George Burns Performs At ChicagoFest In 1982 Editorial Photo

George Burns, comedian, actor, singer, and writer, entertains at the age of 86 at ChicagoFest on August 5, 1982. Burns' over 9-decade show business career spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. He gained fame by performing with his real-life wife, comedienne Gracie Allen. Their popular weekly CBS tv comedy show, `The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show` ran from 1950-1958. She died at 69 in 1964. Burns had different female nightclub partners thereafter, keeping his career alive. But he had a resurgence when, at the age of 80 he became the oldest man to win an Oscar for his performance in `The Sunshine Boys.` He followed up with a major commercial success, playing the title role, opposite John Denver, in the comedy, `Oh, God!' His familiar prop was a cigar. He smoked since he was 14, growing up in New York City. Burns died on March 9, 1996 in Beverly Hills California at the age of 100.