Cast : Preston Xavier Burke

CHARACTER

No one dies on this man's watch. He's a brilliant heart surgeon and a kind, compassionate person. The consummate professional, and a great cook to boot. What's not to love about Dr. Burke?

Preston grew up in Alabama, where his mother owns a restaurant. He is the chief cardio-thorasic surgeon at Seattle Grace, and is known for his grace under pressure as well as his incredible scalpel skills. Seriously, you cannot rattle the guy in the operating room or in real life. Cristina Yang has tried during her romance with the handsome physician, which he initially broke off because of concern for his reputation.

The polar opposites are back together now, however, and Cristina recently moved into his apartment. The evolution of their relationship despite many personality differences has been a focal point of Grey's Anatomy in recent weeks. Preston has also warmed up to Derek Shepherd, despite initial friction between the two surgical all-stars.

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ACTOR

Preston Xavier Burke
AS PLAYED BY ISAIAH WASHINGTON

A native of Houston, Texas, Isaiah Washington spent four years in the Air Force before studying drama at Washington, DC's Howard University. While at Howard, he won a role in the play Spell #7 and then moved to New York to further pursue his career. There he appeared in a number of stage productions, including August Wilson's Fences and Thornton Wilder's Skin of Our Teeth. With a passion for theater, Washington became one of the founding members of City Kids Repertory, a theater group that visits high schools and community centers throughout New York.

Washington first made his mark in cinema in gritty crime dramas and romantic ensemble comedies. He has been featured in four acclaimed Spike Lee films: Crooklyn, Clockers, Girl 6, and Girl on the Bus. Other feature credits include Exit Wounds, Romeo Must Die, True Crime, Bulworth, Out of Sight, Love Jones, Dead Presidents, Stonewall, Strictly Business and the acclaimed Dancing in September - a performance which earned him a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor.

Washington was also seen in Ghost Ship, Welcome to Collinwood and Hollywood Homicide.

On television, he has guest-starred in several series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street, Ally McBeal, New York Undercover, Living Single, Soul Food, and Touched by an Angel.

Washington makes his home in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.