Famous People Who Overcame Dyslexia
George Burns
 George
Burns (January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996) was a legendary
American vaudeville comedian who went on to work in movies,
radio, and early television. He was born as Nathan Birnbaum
to Louis and Dorothy Birnbaum, the ninth of twelve children,
in New York City, New York.
Burns teamed with his second wife Gracie
Allen as "Burns & Allen"; they built their routines
and their television sitcom around situations where she said
(and did) ditsy things and he made wry comments as asides
to the audience, often while brandishing a cigar or golf club.
Gracie retired due to poor health in 1958 and died in 1964.
After Allen's death, many considered Burns
a "has been" until he co-starred with Walter Matthau
in the 1975 movie adaptation of Neil Simon's hit play The
Sunshine Boys. Matthau and Burns played feuding comics reunited
for a television special. Burns had been lifelong friends
with Jack Benny and Benny was originally slated to make the
film, but after being diagnosed with cancer, he requested
Burns get the role instead. Although he had not made a film
since 1939 and had never really "acted" before,
Burns won wide acclaim and an Academy Award for best supporting
actor.
In 1977, Burns made another hit film Oh,
God!, playing the title role opposite John Denver. The film
inspired two sequels. Burns continued to be active well into
his nineties, writing a number of books and appearing in films
and television.
Burns remained deeply devoted to Allen after
she passed away. He never re-married, and though he developed
a running joke of being a sexy senior citizen (he was often
seen in the company of beautiful young women), he was never
crude and his devotion to his wife was unquestioned up until
his death. On his relationships, he said, "I'd go out
with women my age, but there are no women my age."
Burns had long planned to celebrate his 100th
birthday by performing at the London Palladium. However, in
1994, Burns was badly injured in a fall and his health steadily
declined. He died forty three days after his 100th birthday
in 1996. Burns faced death very bravely; he often said that
in a way he was looking forward to it. He believed he would
be reunited with Gracie in Heaven.
Additional Links:
George
Burns - Going in Style
George Burns
- IMDb Earth's Biggest Movie Database
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