William Talman

William Whitney Talman Jr. (February 4, 1915 - August 30, 1968) was an American television and movie actor.

Mr. Talman was best known as District Attorney Hamilton Burger in the long-running TV series Perry Mason, and would have the unenviable task of losing to Mr. Mason (portrayed by Raymond Burr) in court week after week in each episode.

Mr. Talman is also known for being the first actor in Hollywood to film an anti-smoking commercial for the American Cancer Society. A lifelong heavy smoker, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and knew he was dying when he filmed the commercial, which would air for over a year after his death in 1968. The short film began with the words, "Before I die I want to do what I can to leave a world free of cancer for my six children . . . . "

External Links

• Internet Movie Database entry