local theaters and, having been told many times how much he resembled him, figured if Cagney could become famous, so could he. Burke sold newspapers on the street corners before deciding to hitchhike to Hollywood in 1937 to meet Cagney, but when the first attempt failed, he went back to Brooklyn.
In 1937, Burke worked as a bellhop at a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Life in Hollywood He was discovered by a Warner Brothers talent scout, out searching for young men who resembled Cagney for a role in 1938's Angels with Dirty Faces. He went on to do eighteen more films, several of which were uncredited, before his last role in 1941's Shadow of the Thin Man.
Death Burke died of lung cancer in 1983. He was survived by one son.
Filmography Year Film Role Notes 1938 Angels with Dirty Faces Young Rocky 1939 Off the Record Reform school inmate Uncredited 1939 Nancy Drew... Reporter Bellboy Uncredited 1939 The Adventures of Jane Arden Western Union messenger Uncredited 1939 You Can't Get Away with Murder Billiard player Uncredited 1939 Women in the Wind Johnnie 1939 Sweepstakes Winner Chalky Williams 1939 Hell's Kitchen Soap 1939 Everybody's Hobby C.C.C. Youth Uncredited 1939 You Can't Get Away with Murder Billiard Player Uncredited 1939 Angels Wash Their Faces Reform School Boy Making Knife Uncredited 1939 Pride of the Blue Grass Willie Hobson 1940 East Side Kids Skinny 1940 Boys of the City Skinny 1940 Fugitive from a Prison Camp Sobby Taylor 1940 The Quarterback 'Slats' Finney 1941 Ride, Kelly, Ride Skeeziks O'Day 1941 Model Wife Messenger boy Uncredited 1941 Shadow of the Thin Man Bobby Burns Uncredited, final film role
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