Billy Burke, born William Albert Burke on November 25, 1966, in Everett, Washington, and raised in Bellingham, Washington, is a multifaceted artist known for his work as an actor and musician. He began his musical journey at the age of nine and joined a band by fifteen. Burke pursued music and drama at Western Washington University and performed in Seattle's theater scene. Despite initially moving to Los Angeles for music, a demo deal with Warner Brothers fell through, leading him to explore acting.

Burke's acting career began with roles in independent films like "Daredreamer" and "To Cross The Rubicon," shot in Seattle. He gained recognition with TV guest roles in series such as "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "24," and later starred as Phillip Stroh in "The Closer" and Agent Gabriel Dean in "Rizzoli & Isles." His film credits include "Along Came a Spider," "Ladder 49," and the "Twilight" series, where he played Charlie Swan.

In music, Burke's first band, Hand In Hand, gained some recognition in a national battle of the bands competition. He later formed Billy Black’s Outcast Theatre, which had a cult following. Despite challenges in the music industry, Burke released his first CD, "Removed," in 2010, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Throughout his career, Burke has balanced his passion for music and acting, earning acclaim in both fields.