Cause of death Cancer Name Ronnie Burns Occupation Actor Role Television actor | Years active 1950–61 Siblings Sandra Burns Children 3 | |
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Full Name Ronald Jon Burns (name given after adoption) Parents Gracie Allen, George Burns Spouse Janice Powell Burns (m. 1977–2007), Peggy Burns (m. 1966–1972) Similar People George Burns, Gracie Allen, Sandra Burns, Bea Benaderet | ||
Ronald Jon "Ronnie" Burns (July 9, 1935 – November 14, 2007) was an American television actor. He is primarily remembered as the son of comedians George Burns and Gracie Allen and a regular cast member of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950–58) on CBS.
Contents
Biography
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Ronnie Burns was five weeks old when he was adopted in Chicago September 27, 1935, by George Burns and Gracie Allen. His older sister, Sandra Jean, had been adopted the year before and was then 13 months old. According to George Burns, Ronnie had been the most sickly baby up for adoption from the agency, and Gracie chose him because she particularly felt he needed their help.
On October 10, 1955, Burns joined the cast of the CBS television series, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, playing himself but cast as a novice actor and college student studying drama who tended to look askance at his parents' comedy style. He first appeared on the show on October 18, 1954 as the bridesgroom on the episode "Gracie Gives a Wedding in Payment of a Favor" (Season 5 - Episode 3). Upon joining the show full-time, numerous episodes revolved around the fictional Ronnie Burns' dating and social life. His good looks and popularity helped the show gain the attention of younger viewers in its final years. Later he appeared on The George Burns Show (1958–59), a short-lived series produced after his mother retired from show business.
Burns starred in the 1960–61 NBC comedy series Happy, in which he and Yvonne Lime Fedderson played Chris and Sally Day, the parents of a talking baby. He played the manager of the Palm Desert Hotel in Palm Springs. Lloyd Corrigan, Doris Packer, and Burt Metcalfe had supporting roles.
He made an uncredited appearance as Wallace on the Young at Heart episode of The Honeymooners, which featured Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) trying to roller skate with disastrous results. Burns made a cameo appearance on Bachelor Father starring John Forsythe.
Never comfortable with celebrity, Burns left acting. He produced a situation comedy, Wendy and Me (1964–65), in which his father starred. He then went into real estate investment and raised horses at a ranch he owned in Santa Ynez, California.
Ronnie Burns died November 14, 2007, of cancer, at his Pacific Palisades home. He was survived by his wife Janice, three sons and six grandchildren.
Filmography
Actor
1961
The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) as
Jeff Richards
- Mr. K Goes to College (1961) - Jeff Richards
1961
Anatomy of a Psycho as
Mickey
1960
Happy (TV Series) as
Chris Day
- Class of '61 (1961) - Chris Day
- Strawberries, Sugar and Cream (1961) - Chris Day
- The First Spanking (1961) - Chris Day
- Let George Do It (1961) - Chris Day
- Where Am I Going? (1961) - Chris Day
- Howie (1961) - Chris Day
- Happy's Holiday (1960) - Chris Day
- Help Wanted (1960) - Chris Day
- The Father Image (1960) - Chris Day
- A Bachelor for Clara (1960) - Chris Day
- The Honeymoon (1960) - Chris Day
- Bad Day at Helldorado (1960) - Chris Day
- Chris' Night Out (1960) - Chris Day
- Charlie's First Love (1960) - Chris Day
- Happy Knows Best (1960) - Chris Day
- The Wedding Anniversary (1960) - Chris Day
1960
Shotgun Slade (TV Series) as
Collins
- Street of Terror (1960) - Collins
1960
The Deputy (TV Series) as
Morgan Burch
- Lawman's Blood (1960) - Morgan Burch
1959
The Millionaire (TV Series) as
Vic Griffin
- Millionaire Ann Griffin (1959) - Vic Griffin
1958
The George Burns Show (TV Series) as
Ronnie Burns
- George Invests in a Record Company (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- The Monster Trend (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Breaking Up the Team (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- The Orchid Room or Contract to Sing (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Takes an Apartment (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Howard Duff Guests (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Xavier Cugat and Abbe Lane Guest (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Carol Channing Guests (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Rosemary Clooney Guests (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- George on Juke Box Jury (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Jimmie Rodgers Moves in with Ronnie (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Anna Maria Alberghetti Guests (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- George Signs Carol Channing (1959) - Ronnie Burns
- Dale Robertson & The Lennon Sisters (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- La Vie En Rose or A Wife for Christmas (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Eddie Fisher Guests (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- George's Eviction (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Tony Martin Visits (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The 18 Year Old Novelist (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- A Walk on for George (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The French Revue (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Jack Benny Comes Over (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- George and the Private Eye (1958) - Ronnie Burns
1958
Bachelor Father (TV Series) as
Ronnie Burns
- Kelly's Mad Crush (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Woman of the House (1958) - Ronnie Burns
1958
General Electric Theater (TV Series) as
Vince
- The World's Greatest Quarterback (1958) - Vince
1951
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV Series) as
Ronnie Burns / A Tourist / Jim / ...
- The Exchange Student (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The Grammar School Dance (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Summer School (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The June Wedding (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The Week in New York (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Locked Out (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Goes Into the Army (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- A Visit from Charles Vidor (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Royalty Check (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Makes a Record (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Gracie and the Jury (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Blanche Gets a Jury Notice (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The Publicity Marriage (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Softening the Professor (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- High Blood Pressure (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Frozen Passion (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Fan Club (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Gracie Is Brilliant (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Hypnotizing Gracie (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The Japanese Texan (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The Accident (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Too Many Fathers (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- McAfee and the Manicurist (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Finds a Friend an Apartment (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- The Stolen Car (1958) - Ronnie Burns
- Invitation to the Party (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Old Mink Coat (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- A Hole in the Carpet (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Misery Loves Company (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- A Box of Cigars (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- With or Without Glasses (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- One Little Fight (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The African Hunter (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Star Maker (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- September and May (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- An English Tea (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Texan Italian (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Too Much Pot Roast (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The General (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Twenty-One (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- A Pain in the Back (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Wading Pool at Acapulco (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- A Marital Mix-Up (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Blanche's Mother Arrives (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Home Graduation (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- A Trip to Tahiti (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Boat (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Texan Lady MacBeth (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Publicity Romance (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Harry Returns Early (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Plumber's Union (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Gets a Movie Role (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Stray Dog (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Going to Houston (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Plumber's Friend (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Ring (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- $15,000.00 Error (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Termites (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Fighting for Happiness (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Fortune Teller (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Matrimonial Bureau (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Going to Palm Springs (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Aptitude Test (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Ugly Duckling (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- Gracie and the Bullfighter (1957) - Ronnie Burns
- The Costume Party (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Christmas in Jail (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Quits College Because His Father Goes Broke (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Girl Behind the Perfume Counter (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Refrigerator Salesman (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Von Zell's Raises (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- George's Gray Suit (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Missing Stamp (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Bashful (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Initiation (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Interview (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Woman in the Car (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Shakespeare Paper (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Return to California (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Switchboard Operator (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Mrs. Sohmers Needs a Psychologist (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Triple Surprise Party (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Questions and Answers (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Night Out (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Is Lovesick (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Twenty-Four Dresses (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Back from Paris (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- A Paris Creation (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Magic Act (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Right People (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Burlesk (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Night of Vaudeville (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Newlyweds (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- A Weekend on Long Island (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The English Playwright (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Stolen Plants (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Cyrano De Bergerac (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Ladies' Club (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- The Indian Potentate (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- George Needs Glasses (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Alice Gets Married (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Politeness Never Pays (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Gets an Agent (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- George Goes Skiing (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Let's Dance (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Appearances Are Deceiving (1956) - Ronnie Burns
- Gracie Pawns Her Ring (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Company for Christmas (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie's Elopement (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- George Becomes a Dictator (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Anniversary Party (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Gracie Helps Lola (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Moves to the Village (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- The Musical Version (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Harry Morton's Cocktail Party (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Changing Names (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Meets Sabrina (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Arrives (1955) - Ronnie Burns
- Lucille Vanderlip Gives a Barbeque Party (1955) - A Tourist (as Ronald Burns)
- Gracie Gets an Extension Visa for Jeanette Duval (1955) - Jim
- Gracie Consults Dr. Kirby's Problem Clinic (1955) - Mr. Leslie
- Gracie Gives Wedding in Payment of a Favor (1954) - Jim Goodwin
- Gracie Buys a Toaster Wholesale (1954) - Mr. Evans
- Uncle Clyde Comes to Visit/Renting Room (1953) - Ronnie Burns (uncredited)
- The Vanderlips' Dinner Party (1951) - Ronnie Burns
1958
Panic! (TV Series) as
Joe Kretcher
- Double Identity (1958) - Joe Kretcher
1958
The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) as
Ronnie Burns
- Ronnie Burns Show (1958) - Ronnie Burns
1957
Bernardine as
Griner
1957
Playhouse 90 (TV Series) as
Bobby Talbot
- The Helen Morgan Story (1957) - Bobby Talbot
1956
Matinee Theatre (TV Series)
- A Family Affair (1956)
1956
Front Row Center (TV Series) as
Johnny Cooper
- Uncle Barney (1956) - Johnny Cooper
1956
The Honeymooners (TV Series) as
Wallace
- Young at Heart (1956) - Wallace (uncredited)
1955
Shower of Stars (TV Series) as
Tommy Green
- Time Out for Ginger (1955) - Tommy Green
Soundtrack
1958
The George Burns Show (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- George and the Private Eye (1958) - (performer: "Kinda Cute", "Double Date" - uncredited)
1956
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV Series) (performer - 3 episodes)
- Ronnie Makes a Record (1958) - (performer: "Kinda Cute" - uncredited)
- A Pain in the Back (1957) - (performer: "Jamaica Farewell")
- Christmas in Jail (1956) - (performer: "Jingle Bells" - uncredited)
1958
The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- Ronnie Burns Show (1958) - (performer: "She's Kinda Cute' - uncredited)
Self
2003
Larry King Live (TV Series) as
Self
- George Burns and Gracie Allen Remembered (2003) - Self
2002
Biography (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Gracie Allen: The Better Half (2002) - Self
1959
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (TV Series) as
Self
- Bobby Rydell, Alan King, Yvonne Lime, Ronnie Burns, Elizabeth Seal (1961) - Self
- Eve Arden, Max Bygraves, Ronnie Burns (1959) - Self
1960
About Faces (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 8 August 1960 (1960) - Self
1956
The Juke Box Jury (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 26 December 1958 (1958) - Self
- Episode dated 21 December 1956 (1956) - Self
1958
The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- NBC Fall Preview (1958) - Self - Guest
1955
Hollywood Mothers and Fathers (Documentary short) as
Self
1955
This Is Your Life (TV Series) as
Self
- George Burns (1955) - Self
1946
Screen Snapshots Series 25, No. 10: Famous Fathers and Sons (Documentary short) as
Self
References
Ronnie Burns (actor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA