New Westminster, BC – Friends and family of Raymond Burr were on hand at Century House today to witness the unveiling of one Canada Post’s newest commemorative stamps. The Raymond Burr Commemorative Stamp is one in a set of four stamps entitled The Sequel, which celebrate the achievements of Canadians in Hollywood.

“Raymond Burr is perhaps one of our city’s best known citizens,” said Mayor Wayne Wright. “Many of us enjoyed following his distinguished Hollywood career over the years and were always proud of the fact that he was born and raised right here in New Westminster.”

Legendary actor and philanthropist Raymond Burr is known as one of New Westminster’s favourite sons. Over his lengthy career he performed in more than 5,000 radio plays, 200 stage plays and 90 movies. He is perhaps best know for his television roles as lawyer Perry Mason and as the disabled chief of detectives Robert Ironside in Ironside. In addition to his acting career, Burr was involved with many humanitarian causes and organizations throughout his life including the Cerebral Palsy Association, the National Safety Council, the March of Dimes and B’nai B’rith and was active in the Raymond Burr Foundation, which supports charitable, educational and literary causes.

“At Canada Post, we’re delighted to be able to recognize the on and off-screen accomplishments of Raymond Burr with the commemorative stamp we’re unveiling today,” said Ron Pasini, Canada Post’s Pacific Region General Manager of Sales. “Paying tribute to great Canadians is what our stamp program is all about – capturing Canada and what it means to be Canadian and showcasing it for the world.”

The set of four stamps were designed by John Belisle and Kosta Tsetsekas of Vancouver’s Signals Design and use images created by Neal Armstrong. In addition to Raymond Burr, the set features stamps commemorating the achievements of other notable Canadians in Hollywood: Marie Dressler (1868-1934), Norma Shearer (1900-1983) and Chief Dan George (1899-1981).

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Contact:

Blair Fryer, Communications Manager
604-527-4688