Chris Burke (actor)
A pioneering actor who broke ground on network television as the first series regular with Down syndrome.
Born 1965 (age 61)·American Down syndrome advocate·Birthday: August 26·Generation X
Biography
Chris Burke changed the face of American television simply by showing up. In 1989, he landed the role of Charles 'Corky' Thatcher on the ABC drama 'Life Goes On', becoming the first actor with Down syndrome to hold a leading role in a prime-time series. The show, and Burke's heartfelt, naturalistic performance, tackled the realities and aspirations of a young man with an intellectual disability with an unprecedented directness. For four seasons, Corky's storylines—about school, work, friendships, and romance—brought a new dimension of representation into living rooms across the country. Burke, who had been advised as a child to be institutionalized, became an instant and powerful advocate, using his platform to promote understanding and inclusion. His career extended beyond Corky, with other acting roles and decades of work as a goodwill ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society, where his message of ability and possibility has inspired countless families.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Chris was born in 1965, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1965
#1 Movie
The Sound of Music
Best Picture
The Sound of Music
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1965Born
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1970Started school
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1978Became a teenager
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Could drive
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1983Could vote
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Turned 21
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1995Turned 30
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2005Turned 40
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 50
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 60
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 61 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Broke barriers as the first actor with Down syndrome to be a series regular on a prime-time TV show ('Life Goes On').
- Served as the National Down Syndrome Society's Goodwill Ambassador for over three decades.
- Received numerous awards for his advocacy work, including the NDSS's Quincy Jones Award.
- Had a recurring role on the television series 'Touched by an Angel'.
Did You Know?
His catchphrase as Corky on 'Life Goes On' was "Hi, I'm Corky!"
He is also a musician and has released albums of country and folk music.
He was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.
He initially worked as a messenger at the National Down Syndrome Society before becoming their ambassador.
“I have Down syndrome, but it doesn't have me.”
