The road was hardly smooth leading there — he first had to live through the Great Depression and a stomach injury sustained while he was in the navy, stationed in Okinawa in World War II — but Burr's will would not be denied. As the child matured into a man, he found he possessed an array of commanding traits — tall and oak-tree solid, he had a voice to match his imposing frame. This led to his fair share of appearances as the "bad guy," including the district attorney who gets Montgomery Clift sent to the chair in A Place in the Sun (1951), and the deeply shady Lars Thorwald in the Hitchcock classic Rear Window (1954), but it wasn't long before people took notice of another, equally compelling side to Burr. It was this side that allowed him his great success as Mason, a role that made use of his quiet honour while still harnessing his enormous physical presence.

It's worth noting that Burr fashioned one of TV's most beloved characters out of a criminal defense attorney — one of the most routinely despised real-life professions you could imagine. Perry Mason's run of nine seasons and 22 madefor- TV movies made it the most successful legal television program of its time. And even if that record no longer stands, the show's influence on the genre is undeniable.

As renowned as that role was, Burr's life was a lot more than just one act. His philanthropic work was wide-reaching and included extremely long-term commitments. A closeted homosexual for much of his life, Burr had a relationship with actor Robert Benevides that lasted 33 years. Their life together included many shared passions, such as growing orchids and establishing a vineyard that still bears his name today.

For any doubters of the range and capabilities of this man, allow us this one final exhibit. In 1956, the little-known Japanese film Gojira was to be repackaged for U.S. audiences. To do the job, studio execs cast Burr as reporter Steve Martin, an American overseas who witnesses the horrific destruction of Tokyo at the hands of a giant, radioactive, fire-breathing monster. And so it was that Burr brought Godzilla to America.

Thirty years later, for Godzilla 1985, he reprised this role, although in the dialogue he was only referred to as "Mr. Martin." It seems there was another, very popular actor by the same name. We're guessing Raymond Burr had no problem with that whatsoever.