Jack Burns, George Carlin's comedy partner, 'The Muppet Movie' and 'The Muppet Show' writer, dies aged 86
George Carlin's comedy partner Jack Burns who worked on two adult animated series and was nominated for two Emmys has died at the age of 86. He is one of the original writers of the 'The Muppet Show' and 'The Muppet Movie'. The former comedian lived in senior care for the past two years and according to his manager Peter Santana, he also celebrated his 31st year of sobriety in December. Burns died due to respiratory failure in Toluca Lake, California.
Carlin's daughter Kelly wrote, "A foundational piece of the Carlin legacy has gone to the big comedy club in the sky. Jack was one of the sharpest motherf*****s I knew. He shaped my father’s mind in unique ways. RIP Jack Burns."
Burns started off as Carlin's partner, who went on to become the first host of 'Saturday Night Live'. He then met his second comedy partner, Avery Schreiber, at Chicago's Second City comedy troupe. Burns and Schreiber went on to perform on Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, 'The Merv Griffin Show', 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' and 'The Ed Sullivan Show'.
Burns was also part of Andy Griffith's 'The Andy Griffith Show'. However, his character Deputy Sheriff Warren did not gain much popularity and so he lasted all of 11 episodes on the show. His other shows include 'The Partridge Family', 'Happy Days' and 'Getting Together'. 'Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home' was a show which saw Burns voice the role of Ralph.
Becoming the head writer and producer on the first season of 'The Muppet Show' was Burns' most well-accomplished role. He also hosted an episode of 'Saturday Night Live' in 1977.
