Actor. Remembered for playing 'Jerry Payne' opposite Liza Minnelli in the Oscar nominated picture "The Sterile Cuckoo" (1969). His father an Air Force technical sergeant who died in a plane crash when Wendell was only five years old. His family moved to Washington State following his father's death and Wendell later enrolled at Sonoma State College where he studied Political Science and Public Speaking. He tried out for and landed the role of 'Charlie Brown' in a San Francisco stage production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and during the show's run, he was spotted by director Alan J. Pakula who cast him in "The Sterile Cuckoo." This was followed with his role as 'Smitty' in the graphic prison film "Fortune and Men's Eyes" (1971). When "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" was made into a 1973 TV-Movie adaptation, Burton repeated his role as 'Charlie Brown.' During the 1970s, he appeared in a wide range of TV series of which includes "Medical Center," "Love, American Style," "Room 222" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show." Among his other films include "Goodnight Jackie" (1974) and "Heat" (1986). During the 1980s, he retired from the entertainment industry and became a minister. He died following a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
Actor. Remembered for playing 'Jerry Payne' opposite Liza Minnelli in the Oscar nominated picture "The Sterile Cuckoo" (1969). His father an Air Force technical sergeant who died in a plane crash when Wendell was only five years old. His family moved to Washington State following his father's death and Wendell later enrolled at Sonoma State College where he studied Political Science and Public Speaking. He tried out for and landed the role of 'Charlie Brown' in a San Francisco stage production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and during the show's run, he was spotted by director Alan J. Pakula who cast him in "The Sterile Cuckoo." This was followed with his role as 'Smitty' in the graphic prison film "Fortune and Men's Eyes" (1971). When "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" was made into a 1973 TV-Movie adaptation, Burton repeated his role as 'Charlie Brown.' During the 1970s, he appeared in a wide range of TV series of which includes "Medical Center," "Love, American Style," "Room 222" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show." Among his other films include "Goodnight Jackie" (1974) and "Heat" (1986). During the 1980s, he retired from the entertainment industry and became a minister. He died following a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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