George Burns

I'd rather be a failure in something that I love than a success in something that I don't.

 Profile / Biography

George Burns was on of the pre-eminent names in comedy in the 20th century.

Nathan Birnbaum was born January 20, 1896 in New York City.  The young talent was discovered at the age of seven while he was singing to get through the boredom of his job as a syrup maker.  He dropped out of school in the fourth grade to pursue entertainment full time, taking a new stage name, and in 1923 he met Gracie Allen, who he would later marry.  The two achieved fame by having Allen act the illogical logic of an above-par Dumb Dora routine while George played the straight man. 

Burns and Allen took their routine to radio in 1932 with their own show, after first appearing as comic relief for Guy Lombardo’s dance show.  The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show was rooted in reality, about a couple who work as comedians with their own radio show. 

The show was moved to television in 1948 on CBS.  Burns made several innovative adaptations from the radio format, which included a greater interaction with his audience through the use of “step-outs” and the development of the sitcom format.  In 1958 the show ended, as Allen began to experience heart trouble and retired.  Burns tried to revamp the show without her but it was a failure.

In 1964 Gracie Allen died of a heart attack, and a devastated Burns threw himself into his work.  In 1975, Burns won an Academy Award for his role in the movie The Sunshine Boys- he was 79 years old, and was the oldest actor to win an Oscar at the time.

George Burns lived to be 100 years old, and his iconic image of a cigar-smoking senior has befuddled tobacco detractors for two decades.  His story is one of hard work, talent, good luck, resurrection, and most importantly of love.

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