Frankie Burke (June 6, 1915 – April 7, 1983) was a Hollywood actor, best known for his appearance as a member of The East Side Kids.

Early life

Burke was born Frankie Vaselle and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His name was changed when he began working in films. Burke went to P.S. 25.^[1] He grew up watching James Cagney on film in local theaters and, having been told many times how much he resembled him, figured if Cagney could become famous, so could he. Burke sold newspapers on the street corners before deciding to hitchhike to Hollywood in 1937 to meet Cagney, but when the first attempt failed, he went back to Brooklyn.^[1]

In 1937, Burke worked as a bellhop at a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.^{[citation needed]}

Life in Hollywood

He was discovered by a Warner Brothers talent scout, out searching for young men who resembled Cagney for a role in 1938's Angels with Dirty Faces. He went on to do eighteen more films, several of which were uncredited, before his last role in 1941's Shadow of the Thin Man.

Death

Burke died of lung cancer in 1983. He was survived by one son.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography