Allan Burns, a television producer and screenwriter best known for co-creating and co-writing for television sitcoms The Munsters, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Rhoda, died Saturday at home. He was 85 years old and no details were immediately available on the cause of death.
Dan Pasternack, producer and programming executive and a longtime family friend, said Burns was the mentor of many. “As much as he was a legend, and as diverse as his career was, the most remarkable thing about Allan Burns was how kind he was to so many people.”
Burns was born on May 18, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the University of Oregon from 1953 to 1957 before going to Los Angeles and entering show business.
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His first venture included working with animation for Jay Ward in The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right, and Jorge da Selva. He is also credited for co-writing the unplayed pilot episode of The Smothers Brothers Show 1965.
Among his other accomplishments in his early days was creating the cartoon character Cap’n Crunch for Quaker Oats.
Burns formed a writing partnership with Chris Hayward, and the team created The Munsters (1964) and My mom the car (1965). They also worked as story editors for the CBS series He She, winning an Emmy Award for comedy screenwriter. They also came together as story editors for the classic Stay smart.
In 1969, Burns joined forces with James L. Brooks. Burns joined the writing team at Room 222 and later produced the series.
Grant Tinker noticed and hired Burns and Brooks to develop a program for Mary Tyler Moore. The vehicle debuted in 1970 and its popularity spawned spin-offs as Lou Grant and Rhoda.
The Burns film curriculum includes a script for the film A little romance, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also wrote the scripts for Butch and Sundance: the first days, just the way you are, and wrote and directed Just between friends.
One achievement that Burns was particularly proud of was the creation The Duck Factory, a sitcom that launched the career of comedian Jim Carrey.
Burns gave an extensive interview to the Television Academy Foundation about the platform’s early days and career. The full interviews can be found here.
Actor Ed Asner, who played the rude Lou Grant on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and in his own series, sent a tweet acknowledging the passage.
Survivors include his wife, Joan, two children, Matt and Eric, their wives and several grandchildren.
No details about the memorial service were available immediately.
I am very saddened by the passing of Allan Burns. A mensch like no other, a friend and incredibly talented. Say hello to the Allan gang. pic.twitter.com/Bgk9gyepiT
– Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) January 31, 2021