Burgess was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1945. He appeared in "H.M.S Pinafore," "E.N.G." and "Bordertown," as well as other Canadian television programs and movies.
Burgess was also the first to sing the Canadian anthem "O Canada" at a World Series Game, in Atlanta in 1992.
In a statement, theatre producer David Mirvish said, "He was a very talented performer with a spellbinding voice and a truly arresting stage presence. Canada has lost one of its major artists. He will be sorely missed."