Antonino Rocca
Burke earned a college degree in physical education. In the 1950s, Burke wrestled for nine years under the names "Sammy Berg" and "Mr Canada", and sparred with athletes including Primo Carnera, Antonino Rocca, Lou Thesz and Joe Lewis. His friend Gordon Mitchell recommended Burke for the lead role of Ursus in the 1961 film "The Revenge of Ursus". Burke next appeared opposite Italian comedian Totò in the 1962 comedy "Toto vs. Maciste". Norman Maurer then hired him to portray the mythical Greek hero Hercules in "The Three Stooges Meet Hercules" (1962).