---
name: "Billie Burke"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/billie-burke"
fi1m_id: "billie-burke"
imdb_id: "nm0000992"
tmdb_id: 9071
wikidata_id: "Q235639"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "7 August 1884"
died: "14 May 1970"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 84
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-09-20T02:01:02.101048+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Billie Burke

## Identity

Billie Burke

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/billie-burke
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** billie-burke
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000992
- **TMDB ID:** 9071
- **Wikidata ID:** Q235639
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Burke, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235639, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000992/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9071

Actor. Born 7 August 1884 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Died 14 May 1970.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 7 August 1884, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- **Died:** 14 May 1970
- **Active:** 1939–1950
- **Also known as:** Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, Miss Billie Burke
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 84, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 91 (1), 1950s 77 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Burke, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235639, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000992/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9071

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*The Wizard of Oz*](https://film.one/film/the-wizard-of-oz.md) (91)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Billie Burke

> Billie Burke made a career of women who flutter: the dithering wives and mothers of light comedy, and one good witch in a bubble. It was a narrow trade, and within it she was precise, funny and, when a director let her, quietly authoritative.

Glinda arrives in a bubble and does not hurry. That is the whole of Billie Burke's method, and it is worth watching for. Her women twitter and dither, and the joke in most of her comedies is that they never quite reach the point; Glinda is the same voice put to a different use, so that the fussing becomes a kind of grace. Our review of *The Wizard of Oz* (1939) said she offers a gentler authority than Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch, and that is right, but gentle is not the same as slight. Watching it again, we were surprised by how much of the film's early safety is hers: a child who has just been through a tornado is told, at a pace that refuses to be alarmed, that she is among friends, and we believed it.

She was a stage star long before she was a screen one, in London from 1903 and on Broadway from 1907, and she went into silent films in 1916 as one of the highest-paid actresses of the day. Then she left, and came back after the crash of 1929 to find the leading roles gone. What she found instead was the character part, and *Dinner at Eight* (1933) showed how well it fitted. From then on she was the wife, the mother, the aunt: Clara Topper in Hal Roach's *Topper* (1937) and its sequels, prim and put upon while Cary Grant and Constance Bennett haunt the house; Emily Kilbourne in *Merrily We Live* (1938); Doris Dunstan in Vincente Minnelli's *Father of the Bride* (1950) and its sequel. She was still working in 1960, for John Ford, in *Sergeant Rutledge*.

The trade was narrow and she knew it. She traced her bird-witted ladies to a stage part, and she said of her career, "I generally did light, gay things. I often had cute plays but never a fine one." The limitation shows. In *Father of the Bride* she flutters and frets as the groom's mother, and the part asks nothing more of her; Minnelli has Spencer Tracy to worry about and Joan Bennett to steady him, and Burke is furniture, expensive and well placed. Yet the dithering is exact. She times the fluster so that the sense arrives a beat after the words, which is why a stock figure in her hands is funny rather than merely silly, and why the same instrument could be slowed down and made kind for Oz.

See *The Wizard of Oz* for Glinda, then *Dinner at Eight* for the woman underneath the wand. By her own account she never had a fine one. She had Glinda, and for most people that has done just as well.

## Biography

Billie Burke was an American actress known for her work on Broadway and in film. Born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, she made her stage debut in 1903 and became a Broadway star before entering silent films in the 1910s.

She is best known to modern audiences for playing Glinda the Good Witch of the North in *The Wizard of Oz* (1939). Earlier in her screen career she appeared in *Dinner at Eight* (1933) and the *Topper* series, and she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for *Merrily We Live* (1938).

Burke was married to Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. from 1914 until his death in 1932. Her later film roles included *Father of the Bride* (1950) and *Sergeant Rutledge* (1960).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Father of the Bride* (1950), Fi1m 77, as Doris Dunstan — [page](https://film.one/film/father-of-the-bride.md)
- *The Wizard of Oz* (1939), Fi1m 91, as Glinda — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wizard-of-oz.md)

## Complete filmography (86)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Dark Side of the Rainbow* (2000), as Glinda (archive footage)
- *That's Entertainment! III* (1994), as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Pepe* (1960), as Billie Burke
- *Sergeant Rutledge* (1960), as Mrs. Cordelia Fosgate
- *The Young Philadelphians* (1959), as Mrs. J. Arthur Allen
- *77 Sunset Strip* (1958), series, Actor
- *The Star Wagon* (1957), as Mrs. Rutledge
- *Matinee Theater* (1955), series, Actor
- *Small Town Girl* (1953), as Mrs. Livingston
- *Doc Corkle* (1952), series, as Melinda
- *Father's Little Dividend* (1951), as Doris Dunstan
- *Three Husbands* (1950), as Jenny Bard Whittaker
- *Father of the Bride* (1950), as Doris Dunstan — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/father-of-the-bride.md)
- *The Boy From Indiana* (1950), as Zelda Bagley
- *And Baby Makes Three* (1949), as Mrs. Marvin Fletcher
- *The Barkleys of Broadway* (1949), as Mrs. Livingston Belney
- *Billie Gets Her Man* (1948), as Billie Baxter
- *The Bachelor's Daughters* (1946), as Molly Burns
- *Breakfast in Hollywood* (1946), as Mrs. Frances Cartwright
- *The Cheaters* (1945), as Clara Pidgeon
- *Swing Out, Sister* (1945), as Jessica Mariman
- *Gildersleeve on Broadway* (1943), as Mrs. Laura Chandler
- *You're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith* (1943), as Aunt Harriet Crandall
- *So's Your Uncle* (1943), as Aunt Minerva
- *Hi Diddle Diddle* (1943), as Mrs. Prescott
- *Girl Trouble* (1942), as Celeste Rowland
- *They All Kissed the Bride* (1942), as Mrs. Drew
- *In This Our Life* (1942), as Lavinia Timberlake
- *What's Cookin'?* (1942), as Agatha Courtney
- *The Man Who Came to Dinner* (1941), as Daisy Stanley
- *One Night In Lisbon* (1941), as Catherine Enfilden
- *Topper Returns* (1941), as Mrs. Clara Topper
- *The Wild Man of Borneo* (1941), as Bernice Marshall, Boardinghouse Keeper
- *Hullabaloo* (1940), as Penny Merriweather
- *Dulcy* (1940), as Eleanor Forbes
- *The Captain is a Lady* (1940), as Blossy Stort
- *Irene* (1940), as Mrs. Herman Vincent
- *And One Was Beautiful* (1940), as Julia Lattimer
- *The Ghost Comes Home* (1940), as Cora Adams
- *Remember?* (1939), as Mrs. Bronson
- *Eternally Yours* (1939), as Aunt Abby
- *The Wizard of Oz* (1939), as Glinda — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wizard-of-oz.md)
- *Bridal Suite* (1939), as Mrs. Lillian McGill
- *Zenobia* (1939), as Mrs. Tibbett
- *Topper Takes a Trip* (1938), as Mrs. Clara Topper
- *The Young in Heart* (1938), as Marmy Carleton
- *Merrily We Live* (1938), as Mrs. Emily Kilbourne
- *Everybody Sing* (1938), as Diana Bellaire
- *Navy Blue and Gold* (1937), as Mrs. Alyce Gates
- *The Bride Wore Red* (1937), as Contessa di Meina
- *Topper* (1937), as Mrs. Topper
- *Parnell* (1937), as Clara Wood
- *Craig's Wife* (1936), as Mrs. Frazier
- *Piccadilly Jim* (1936), as Eugenia Willis, Nesta's Sister
- *My American Wife* (1936), as Mrs. Robert Cantillon
- *Splendor* (1935), as Clarissa
- *A Feather in Her Hat* (1935), as Julia Trent Anders
- *She Couldn't Take It* (1935), as Mrs. Daniel Van Dyke
- *Doubting Thomas* (1935), as Paula Brown
- *Becky Sharp* (1935), as Lady Bareacres
- *After Office Hours* (1935), as Mrs. Norwood
- *Society Doctor* (1935), as Mrs. Crane
- *Forsaking All Others* (1934), as Aunt Paula
- *We're Rich Again* (1934), as Linda Page
- *Where Sinners Meet* (1934), as Eustasia
- *Finishing School* (1934), as Mrs. Radcliffe
- *Dinner at Eight* (1933), as Millicent Jordan
- *Only Yesterday* (1933), as Julia Warren
- *Christopher Strong* (1933), as Lady Elaine Strong
- *A Bill of Divorcement* (1932), as Meg Fairfield
- *The Education of Elizabeth* (1921), as Elizabeth Banks
- *The Frisky Mrs. Johnson* (1920), as Belle Johnson
- *Away Goes Prudence* (1920), as Prudence Thorne
- *Wanted: A Husband* (1919), as Amanda Darcy Cole
- *Sadie Love* (1919), as Sadie Love
- *The Misleading Widow* (1919), as Betty Taradine
- *Good Gracious, Annabelle* (1919), as Annabelle Leigh
- *The Make-Believe Wife* (1918), as Phyllis Ashbrook
- *In Pursuit of Polly* (1918), as Polly Marsden
- *Let's Get a Divorce* (1918), as Mme. Cyprienne Marcey
- *Eve's Daughter* (1918), as Irene Simpson-Bates
- *The Land of Promise* (1917), as Nora Marsh
- *Arms and the Girl* (1917), as Ruth Sherwood
- *The Mysterious Miss Terry* (1917), as Mavis Terry
- *Gloria's Romance* (1916), as Gloria Stafford (as Miss Billie Burke)
- *Peggy* (1916), as Peggy Cameron

## Gallery

- ![Billie Burke](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-31003cbfb253.jpg) Billie Burke — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Billie_Burke.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Promotional postcard of Billie Burke (1907)](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-a02596b86796.jpg) Promotional postcard of Billie Burke (1907) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/1907-09-05_Miss_Billie_Burke_A.jpg/1280px-1907-09-05_Miss_Billie_Burke_A.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Caricature of Billie Burke by Ralph Barton (1925)](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-aefe3690054b.jpg) Caricature of Billie Burke by Ralph Barton (1925) — Ralph Barton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/BillieBurkeByRalphBarton.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![John Drew and Billie Burke, stage actor and actress Subjects: actors, actresses, plays (1908)](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-81eadc5f1274.jpg) John Drew and Billie Burke, stage actor and actress Subjects: actors, actresses, plays (1908) — Studio of Napoleon Sarony, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/John_Drew_and_Billie_Burke%2C_stage_actor_and_actress_%28SAYRE_647%29.jpg/1280px-John_Drew_and_Billie_Burke%2C_stage_actor_and_actress_%28SAYRE_647%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Billie Burke](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-a097ce5a4b5e.jpg) Billie Burke — Image via TMDB
- ![Billie Burke](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-b9ac5ba66568.jpg) Billie Burke — Image via TMDB
- ![Billie Burke](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-d51aee837e36.jpg) Billie Burke — Image via TMDB
- ![John Drew and Billie Burke in "My Wife," which opened June 1, 1908, at the Moore Theater, Seattle. Subjects: plays, actors, actresses](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-642123c1c6f7.jpg) John Drew and Billie Burke in "My Wife," which opened June 1, 1908, at the Moore Theater, Seattle. Subjects: plays, actors, actresses — Studio of Napoleon Sarony, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/John_Drew_and_Billie_Burke_in_%22My_Wife%22_%28SAYRE_12914%29.jpg/1280px-John_Drew_and_Billie_Burke_in_%22My_Wife%22_%28SAYRE_12914%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Title: LIBERTY LOANS. ADM. SIMS AND BILLIE BURKE AT TREASURY TO AID LIBERTY LOAN DRIVE Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller (1919)](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-6aa49da1e9ce.jpg) Title: LIBERTY LOANS. ADM. SIMS AND BILLIE BURKE AT TREASURY TO AID LIBERTY LOAN DRIVE Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller (1919) — Harris & Ewing, photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/LIBERTY_LOANS._ADM._SIMS_AND_BILLIE_BURKE_AT_TREASURY_TO_AID_LIBERTY_LOAN_DRIVE_LCCN2016869852.jpg/1280px-LIBERTY_LOANS._ADM._SIMS_AND_BILLIE_BURKE_AT_TREASURY_TO_AID_LIBERTY_LOAN_DRIVE_LCCN2016869852.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Billie Burke](https://film.one/media/person/104617/gallery-ba19b7e1d462.jpg) Billie Burke — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1939: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Merrily We Live*

### Other awards — 1 won

- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 1960: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/billie-burke