Overview

Billie Burke (born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke on August 7, 1884, in Washington, D.C.; died May 14, 1970, in Los Angeles, California) was an American actress renowned for her stage, film, and television performances. Her father was a singer and clown. She spent her early years touring Europe before settling in London. She debuted on stage in 1903 and came to America in 1907. Burke married Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. in 1914. She is best remembered for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939). She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ‘Merrily We Live’ (1938). In addition to her film work, Burke had a radio show, ‘The Billie Burke Show,’ and a television show, ‘At Home with Billie Burke,’ making her one of the first female talk show hosts. She passed away from natural causes at the age of 85.

What Is Billy Burke’s Net Worth?

As of 2025, Billy Burke’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his extensive acting career spanning film and television. Burke has accumulated his wealth through various acting roles, including his prominent role as Charlie Swan in the “Twilight Saga” film series, his leading roles in TV series like “Revolution,” “Zoo,” and “Fire Country,” and significant roles in other television shows and films.

Billy Burke’s Career and Earnings

Burke’s acting career began in the early 1990s, with his initial roles providing foundational income. He appeared in films like “Daredreamer” and “To Cross the Rubicon,” which, although not immediately lucrative, marked the start of his professional journey.

His film career gained momentum in the late 1990s with roles in “Without Limits” and “Mafia!” in 1998, followed by “Komodo” and “Dill Scallion” in 1999. These roles contributed incrementally to his growing net worth.

In the early 2000s, Burke continued to build his filmography with roles in “The Independent,” “Along Came a Spider,” “Lost Junction,” and “Ladder 49.” These appearances helped to solidify his presence in the industry and increase his earnings.

A significant turning point in Burke’s career came with his role as Charlie Swan in the “Twilight Saga.” The first film, “Twilight,” was released in 2008, and Burke reprised his role in the sequels “New Moon,” “Eclipse,” “Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” and “Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” These films were box office successes, and Burke’s recurring role provided a steady and substantial income stream. For instance, “Twilight” grossed over $393 million worldwide, contributing significantly to Burke’s financial stability during that period.

Simultaneous to his work on “Twilight,” Burke also appeared in the psychological thriller “Untraceable” in 2008, playing Detective Eric Box. This role further diversified his income sources during that year.

In the early 2010s, Burke broadened his film portfolio with roles in “Removal,” “Drive Angry,” and “Red Riding Hood” in 2011. These roles maintained his visibility and continued to add to his earnings. “Red Riding Hood,” directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the director of the original “Twilight” film, helped to solidify Burke’s standing in the industry.

In 2012, Burke starred in the film adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s novel “Freaky Deaky,” playing Chris Mankowski. This role helped to diversify his income beyond the “Twilight” series.

Following “Freaky Deaky,” Burke appeared in “Angels in Stardust” and “Highland Park” in 2013, further contributing to his earnings.

In 2015, Burke took on the leading role in the dramedy “Divine Access,” where he also served as a co-producer. This dual role potentially increased his earnings and provided him with more creative control.

The supernatural horror film “Lights Out,” released in 2016, added to Burke’s diverse filmography and income streams.

Subsequent film credits include the action thriller “Breaking In,” starring Gabrielle Union, and the animated film “Batman: The Long Halloween,” where he voiced the character James Gordon. These roles continued to support his income and maintain his presence in the industry.

Burke’s transition to television also played a crucial role in his career and earnings. His early TV appearances in the mid-1990s, with guest roles on “Party of Five” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” marked his entry into the television industry. These roles, though minor, were important steps in building his resume and network.

Further guest roles on “Strange Luck,” “Vanishing Son,” “All-American Girl,” and another episode of “Party of Five” led to appearances in television films such as “The Ultimate Lie,” “Gone in the Night,” and “Don’t Look Down.” These roles added to his income and broadened his exposure.

Burke’s first main role on a TV series came in 2000, playing Dr. Abe Matthews on the ABC medical drama “Wonderland.” Although the show was short-lived, it provided a significant boost to his career and earnings at the time.

Following “Wonderland,” Burke starred opposite Dana Delany in the ABC television film “Final Jeopardy.” This role further enhanced his profile and income.

From 2002 to 2003, Burke played Gary Matheson on the action drama series “24.” His recurring role on “24” significantly increased his earnings and established him as a recognizable face on television.

Following “24,” Burke had guest roles on “Karen Sisco,” “Gilmore Girls,” “The Jury,” “Monk,” and “Law & Order.” These guest appearances provided consistent income and kept him active in the industry.

From 2008 to 2009, Burke played Jack Newman in the TBS sitcom “My Boys.” This role diversified his television work and added to his income.

During this period, he also appeared in an episode of the science-fiction series “Fringe,” further expanding his television portfolio.

From 2009 to 2012, Burke played Phillip Stroh on the police procedural series “The Closer,” and from 2010 to 2012, he played Gabriel Dean on the crime drama “Rizzoli & Isles.” These recurring roles provided steady income and increased his visibility.

A significant milestone in Burke’s television career came in 2012 when he began playing the lead role of Miles Matheson on the NBC science-fiction series “Revolution.” The show, about events occurring in the aftermath of a permanent global electrical-power blackout, ran for two seasons. As a lead actor, Burke’s salary would have been substantial, making this a major contributor to his net worth. Although the show was canceled in 2014, it provided a significant income stream for two years.

Following “Revolution,” Burke reprised his role from “The Closer,” Phillip Stroh, on the spinoff series “Major Crimes,” playing the character from 2015 until the show’s end in 2018. This recurring role continued to provide him with steady income.

From 2015 to 2017, Burke starred as veterinary pathologist Dr. Mitch Morgan on the CBS series “Zoo,” based on the James Patterson novel. As a lead actor in a network television series, Burke would have earned a significant salary, making this a key contributor to his net worth during those years. For example, lead actors in similar network dramas could earn anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 per episode, depending on their experience and the show’s success.

In 2020, Burke had recurring roles on “9-1-1: Lone Star” and “Most Dangerous Game.” These roles added to his income and maintained his presence on television.

In 2021, he played the main role of Hank Russell in the Netflix limited series “Maid.” As a lead in a Netflix series, Burke’s salary would have been substantial, further boosting his net worth. Netflix is known for paying competitive salaries to attract top talent.

Burke began another main role in 2022 on the CBS series “Fire Country,” playing Edgewater, California fire chief Vince Leone. As a lead actor on a CBS series, Burke’s annual income is expected to be substantial. Lead actors in network dramas often earn significant salaries, especially when the show is successful and runs for multiple seasons. His earnings are likely to be between $80,000 to $200,000 per episode, significantly contributing to his net worth as “Fire Country” continues.

Real Estate and Personal Life

In 2008, Burke married British actress Pollyanna Rose. Burke and Rose had a daughter named Bluesy before divorcing in 2017. Amidst their 2017 divorce, Billy and Pollyanna offered their home in Sherman Oaks for sale for $2.75 million. They bought the home in 2010 for $1.95 million. The Sherman Oaks property, acquired for $1.95 million in 2010 and listed for $2.75 million in 2017, highlights Burke’s real estate investments. The potential $800,000 profit (before taxes and fees) from the sale would have further contributed to his net worth.

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