Chris Burke
Chris Burke made television history by becoming the first actor with Down syndrome to have a major role in a series as Corky Thatcher on ABC's Life Goes On. Since the show went off the air in 1993, Chris has kept busy as an advocate, proving that disabled people are, in fact, very able. His latest project is a TV show for children with and without disabilities called Forever Friends, which features the musical collaboration of children's recording artists Joe and John DeMasi. Chris spoke with TheCelebrityCafe.com's John Neal about the show, and paving the way for disabled actors.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: Tell me about Forever Friends. What's going on with that?
Chris Burke: That's a good question. We did a TV pilot for this show and it's based on an original for a pilot we did a long time ago. We decided to do a new one starring people with and without disabilities. It's about fun, inclusion and is for children ages 2 to 7. It spreads a message that it's not our disabilities but our abilities that counts.
TCC: I saw the video clip. It looks like the kids are having fun.
CB: I hope we get the grant so they can keep having fun.
TCC: You're doing this through RefreshEverything.com.
CB: I'm so glad we're doing this with Pepsi cola. We have so many people who want to help us. This grant will really help us do this TV show. I know what it's like to do a TV show because of Life Goes On so I know that it can be picked up or not. I was so excited when it got picked up and when it got cancelled it got cancelled, so what can you do? So with Forever Friends we hope to show another message: that obstacles are to keep your eyes off the goal, and that we need to get past these obstacles, keep your eyes on the goal and make dreams come true; never give up.
TCC: You're working on this with Joe and John DeMasi. You've been involved with them for some time now.
CB: Ever since I was about 15 years old. They are very close friends which is really great.
TCC: You made a breakthrough with Life Goes On. We're still not seeing many disabilities actors in major roles on TV. I can think up only one right now, RJ Mitte on AMC's Breaking Bad, who has cerebral palsy. Why is that happening? Do TV execs think audiences aren't interested or are these characters hard to write for?
CB: That's a good question. Marlee Maitlin, who's deaf, won an Oscar [in 1986 for Children of a Lesser God]. She was a huge inspiration to me. What she and I and others do is give actors and actresses with disabilities a chance to do something like that. And HBO just did a documentary, Monica & David, about a disabled couple who live independently.
TCC: Life Goes On was about Corky going to a regular high school. Your character had to deal with bullies. Unfortunately, bullies are making headlines. What do you do about bullies, coming from someone who has lived under extraordinary circumstances?
CB: I'd have to say walk away from them and ignore them. Sure I and others have a disability but we have ability, so who cares about them.
Vote for Chris Burke and Forever Friends at RefreshEverything.com or by texting 103070 to Pepsi (73774). Voting ends October 31.