George Burns
Comedy history · 12 facts, each from at least two of 5 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17
George Burns was a vaudeville performer who also found success with his wife, Gracie Allen, in a popular act on radio and television.1,2 Born Nathan Birnbaum in 1896, he died on March 9, 1996.1,3,4,5
Early life
Burns was born on January 20, 1896, in the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City.1,3,4 His name at birth was Nathan Birnbaum.3,4,5,6
Partnership with Gracie Allen
Burns created the material for the character that Allen portrayed.1,4 The duo went on to appear at the Palace.4,6 Their act was heard on radio programs as well.4,6 The final film the pair made together was Honolulu, released in 1939.3,4 During the 1950s, the two starred in a television comedy that bore both of their names.3,7
Other work and honors
The film Oh, God! ranked among the most successful of his movies.2,3,4 Burns was the author of a book titled Living it Up.2,4,6 The Hollywood Walk of Fame features three stars honoring him.4,8
Sources
- From the Archives: George Burns, Comedy's Elder Statesman, Dies - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) · archived copy
- George Burns, Laughing All the Way - The Washington Post (washingtonpost.com) · archived copy
- George Burns Dies At 100 `Good Night, Gracie. Good Night, George.' - philly-archives (philly.com) · archived copy
- Cigar Aficionado | People Profile | George Burns (cigaraficionado.com) · archived copy
- George Burns - Hollywood Walk of Fame (walkoffame.com)
- From the Archives: George Burns, Comedy's Elder Statesman, Dies - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
- Remembering George Burns | Cigar Aficionado (cigaraficionado.com)
- George Burns | Hollywood Walk of Fame (walkoffame.com) · archived copy
Updated November 12, 2026.