Occupation: Actor.
Birthday: Aug. 26, 1965.
Birthplace: Born and raised in New York City.
Real name: Christopher Joseph Burke
Current home: Studio City, Calif.
Marital status: Single.
Working on: Playing Corky Thatcher on ”Life Goes On,” Sunday nights on ABC-TV, and I`ve written a book, ”A Special Kind of Hero” (Doubleday), that tells people that even though I have Down`s syndrome, the inside of me is just like everyone else`s.
The last good movie I saw was: ”Little Man Tate.” I thought it was excellent.
I stay home to watch: ”Growing Pains” and ”I`ll Fly Away” and reruns of ”Little House on the Prairie” and ”Bonanza.”
The books I`ve been reading are: About country music, because I love it.
Favorite pigout food: Italian food, like lasagna and pizza. I gave up on veal parmigiana because it makes me feel too full.
Favorite performer: Lou Diamond Phillips. I loved him in ”La Bamba.”
And I loved the movie because it was a true story.
Prized possession: My collection of CDs, tape cassettes and videos about music and acting.
Personal hero: Randy Travis is my idol, for his music and the things he does.
I`d give anything to meet: Kevin Costner.
A really great evening to me is: I like to stay home and relax and just forget about everything. I also enjoy swimming.
The one thing I can`t stand is: People who treat me differently. Some people think that just because I have Down`s syndrome, I am stupid or handicapped. My Down`s syndrome has never kept me from doing anything I wanted to do. Actually, I call it ”Up syndrome” because I am excited and happy about my life.
My friends like me because: I`m just like every other person. I make new friends all the time. I was standing in front of my trailer, and Michael Keaton came up to me and said I was a very good actor. I said, ”I really liked you in `Batman,` ” and he invited me to come to see him on the set of
”Batman II.”
If I weren`t an actor, I`d love to be a: Record producer.
When people first meet me: They love Corky-that means a lot to me-so they love me too.
Three words that best describe me: I love you.
