From 1962 to 1986 if you saw a performance of the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland then you probably laughed at the antics of Fulton Burley (wikipedia) and cried at his sweet irish Tenor. He also provided the voice of Michael, the Irish parrot, for the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. Burley was honored as a “Disney Legend” in a special ceremony at the
Studio in 1995. He passed away on Monday May 7th at the age of 84.
Somewhere in my stack of stuff, I have photos of Burley, Wally Boag, and Betty Taylor performing at the Golden Horseshoe. The show was my favorite thing to do at Disneyland and we made sure to take in at least one performance on every visit. It remains one of the saddest chapters at the Disney parks to have the Horseshoe variety shows absent from both Disneyland and Disney World.
LaughingPlace.com has a longer tribute. Also see Jan’s excellent page covering the history of the Golden Horseshoe Revue. (Image Courtesy Disney)
One of the people who truly helped to make Disneyland Park what it is. It’s a loss for all who hold the golden days of Disneyland Park dear.
Fulton Burley was a close friend and a partner performer. I worked with him at the Golden Horseshoe at Disneyland and then for a few months at Walt Disney World in the Diamond Horseshoe Revue. He was a fun person to be around. When we were shipped to Florida for the opening of the new Disney Park, Fulton was also there. He worked for three months before Wally Boag could find a replacement for him and then he returned to the L.A. park. The three months we worked together it was one big party. He was always laughing, telling jokes or singing. What will the world do without Fulton Burley?
I worked with Fulton Burley in the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland from 1983 -1986 and a in a production of Sugar Babies in late 1986 to early 1987. Fulton Burley was a master entertainer and one of the funniest persons I’ve ever met. As a comedian, he was an inspiration and even today there is still a little Fulton Burley in my mannerism on stage.
You know when someone greets you with “how are you doing”
and the usual response is “fine, good or keeping busy.
Not Fulton, he would always respond with “SENSATIONAL”
I worked with Fulton when I was the tech backstage at the Horseshoe, and then the Stage Manager in charge of the show. He was ALWAYS “on”, whether onstage or off stage. He had such energy!! The one thing I will always remember of him, besides his performing, was that he taught me the RIGHT way to eat a kumquat, as he was an avid citrus aficionado, who raised his own citrus trees/fruit. Let me give you his lesson: First, find the end that the stem was, and bite off a small piece of it. Chew. Squeeze the fruit from top and bottom between your thumb and index finger, until it sweats. This releases juices, and separates the meat from the peel. Push the meet into your mouth between your teeth, leaving the outer peel, and take a couple bites of the meat. Eat the seeds, too. This is the “sour” part- so only take a couple bites. Then pop the rest of the peel in your mouth, the “sweet” part. Chew them well and swallow, and the fruit will be sweet and sour in your mouth. It’s a great experience, for nothing more than it makes it FUN to eat!!
Fulton Burley, always Sensational!
Betty Taylor and Dorthy Fields her sister give there love to the family for their lost of a wonderful man who gave so much!
I just wanted to say with great pleasure how good it was to see your posts of Fulton Burley. Fulton was my Mothers younger brother. The Irish influence was always present in our home.
I was looking at pics of the family way back when they were all so young. What a great life it was
Thank you
Sharron
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