Robert John Burke at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $1-3 Million
- Birthdate: September 12, 1960
- Birthplace: Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
- Profession: Actor, Firefighter
- Nationality: American
- Major Achievements: Known for roles in Law & Order: SVU, Gossip Girl, Rescue Me, RoboCop 3, and Thinner.
Table of Contents
What is Robert John Burke’s Net Worth?
Robert John Burke is an American actor and firefighter whose exact net worth in 2025 is not publicly available. As a character actor rather than a global movie star, his finances are not tracked by publications like Forbes or Variety.
It is important to note that many online estimates for Robert John Burke’s net worth are unreliable. These figures often confuse the actor with other prominent business executives and real estate developers who share a similar name.
Burke’s financial standing has been built over a prolific and remarkably consistent four-decade career. His primary sources of income are his numerous high-profile television contracts and film roles.
Early Life
Robert John Burke was born on September 12, 1960, in Washington Heights, Manhattan. He is the son of immigrants from Galway, Ireland, and maintains a strong connection to his Irish heritage.
He was raised in New York and graduated from Northport High School. Burke’s path to acting began when he attended the Acting Conservatory at the State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY Purchase). It was there he met fellow student and future filmmaker Hal Hartley, a collaboration that would define the start of his career.
Career
Burke’s career is marked by its versatility, spanning from indie film darling to network television stalwart.
Independent Film Beginnings
Burke’s first major roles were in director Hal Hartley’s acclaimed independent films. He starred as the mysterious, ex-con protagonist Josh in The Unbelievable Truth (1989).
He collaborated with Hartley again on Simple Men (1992), cementing his status as a recognizable face in the 90s American indie film scene.
Major Film Roles
In 1993, Burke moved into mainstream Hollywood, taking over the iconic lead role from Peter Weller in RoboCop 3. While the film was not a box office success, it made him a familiar face to action audiences.
His next major leading role came in 1996 with the Stephen King adaptation Thinner, where he played the cursed lawyer Billy Halleck. He also had memorable supporting roles in major films like Tombstone (1993) as Frank McLaury, Munich (2005), and Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005).
Iconic Television Characters
While his film work is extensive, Burke is best known to modern audiences for three unforgettable television roles:
Mickey Gavin on Rescue Me (2004–2011): He played the cousin of Denis Leary’s main character, a former priest grappling with his own demons.
Bart Bass on Gossip Girl (2007–2012): Burke became a fan-favorite villain as the cold, calculating, and seemingly unkillable billionaire father of Chuck Bass.
Captain Ed Tucker on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002–2020): For nearly two decades, Burke played the definitive Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) officer. Tucker was a frequent antagonist for the SVU squad who later evolved into a complex love interest for Olivia Benson.
Recent Career
Burke continues to be a go-to actor for complex authority figures. His recent high-profile projects include playing Chief Bridges in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman (2018) and a role in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
In 2025, he appeared in Season 2 of the HBO hit series The Last of Us as Seth, expanding his presence in prestige television.
Personal Life & Firefighting
Beyond acting, Robert John Burke has a dedicated second career as a certified New York State firefighter. This passion is deeply personal; his best friend, FDNY Captain Patrick Brown, was killed during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Burke, who was already trained, traveled to Ground Zero to work on the rescue and recovery efforts. This experience solidified his commitment, and he officially joined his local volunteer fire department on Fire Island, where he now holds the rank of Captain.
He is heavily involved in charity work for the firefighter community, supporting foundations like The Leary Firefighters Foundation and the FDNY Foundation.
Burke is married to Angelica Clark and has two children.
Real Estate
As a private individual, Robert John Burke’s personal real estate holdings and properties are not publicly detailed. He maintains strong roots in the New York area, where he was born and continues to work.
FAQ
Is Robert John Burke a real firefighter?
Yes. He is a 3rd-degree black belt in Okinawan karate and a certified New York State firefighter. He serves as a volunteer Captain with the Ocean Beach Fire Department, a commitment he pursued after his best friend, an FDNY Captain, was killed on 9/11.
Why did Robert John Burke play RoboCop in RoboCop 3?
Robert John Burke replaced Peter Weller in RoboCop 3. According to interviews, he was chosen for his physical build, which was similar to Weller’s, and his extensive martial arts and body movement training. He was reportedly hesitant to take the role but eventually agreed.
Who did Robert John Burke play on Law & Order: SVU?
He played Captain Ed Tucker, an officer from the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB). For most of the series, he was an antagonist to the SVU team, but he later developed a serious romantic relationship with Captain Olivia Benson.
Is Robert John Burke related to the real Bart Bass?
No, Bart Bass was a fictional character from the Gossip Girl book and television series. In interviews, Burke has laughed about the comparison, stating that he is nothing like the villainous billionaire and is “more of a Rufus” in real life.
