British actor David Burke, best known for his portrayal of John Watson in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, has reportedly left an estate valued at £77,912 to his wife of 55 years, actress Anna Calder-Marshall. Burke died in May at the age of 91.
Probate details and estate value
According to the Daily Mail, the Grant of Probate was issued by the High Court of Justice this week, naming both Anna and their son, Strike star Tom Burke, as executors. The estate was initially worth £84,407, but its value gradually decreased due to deductions.
David Burke, born in Lancashire, was a familiar face on British television. Beyond his iconic role as John Watson, he appeared in episodes of Coronation Street, Crown Court, Casualty, The Bill, Midsomer Murders, and Heartbeat.
Family life and son's career
David married Anna in 1971, and together they welcomed their son Tom, now 45, who has built his own successful career. Tom's most notable projects include the BBC series Strike and the Hollywood blockbuster Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Speaking about his father in 2014, Tom revealed he felt "guilty" after David walked away from his role in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. "As I got older, I felt really guilty about that — I thought he'd given up this brilliant opportunity for me," the Strike star told The Times. "It bothered me so much that, many years later, I had to ask him about it."
Actor's own words
David subsequently replied: "It was my decision. I didn't just want to work; I also wanted to be your dad. On top of that, I was getting bored of saying, 'Good heavens, Holmes!'"
According to David, he and his wife never wanted Tom to feel pushed or pressured into acting. "But, Annie and I used to put on plays in the local village hall, and there just came a point where we knew he had an aptitude for it," David recalled. "Whenever we watch him now, I always end up turning to Annie and grinning like an idiot. 'Darling, do you realise that's our son!'"
