08152016Mon
Last updateFri, 12 Aug 2016 8am

Norman Burton

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Lakeside resident Norman Burton died in an automobile accident near the California/Arizona border as he was returning to his home in Ajijic after a visit to the United States. He was one week short of his 80th birthday. Burton was born December 5, 1923 in New York City, where he went to school, eventually graduating from the famed Actors' Studio where he studied under the great Lee Strasbourg. He began his acting career in New York but was soon lured to California and film. His career spanned three decades with more than 40 movies and 23 television roles to his credit. Some of the movies on his resume are "Planet of the Apes," "American Ninja V," "Diamonds are Forever," "Towering Inferno," and "Save the Tiger." He appeared in the made-for-TV mini-series "War and Remembrance" as George Patton. Television shows in which he appeared include "I Dream of Jeannie," "Felony Squad," "Kojak," "Murder She Wrote" and "The Facts of Life."
He and his wife Claire moved to Ajijic from California in 1998. His wife passed away in 2002 after a long illness.
Burton took a leading role in the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) production of "Art" in 2000 and in "Copenhagen," a play-reading directed by Norma Lyerly, around the same time. He was also directing "The Dresser" which was to have appeared on stage at LLT in February.
Burton was always happy to impart his knowledge of acting to others, and he held popular "method acting" classes at Lakeside.
He is survived by a daughter, Naomi, who lives in Las Vegas and his best friend, Carole Martin of Ajijic, who will sorely miss him. (JC)

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