Kerry Giese (also known by his stage name Kerry Burke) was born in Petersburg, Virginia to loving parents Kenneth and Juanita Giese. Kerry spent his early years in Hopewell, Virginia, before moving to Arlington, Virginia, and then Paris, France, for his father’s military career. The family toured Europe extensively before their return to Virginia. Kerry lived briefly in Des Plaines, Illinois, but returned to graduate from Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia (Class of 1972).

Kerry exceled in high school, earning top scores and recognition as a National Merit Finalist. He found his passion for theater at Fort Hunt and continued his education to graduate with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. There he formed lifelong friendships and met his first wife Toni Zito. He and Toni worked in the entertainment industry at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virgina, and the Hayloft Dinner theater in Manassas, Virginia, where Kerry demonstrated his skills behind the scenes and in front of the audience. The original production Kerry wrote and produced original production Cheek To Cheek with close friends Jack Parish and George Kelly was one of the highlights during his tenure there.

Kerry and Toni moved to New York City to further their careers. Although their marriage ended, Kerry and Toni remained friends and supported one another. Kerry worked in feature films and television, such as Ghostbusters, Ragtime, and the soap opera Ryan’s Hope and built a loyal following bartending at Gleason’s and Who’s On First, where he created and managed the comedy club Who's Downstairs. Kerry was a regular on the comedy club circuit as a stand-up comedian. He regularly performed at NYC’s Catch A Rising Star, sharing the stage with legendary comedians and performers like Pat Benatar, Richard Belzer, Andy Kaufman, Brad Garrett, and Robin Williams, who he joked “opened for him” when his appearance followed Robin’s impromptu set. Kerry moved to Los Angeles, CA with his second wife, DeLane Matthews. The two divorced after a brief time, but Kerry continued to pursue his acting and stand-up on the West Coast. Kerry worked as a featured actor in movies and television shows, including Mr. Belvedere, Married With Children, Tour of Duty, and Switched At Birth. He also worked on game show development with Reg Grundy and Merv Griffin Entertainment. He did audience warm-up for TV shows; he performed alongside Dick Van Dyke and other legendary performers and became the announcer and audience warm-up in 1989 for Carol Burnett's second TV show Carol & Company.

He landed a job at Disneyland where he met his eternal love and partner of more than 32 years Amanda Hudson when they starred as a couple in one of the theme park’s premier shows The Golden Horseshoe. Kerry and Amanda traveled the US fulfilling dreams professionally and personally. Kerry spent the last 25 years of his life writing, directing, managing, and producing for theatrical companies, including Universal Studios-Orlando, City Walk, The Orlando Fringe Festival, and, most recently, Theatre at the J. Kerry and Amanda have two children: Ember (born Emma) Rebekah Giese and Roxy (born Ayden) Giese. The family, all theatrically gifted and musically inclined, produced and performed in companies in Los Angeles, CA; Nauvoo, IL; Las Vegas, NV; and – their permanent home – Orlando FL.

Kerry’s failing health led to his passing. Kerry joins his parents in heaven; he is survived by older sister and brother Kenita Sue Mallon and Kenneth William Giese II as well as his baby sister Kym Burke (born Kimberly Lynne Giese) and their extended families. Kerry was surrounded by his family and siblings in his last days. He continued to root for his beloved New York Yankees, listen to his favorite bands the Beatles and Steely Dan, and advocate for peace and love with everyone he met and knew. A self-proclaimed hippy and bleeding-heart liberal, his bright light will continue to shine as it lives on through his wife, his children, his extended family, his close friends, the theater community, and his inspiration for those who met him.

The family will receive friends at a reception from 2p-4p ET Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Lake Mary Stake Center, located at 2255 Lake Emma Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746. This is not a service. An irreverent Celebration of Life Party will occur at Penguin Point Productions in late July/early August where Kerry’s “framily” will share stories, memories, music, and laughter. More information on this will be shared as soon as it is available. Flowers sent for the reception this Saturday are appreciated. Donations to honor Kerry’s memory can be made to Shropshire Music Foundation -- Teaching Peace Through Music. Mention his name and donate through:

Donate here: search Shropshire Music Foundation (95-4780064)
Venmo: @ShropshireMusic-Foundation
Website: shopshirefoundation.org/donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shropshirefoundation
Mail: 1123 East Torreon Drive Litchfield Park, AZ 85340