Biography
David Burke was a British actor. Born in Liverpool in 1934, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his professional career on stage in 1960, appearing with companies including the Bristol Old Vic, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
He is known for playing Dr John Watson opposite Jeremy Brett in the first two series of Granada Television's The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–1985). His screen credits also include the role of PC Collins in The Woman in Black (2012), appearances in Agatha Christie's Poirot, Midsomer Murders and The Young Messiah (2016), and earlier television work such as Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983). Burke retired from acting in 2018 and died in 2026.
He was married to the actress Anna Calder-Marshall; their son Tom Burke is also an actor.
