Billy Burke

Billy Burke was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington. His early exploration of the arts involved singing from age nine and playing in bands by age fifteen. He pursued both music and drama at Western Washington University, performing in Seattle’s theater scene. A move to Los Angeles initially focused on a music career, which did not fully materialize, leading him to pivot to acting. His acting career began with independent films shot in Seattle, followed by numerous television guest appearances, establishing his presence in the industry.

Burke’s filmography includes a range of projects that showcase his acting capabilities. He made his feature film debut in “Daredreamer” (1989) and transitioned into studio films with roles in “Mafia!” (1998) and “Along Came a Spider” (2001). His television work has been extensive, including notable roles such as Dr. Abe Matthews in ABC’s “Wonderland” (2000) and Gary Matheson in Fox’s “24” (2001). A significant turning point in his career arrived with his casting as Charlie Swan in “The Twilight Saga” film series, beginning in 2008, a role that gained him international recognition and a broad fan base. Following “Twilight,” Burke continued to secure prominent roles, demonstrating his range across different genres.

His career progression also highlights a consistent presence in television, with lead roles such as Miles Matheson in NBC’s science-fiction series “Revolution” (2012–2014) and veterinary pathologist Mitch Morgan in CBS’s “Zoo” (2015–2017). He also had a recurring role as Phillip Stroh in “The Closer” and its spin-off “Major Crimes.” More recently, Burke has appeared in series such as “9-1-1: Lone Star” (2020–2022) and played Hank in the Netflix series “Maid” (2021). He currently stars as Vince Leone in the CBS drama “Fire Country” (2022–2025). Alongside his acting, Burke is a co-producer on projects like “Primitive” (2020) and a writer for films such as “Dead & Breakfast” (2004) and “Something More” (2003). He has also released two albums, “Removed” (2010) and “The Underkill” (2018), and several singles, including “Burn” (2023) and “History” (2024), which have been featured in “Fire Country.”