David Burke

Known for

Acting

Born

May 25, 1934

Birthplace

Liverpool, England, UK

Died

May 1, 2026 (aged 91)

Biography

David Burke was a British actor, known for playing Dr. John Watson in two series of Granada Television's 1980s The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which starred Jeremy Brett in the title role. He also starred as Josef Stalin in the last two episodes of Reilly, Ace of Spies.

Best known work

The Woman in Black

2012

Agatha Christie's Poirot

1989

Midsomer Murders

1997

The Closer

2005

Sherlock Holmes

1984

The Avengers

1961

The Young Messiah

2016

Spooks

2002

Coronation Street

1960

Twelfth Night

1996

Filmography

2018
Only the Lonely
as George
2016
The Young Messiah
as Blind Rabbi
2015
Harry Price: Ghost Hunter
2012
The Woman in Black
as PC Collins
2010
Love and Distrust
as Freddie (segment "The Summer House")
2010
The Summer House
as Freddie
2006
Number 13
as Gunton, Hotel Landlord
2006
Random Quest
as Professor / JK Harshom
2005
A View from a Hill
as Patten
2005
The CloserTV
as Mr. Murdoch (1 episode)
2005
A Ghost Story for ChristmasTV
as Patten (1 episode)
2004
The Rivals
as Sir Anthony Absolute
2003
Three Sisters
as Chebutykin
2002
Bertie and Elizabeth
as Lord Reith
2002
SpooksTV
as Fiona's Father (1 episode)
2001
Waking the DeadTV
as Philip Bryant (2 episodes)
1998
King Lear
as Kent
1997
Midsomer MurdersTV
as John Farrow (1 episode), as Fred Messenger (1 episode)
1996
Twelfth Night
as Party Guest / Dancer
1996
Testament: The Bible in AnimationTV
as God (voice) (1 episode)
1996
Dalziel and PascoeTV
as Paul Boddison (2 episodes)
1995
Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective
as Dr. John H. Watson
1994
As You Like It
as Narrator (voice)
1994
Space PrecinctTV
as Vachel (1 episode)
1994
Mesmer
as Doctor de Vauzesmes