Nathan Birnbaum was born on January 20, 1896, at New York, New York. Birnbaum was the ninth of twelve children. His father was a Polish-born immigrant who supported his large family by being a part-time cantor and full time Kosher food inspector. As a child, the left-handed Birnbaum attended P.S. 22.

"My father had a beard that went from the third floor to the street" - George Burns

The elder Birnbaum died when Nathan was just seven years old. He then helped support the family by singing for pennies on Lower East Side street corners and saloons and on the Staten Island Ferry. In the fourth grade, he quit school to help support the family on a more full time basis.

Birnbaum entered vaudeville, changing his names, acts and partners constantly, gave little promise of his future success. One of his vaudeville partners was Sid Garfunkel, the father of Art Garfunkel, who went under the name of Sid Gary. Surprisingly, his first wife was his vaudeville partner Hannah Siegel.

In 1923, he teamed up with a 17 year old Irish Catholic actress from San Francisco, Gracie Allen. Their act was an instant success, which peaked during their 18 years of weekly shows on radio, followed by another eight years on television.

On January 7, 1926, Burns wed Allen.

"I'm the only Jew in the family. Because of Gracie, the two children were raised as Catholics and I've got seven Catholic grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. I used to eat fish every Friday, but always with my hat on." - George Burns

Burns, who attributed his success to playing straight man to the Allen, became an extremely wealthy man. He contributed millions of dollars to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for a research institute, which stands at the intersection of George Burns and Gracie Allen Drives, and for studies in cardiology and bio-medicine. He also endowed a program in medical education at Ben-Gurion University in Israel.

The couple's address was 720 Maple Drive, in Beverly Hills, California. The fictional address for the couple during the Burns & Allen Show was 312 Maple Drive. It is unknown whether this is a made-up address or there was a house there.

Allen retired in 1958, after three years in their professional partnership. Burns went solo, appearing frequently in night clubs in Las Vegas, London and other cities.

Allen died in 1964 and Burns arranged for the Episcopalian funeral services.

"I want to be buried next to her. Since I'm a Jew, I can't be buried in Catholic consecrated ground. I hope I made the right compromise." - George Burns

When Jack Benny died in 1974, Burns took over his part as an old time vaudevillian in the movie The Sunshine Boys. His role won an Oscar as best supporting actor at the age of 80.

He then starred in the movies "Oh, God!," and its two sequels.

"I played God three times - and without makeup." - George Burns

Burns' closest friends included Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Groucho Marx and George Jessel. They all met at the Hillcrest Country Club, Los Angeles, California. When he was in New York, Burns usually socialized at the legendary Friars Club.

The Hillcrest became Burns' home away from home. He showed up every day from 12:00pm to 3:00pm for his bridge game. A frequent partner was Irwin (Irkey) Goldenberg who described Burns as a "fairly decent player."

In 1994, Burns slipped and fell in a shower. He began using a wheelchair and became increasingly frail in health. He had to cancel scheduled centenary celebrations at the London Palladium and Caesar's Hotel in Las Vegas.

On January 20, 1996, Burns became a centurion. He attributed his longevity to his regular diet of martinis, smoking cigars, dating pretty women, and a desire to see Brooke Shields married. Burns ignored medical advice to change his lifestyle. He even dedicated one of his four books to the widows of his last six doctors.

Burns died just short of his two month anniversary of his 100th birthday on March 9, 1996 at Beverly Hills, California, of natural causes. Burns is the father of a son, Ronnie, who was with him when he died, his daughter, Sandra Luckman of San Diego; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

"The last time I saw George was two days before his death, when he arrived in a wheelchair for his bridge game." - Irwin Goldenberg

Burns was the uncle of Lou Weiss, Chairman of William Morris Agency. Weiss started in agency business with help of 'Uncle Nate' in the mailroom.

Famous quotes:

"I don't believe in dying...it's been done before."

"I'm not what you call a religious man. I don't believe in the hereafter. If I don't make them laugh here, I'm not going to make them laugh anywhere else. I don't think there is an audience where I'm going, but I'll take along my music just in case."

Burns is interred along with his wife Gracie Allen at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.

Burns' credits include:

Everything's George (2000)(computer-generated imagery); Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) as himself; A Century of Cinema (1994) as himself; Radioland Murders (1994) as Milt Lackey; George Burns - His Wit and Wisdom (1989) as himself; Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening (1989); Magic in the Magic Kingdom (aka Disney's Magic in the Magic Kingdom (1988) as himself; 18 Again! (1988) as Jack Watson Classic Comedy Teams (1986) Burns And Allen; Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets (aka Jim Henson's Muppet Video; Rowlf's Rhapsaodies with the Muppets; George Burns Comedy Week (1985); The Great Standups (aka Great Standups: Sixty Years of Laughter) (1984); Oh, God! You Devil (1984) as God/Harry O. Tophat; Grandpa, Will You Run with Me? (1983); Two of a Kind (1982) as Ross 'Boppy' Minor; Oh, God! Book II (1980) as God; Going in Style (1979) as Joe; Just You and Me, Kid (1979) as Bill; Movie Movie (1978); Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) as Mr. Kite; The Comedy Company (1978) as himself; Oh, God! (1977) as God; Circus of the Stars #2 (1977); Joys (aka Bob Hope Special: bob Hope in Joys) (1976); The Sunshine Boys (1975) as Al Lewis; The Mad, Mad, Mad Comedians(1970); Wendy and Me (1964) as himself; Music Shop (aka Buddy Bregman's Music Shop) (1963) as himself; The George Burns Show (1958); The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956) (voice); Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Beauty (1955) as himself; Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Grows Up (1954) as himself; The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (aka Burns and Allen Show) (1950); Screen Snapshots Series 25, No. 10: Famous Fathers and Sons (1946) as himself; Honolulu (1939) as Joe Duffy; College Swing (aka Swing) (1938) as George Jonas; Damsel in Distress, A (1937) as George Burns; College Holiday (1936) as George Hymen; The Big Broadcast of 1937 (1936) as Mr. Platt; The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1936) as George; Here Comes Cookie (aka Plot Thickens) (1935) as himself; Love in Bloom (1935) as himself; Many Happy Returns (1934) as Burns; We're Not Dressing (1934) as George; Six of a Kind (1934) as George Edwards; Let's Dance (1933) as George; College Humor (1933) as George; International House (1933) as Doctor Burns; Oh, My Operation (1932/I) as himself; Walking the Baby (1932) as George; Your Hat (1932) as himself; The Big Broadcast (1932) as George; The Babbling Book (1931) as himself; Fit to Be Tied (1931) as A Tie Customer; 100% Service (aka One Hundred Percent Service) (1931) as himself; Once Over, Light (1931) as Barbershop Customer; The Antique Shop (1931) as Customer; Pulling a Bone (1931) as Man with bone; Lambchops (1929) as himself; Mona McCluskey (1965) (executive producer); and Mister Ed (1961) Series (producer).

His guest appearances include:

The Golden Palace (1992); Alice (1976); The Muppet Show (1976); Ellery Queen (1975); Here's Lucy (1968); The Lucille Ball Show (1962); Mister Ed (1961); The Perry Como Show (1948); What's My Line? (1950); and The Jack Benny Program (1950).

Burns' Strip appearances include:

Caesars Palace - 1988, 1991, 1994, & 1995, Dunes - Unknown dates in 1960s; Frontier - 1969; Riviera - 1960, 1967, & 1970; Sahara - 1959-1961, & 1964; and Thunderbird - 1965.