You’re likely familiar with actress Carlease Burke, if not by name, then from her work in blockbuster films such as Get Shorty and In Her Shoes and television hits including Heroes and Grey’s Anatomy.
Her latest role as Roberta, a foulmouthed and eccentric lesbian on Showtime’s celebrated Shameless, is the highlight of her accomplished career, according to Burke, when she recently spoke to the Advocate.
Burke says the gay-friendly series centered on the dysfunctional Gallagher family, which returns with season two on January 8, is a wonderful filming experience largely because of their incredible ensemble including William H. Macy, Joan Cusack and Emmy Rossum. “Working with William is a dream come true,” Burke says about playing the partner of Monica Gallagher, the ex-wife of Macy’s character, Frank Gallagher. “The amazing cast makes me feel like family.”
The talented actress and comedian also spoke about the importance of LGBT activism, and her desire to see African-Americans support the cause.
“One would think that of all people, the black community as a whole would be more understanding and supportive of civil rights and the equality of all people,” says Burke. “The only way we are going to make huge strides is when we have the support of straight black people and our churches. Our heterosexual friends and family members need to stick up for us and be proud of their LGBT relatives, who include doctors, teachers, coworkers, police officers.”
Burke offers keen insight on the role African-Americans have in advancing acceptance and equality, saying religious institutions must play a major role. “Black churches have some obligation to advocate for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, especially since it preaches that God is love and created us all in his image,” she says.
A favorite performer on Olivia lesbian cruises, Burke also works with several LGBT organizations in her home of Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles–based Women on a Roll and Cornerstone Outreach. And while her work as an actress has seen her in a wide variety of genres, from the futuristic Dollhouse, to the blue-collar comedy Raising Hope, comedy remains her first love.
But she does have a soft spot for Alfred Hitchcock thrillers with thinly veiled lesbian stories:
“I like to watch silly goofball comedies, so I would definitely like to have a supporting role in one of those. I've always wanted to play a Bette Davis–type character — all dark and mysterious — or someone like Dame Judith Anderson in Rebecca. Let's bring that genre back!”
Read more about Burke’s beginnings in comedy in the full interview on Advocate now.
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