Although Perry Mason may seem like a superhuman, Raymond Burr was just as human as the rest of us. The actor began starring in the hit crime series in 1957. During an interview with The Associated Press, Burr confessed that while he was fielding offers from other television shows, he accepted the role of Perry Mason because of the strength of the series. However, he seemed to get more than he bargained for.

“I had had offers for several series,” said the actor. “I took Mason because I thought it would be done with quality. I was right about that. But I didn’t realize the other hour shows had two or more leading characters to carry the load; Mason couldn’t. And I didn’t realize I would not only have an immense amount of dialogue to learn, but it would be much questioning with no continuing train of thought - the most difficult dialogue to learn.”

The heavy workload took a toll on Burr, mentally and physically. At the time of the interview, the actor was still recovering from a sickness that put him in the hospital.

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“When my strength gets down, I am susceptible to ailments,” Burr said. “This time, I got a virus that I couldn’t shake off. It got into the muscles of my back and chest, and I had to go to the hospital. I was in traction much of the time.”

Mason continued in the series for nine seasons, entertaining audiences for years.