George Burns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Burns
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Burns in 1961
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| Born |
Nathan Birnbaum
January 20, 1896 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | March 9, 1996 (aged 100) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1923–1996 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2, including Ronnie Burns |
George Burns was a famous American comedian, actor, writer, and singer. He was born Nathan Birnbaum on January 20, 1896, and lived until March 9, 1996. George had an amazing career that lasted over 75 years! He worked in many different types of entertainment, like vaudeville, radio, movies, and TV. People often recognized him by his raised eyebrow and the way he used his cigar. He and his wife, Gracie Allen, were a popular comedy team called Burns and Allen.
When he was 79, George Burns became very popular again. This happened after he starred in the 1975 movie The Sunshine Boys. He even won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role! George won an Emmy, a Grammy, and an Oscar. He was almost one of the few people to win all four major entertainment awards (EGOT). George lived to be 100 years old in 1996. He kept working almost until he passed away from heart problems at his home in Beverly Hills, California.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Show Business
George Burns was born Nathan Birnbaum on January 20, 1896, in New York City. He was the ninth of 12 children. His parents, Hadassah and Eliezer Birnbaum, were Jewish immigrants from Poland. George's father worked as a coat presser and sometimes as a singer in the local synagogue.
In 1903, when George was only seven, his father died during a flu outbreak. Young George, who was called Nattie or Nate, started working to help his family. He shined shoes, ran errands, and sold newspapers.
Becoming a Performer
George got a job making syrup in a candy shop when he was seven. He discovered his love for performing there. He and other kids would sing harmony in the basement when they were bored. One day, their letter carrier heard them and liked their singing. Soon, people were listening and even throwing pennies!
George told his friends, "No more chocolate syrup. It's show business from now on." They called themselves the Pee-Wee Quartet. They sang on ferryboats, in saloons, and on street corners. They would put out their hats for donations. George started smoking cigars when he was 14 years old.
Changing His Name
When the U.S. joined World War I in 1917, George was supposed to join the army. But he couldn't because he was very nearsighted. Around this time, he changed his name to George Burns. He said he chose "George" from his brother Izzy and "Burns" from a coal company whose trucks he used to take coal from.
George worked with many different dance partners and comedians. But he didn't find the right partner until he met Gracie Allen in 1923. She was a young Irish Catholic woman. George later said, "The audience realized I had a talent. They were right. I did have a talent—and I was married to her for 38 years." George and Gracie got married in 1926.
From Stage to Movies
George and Gracie started making short comedy films in the late 1920s and early 1930s. They appeared in movies like The Big Broadcast (1932) with Bing Crosby and A Damsel in Distress (1937) with Fred Astaire. Their last film together for a long time was Honolulu in 1939.
In 1938, a movie producer wanted Burns and Allen to star with Bing Crosby. But the story didn't fit their comedy style. So, the script was changed for two male stars: Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. This movie became Road to Singapore (1940), which was the first of many popular "Road" films.
Radio Stars
George and Gracie first appeared on radio as funny guests for bandleader Guy Lombardo. They soon got their own radio show, which started on February 15, 1932. Their show used their classic stage routines and short comedy scenes. They were also known for clever publicity stunts, like Gracie's search for her "missing brother."
At first, their radio show pretended they were not married. Gracie was the object of George's affection. But as their audience knew they were married in real life, the show changed in 1941. They started playing a married couple.
A New Kind of Comedy Show
As the show continued, George and his writers changed it again to a situation comedy in 1941. This new format focused on their married life and their friends and neighbors. It was similar to The Jack Benny Program, where George and Gracie played entertainers with their own weekly radio show.
This new format was very successful. It helped their show become one of the few classic radio comedies to completely change and become popular again.
Funny Friends and Catchphrases
The show had many funny supporting characters. Mel Blanc played the "Happy Postman," whose catchphrase was "Remember, keep smiling!" Bea Benaderet and Hal March played their neighbors, Blanche and Harry Morton. One running joke was George's singing voice, which Gracie lovingly called "Sugar Throat." The show was so popular that it stayed in the Top 10 ratings for the rest of its time on radio.
In 1949, after 12 years, George and Gracie moved their show back to CBS, where they had first become famous. Their friend Jack Benny also moved to CBS and convinced them to join him. This helped CBS when George and Gracie moved to television in 1950.
Television Success
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
On television, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show brought their radio characters to life. The show had some fun changes:
- Different actors played their neighbor, Harry Morton, over the years.
- George often talked directly to the audience, sharing jokes and commenting on what the other characters were doing. In later shows, he would even watch the other characters on a TV screen when he wasn't on camera.
- When their announcer Bill Goodwin left, George hired Harry Von Zell. Harry played a good-natured, easily confused announcer and friend. He often got "fired" by George as a running joke.
- The first TV shows were like their radio show, with long commercials. But this didn't work well on TV, so they changed it to a standard situation comedy format. The commercials were separate from the story.
- Later in the show's run, George and Gracie's two children, Sandra and Ronald, started appearing. Ronnie joined the regular cast in season 6, playing their on-screen son. His character was an aspiring actor who didn't understand his parents' comedy.
George and Gracie also started their own company, McCadden Corporation. They used it to film TV shows and commercials. Besides their own hit show, their company produced other popular series like The Bob Cummings Show and Mister Ed, which starred a talking horse!
The George Burns Show
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show ran on CBS Television from 1950 to 1958. Gracie wanted to retire because she was getting tired from working full-time. George finally agreed.
George tried to continue the show without Gracie, but it only lasted one more year. It just wasn't the same without her funny "Gracie-isms."
Wendy and Me
Later, George created another sitcom called Wendy and Me. He starred with Connie Stevens. George mostly acted as the narrator, giving advice to Connie Stevens' character, who was similar to Gracie. He often talked to the viewers, just like he did in the Burns and Allen show. This series also lasted only one year.
The Sunshine Boys and a Big Comeback
After Gracie passed away in 1964, George kept himself busy with work. He produced other TV shows and toured the U.S. performing in nightclubs and theaters. He also did solo concerts, singing, dancing, and telling jokes.
In 1974, George's good friend Jack Benny was supposed to star in the movie The Sunshine Boys. But Jack's health was failing. He asked George to fill in for him on some nightclub dates. George loved working and accepted the job. This led to his first major movie role in 36 years.
George later said, "The happiest people I know are the ones that are still working. The saddest are the ones who are retired."
Jack Benny passed away in December 1974. George was heartbroken and gave a eulogy at the funeral. He said, "I cannot imagine my life without Jack Benny, and I will miss him so very much."
George replaced Jack Benny in The Sunshine Boys movie. This was a huge turning point in his career. His wise and funny performance as Al Lewis won him the 1975 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. At 80 years old, George was the oldest Oscar winner at that time! This award made his career popular again.
Oh, God! and Other Films
In 1977, George Burns starred in another hit movie, Oh, God!. He played God, who chooses a supermarket manager (played by John Denver) to spread his message. George's image in the movie, wearing a sailor's cap and light jacket, became very famous.
Oh, God! was so popular that it had two sequels: Oh, God! Book II and Oh, God! You Devil. In Oh, God! You Devil, George played both God and the devil!
George continued to act in films and TV even after his 90th birthday. One of his last movies was 18 Again! (1988). In this film, he played an 81-year-old man who switches bodies with his 18-year-old grandson. His very last film role was a small appearance in the 1994 comedy Radioland Murders.
In his later years, George also performed stand-up comedy in nightclubs. He always smoked a cigar on stage. He joked that he timed his monologues by how much his cigar had burned down. George once quipped, "In my youth, they called me a rebel. When I was middle-aged, they called me eccentric. Now that I'm old, I'm doing the same thing I've always done and they're calling me senile."
Final Years and Passing
George Burns stayed healthy for most of his life. He exercised daily by swimming, walking, doing sit-ups, and push-ups. He drove new Cadillacs every year until he was 93!
In 1986, when George turned 90, the city of Los Angeles renamed a street "George Burns Road." City rules usually don't allow naming streets after living people, but they made an exception for him. In 1995, for his 99th birthday, another street was renamed "Gracie Allen Drive." George was there for the ceremony and joked, "It's good to be here at the corner of Burns & Allen. At my age, it's good to be anywhere!"
In July 1994, George fell in his bathtub and hurt his head. He had surgery but never fully recovered. His performing career ended. In February 1995, George received the first-ever SAG Lifetime Achievement Award. In December of that year, just before his 100th birthday, he caught the flu, which made him weaker.
George had a contract to perform stand-up comedy at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on his 100th birthday, January 20, 1996. But he was too weak to perform that day. He released a funny statement, joking that he would love to have "a night with Sharon Stone."
George Burns passed away on March 9, 1996, 49 days after his 100th birthday, at his home in Beverly Hills. His funeral was held three days later. George had always said he looked forward to being with Gracie again in Heaven. His crypt marker was changed to "Gracie Allen (1902–1964) & George Burns (1896–1996)—Together Again." George always wanted Gracie to have top billing.
Legacy and Recognition
George Burns has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for movies, one for television, and one for live performances. He and Gracie Allen were also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1988.
His life story is even told in a play called Say Goodnight, Gracie, which features only one actor.
Images for kids
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Burns in 1961
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Burns, Allen and children just before sailing for Hawaii in 1938
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George Burns and Gracie Allen, 1955.
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George Burns in 1986
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Crypt of George Burns, in the Freedom Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Glendale
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The handprints of George Burns in front of The Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
