Billy Burke
Biography
Billy Burke, born William Albert Burke on November 25, 1966, in Bellingham, Washington, is an American actor. He is known for portraying Charlie Swan in the Twilight film series. His film work includes the role of Cesaire in the 2011 production Red Riding Hood. On television, Burke was cast in 2012 as Miles Matheson, a lead character in the NBC science‑fiction series Revolution, and he later headlined the CBS drama Zoo from 2015 through 2017. Additional screen appearances include the supernatural horror film Lights Out (2016) and the thriller Breaking In (2018). As of the latest data, his credited work totals 73 acting roles.
Career overview
Billy Burke was born on November 25, 1966 in Bellingham, Washington. He is credited in the industry under the name William Albert Burke and has built a career primarily as an actor in film and television.
Burke’s most widely recognized film work is his portrayal of Charlie Swan in the Twilight series, a role he reprised across the franchise’s sequels. In 2011 he appeared as Cesaire in Red Riding Hood, and he later took part in the supernatural horror picture Lights Out, released in 2016. His filmography also includes the 2018 thriller Breaking In.
On television, Burke became a lead cast member in 2012 when he was cast as Miles Matheson, one of the principal characters in NBC’s science‑fiction series Revolution. He continued to secure prominent roles, starring in the CBS drama Zoo from 2015 through 2017. Across his career, Burke has accumulated more than seventy credited appearances, reflecting a steady presence in both genre and mainstream productions.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- M.I.A. (2026) as Sheriff Jack Taylor
- Outbreak (2025) as Neil Morris
- Bloody Axe Wound (2024) as Roger Bladecut
- Fire Country (2022) as Vince Leone
- Batman: The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition (2022) as Commissioner James Gordon (voice)
- Maid (2021) as Hank Russell
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One (2021) as Commissioner Gordon (voice)
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two (2021) as Commissioner Gordon (voice)
- 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020) as Billy Tyson
- Most Dangerous Game (2020) as Reagan (uncredited)
- FBI (2018) as Rowan Quinn
- Breaking In (2018) as Eddie
- And the Winner Isn't (2017) as Self
- Good After Bad (2017) as Wes Thorne
- Lights Out (2016) as Paul
- Zoo (2015) as Mitch Morgan
- Divine Access (2015) as Jack
- Divine Access (2015) Producer
- Angels in Stardust (2014) as Cowboy
- Highland Park (2013) as Lloyd Howard
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012) as Charlie Swan
- Revolution (2012) as Miles Matheson
- Freaky Deaky (2012) as Chris Mankowski
- Ticket Out (2012) as Dennis
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011) as Charlie Swan
- Red Riding Hood (2011) as Cesaire
- Drive Angry (2011) as Jonah King
- Rizzoli & Isles (2010) as Gabriel Dean
- The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010) as Charlie Swan
- Luster (2010) as Tito
- Removal (2010) as Eric Kershe
- David and Goliath (2010) as David
- The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) as Charlie Swan
- Fringe (2008) as Lucas Vogel
- Twilight (2008) as Charlie Swan
- Untraceable (2008) as Eric Box
- Mario Barth: Under The Skin (2008) Writer
- Mario Barth: Under The Skin (2008) Director
- The Grift (2008) as Wade Buchanan
- Fracture (2007) as Rob Nunally
- Feast of Love (2007) as David Watson
- Three Days to Vegas (2007) as Billy Simpson
- Backyards & Bullets (2007)
- Forfeit (2007) as Frank
- The Closer (2005) as Phillip Stroh
- The Closer (2005) as Phillip Stroh (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Jury (2004) as John Ranguso
- Ladder 49 (2004) as Dennis Gauquin
- Dead & Breakfast (2004) Story
- Lost Junction (2003) as Jimmy McGee
- Monk (2002) as Brad Terry
- 24 (2001) as Gary Matheson
- Along Came a Spider (2001) as Ben Devine
- Final Jeopardy (2001) as Mike Chapman
- After Image (2001) as Sammy
- Gilmore Girls (2000) as Alex Lesman
- Wonderland (2000) as Abe Matthews
- The Independent (2000) as Dwayne
- Dill Scallion (1999) as Dill Scallion
- Komodo (1999) as Oates
- Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998) as Joey Cortino
- Without Limits (1998) as Kenny Moore
- Don't Look Down (1998) as Mark Engel
- Marshal Law (1996) as Monk
- Gone in the Night (1996) as Rob Kinney
- The Ultimate Lie (1996)
- Strange Luck (1995)
- VR.5 (1995) as Marco
- Party of Five (1994) as Guy in Club
- Party of Five (1994) as Gil
- Vanishing Son (1994) as Spider McKeun
- All-American Girl (1994) as Cody
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Ari
- To Cross the Rubicon (1991) as James Bird
- Law & Order (1990) as Mr. Farmer
- Daredreamer (1990) as Dante of the Three D's / Ortega