THE SUNSHINE BOYS (Comedy - PG)

George Burns won his Supporting Oscar for playing the retired vaudevillian who's making an appearance on television with his former partner.

George Burns (1896 - 1996)

American vaudeville comedian, born in New York, Burns' birthname was Nathan Birnbaum.

He dropped out of school in fourth grade.

Both George Burns and partner Grace Allen were both seasoned vaudvillians by the 1920's when they gained distinction as a comedy pair, George Burns playing straightman to her scatterbrained zanyness. Allen and Burns were also married from 1926 until her death in 1964.

George Burns was best friends with fellow comedian Jack Benny. Benny also served as Burns' best man at his wedding to Gracie Allen. Jack Benny and George Burns were also in COLLEGE HOLIDAY together.

The pair started working in films after the advent of sound in pictures and started recreating their popular stage acts in film shorts. Around 1930 they signed a contract with paramount to do support comedy in the studio's musicals and comedies. From 1950-58 they had "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" on CBS.

After Gracie Allen's death in 1964, Burns disappeared from films until making The Sunshine Boys in 1975, for which he won his Oscar.

George Burns remained active in the public eye and in the entertainment business until his death in 1996, soon after his 100th birthday.

some of George Burns' other notable films include:

THE BIG BROADCAST
WALKING THE BABY
OH MY OPERATION
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
COLLEGE HUMOR
THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936
THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1937
A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
OH GOD
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
JUST YOU AND ME KID
GOING IN STYLE
OH GOD - BOOK 2
OH GOD - YOU DEVIL
TWO OF A KIND
18 AGAIN
RADIOLAND MURDERS
A CENTURY OF CINEMA

George burns' television credits include:

THE BURNS AND ALLEN SHOW (50-57 series)
THE GEORGE BURNS SHOW (59-60 series)
WENDY AND ME (series)
GEORGE BURNS COMEDY WEEK ('85 TV Series)