By ALEX MARVEZ
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Trading in his trunks for a toga was a wise decision for Sam "Samson" Burke.
Performing under his real name and as Sammy Berg, Burke emerged as one of the top pro wrestling talents of the 1950s. He worked against such legends as Antonio Rocca, Don Leo Jonathan and Don Eagle while also claiming a victory over Buddy Rogers to briefly capture the International Wrestling heavyweight title in Burke's hometown of Montreal.
"I did a lot of flying, a lot of dropkicks and going over the top rope and so on," Burke said over breakfast last Monday near his South Florida home.
"I had my share of incidents and stitches in my head. I lost teeth I had to have replaced. It was rugged all the way through and there was a lot of traveling."
Burke's touring took him to Europe, where his handsome looks and dazzling physique caught the attention of movie producers in Rome. Growing weary of the rough-and-tumble world of wrestling, Burke gladly began making the transition to an acting career in "sword and sandal" productions where the gladiator fight scenes were more safely choreographed.
Burke has subsequently appeared in more than a dozen movies, including two that the legendary Federico Fellini directed, and scored bit parts in television shows "Magnum P.I." and "I Spy." His most famous role came in the 1962 release "The Three Stooges Meet Hercules," with Burke being cast to play the mythical strongman while winding down his wrestling career in Los Angeles working against the late Lou Thesz.
Burke flexed his muscles on screen after Moe (real name Moe Howard), Larry (Larry Fine) and Curly-Joe (Joe DeRita) traveled back in time to wreak havoc.
"Moe was the head guy," Burke said. "He would give one-liners that would keep you in stitches all the time. (The Stooges) were extremely talented and natural. They never even rehearsed. They just went right out and did what they had to do _ and they were very, very good in what they did."
Burke, 80, tells stories about his wrestling and acting careers during appearances at fan conventions. Burke also can share tips on how to score a pinfall over Father Time. He remains in sound physical condition and still works part-time as a personal trainer.
"I kind of do it as a favor to some people because they want to try and keep their weight down and I help them do that," said Burke, who qualified for Canada's Olympic swimming and wresting teams in 1948. "Most of what I do is gratis. They come to me and I help."
Asked his own secret to success, Burke said, "I work out about three days a week and swim every other day. Each day I do something just to feel good."
For more information on Burke, visit www.samsonburke.com.
Questions and answers:
Q: Whatever happened to Joey Mercury & Christian York? _ Mario Vincent Pinna, Woodlawn Heights, N.Y.
A: Mercury (real name Adam Birch) and York (Jason Spence) were a well-regarded tag team on the independent circuit until the latter retired from full-time wrestling in 2004. Mercury signed with WWE in early 2005 and was paired with Johnny Nitro (Tough Enough III co-winner John Hennigan) and manager Melina (Melina Perez) as "MNM." The trio split earlier this year when Mercury was reportedly forced to enter a drug rehabilitation program.
He recently resurfaced in WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling.
More wrestling news can be found at www.wrestlingobserver.com. Questions can be sent to Alex Marvez c/o the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301, or e-mailed to amarvez(at)sun-sentinel.com.
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