Dr. Abe Matthews is recognized as a talented psychiatrist who works in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), but has a well-earned reputation as a first-class, commitment-phobic womanizer, both inside the hospital and out.

Mr. Burke, who was born in Bellingham, Washington, began singing at age 13 and formed his first rock band while attending Sehome High School, where he also performed in his first stage production.

Over the years, Mr. Burke continued to perform; and with a move to Seattle, Washington, he formed another band and honed his skills at writing music and lyrics. Between gigs, he participated in local theater productions on nearby Bainbridge Island.

With another move -- to Los Angeles -- in 1991, he started another band, but being in the heart of the movie capital of the world led him to read for films and television parts. His success on that front led him to put his music career on hold. He says of those early parts, "I was the bad boyfriend with a gun."

Mr. Burke's most recent film was as the title character in the hilarious "mockumentary," "Dill Scallion," which won an Audience Choice Award in the Nashville Independent Film Festival. The send-up of the career of a country singer won Mr. Burke praise for both his singing and acting talents.

In 1998, he starred in "Without Limits," directed and co-written by Academy Award-winner Robert Towne ("Chinatown"), and produced by Tom Cruise. Additionally that year, he starred in the comedy, "Mafia," which also starred Lloyd Bridges, Olympia Dukakis and Christina Applegate. He will be seen in the soon-to-be-released movie, "Texas Rangers" (AKA "Riders on the Storm").

Among his other feature film credits are "Komodo" and "Martial Law." Additionally, he starred in the television movie, "Wes Craven Presents Don't Look Down." Other television movie credits include "Gone in the Night" and "The Ultimate Lie."

When not acting, Mr. Burke, who plays both guitar and piano, likes to keep his hand in composing music and lyrics.

Need to write? Here's where to send mail to Billy Burke.