‘The Munsters’ Co-Creator, ‘Mary Tyler Moore’ – Deadline

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Allan Burns, a television producer and screenwriter best known for his co-creation and co-writing for television sitcoms The Munsters, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Rhoda, died at home on Saturday. He was 85 years old and no details were immediately available on the cause of death.

Dan Pasternack, producer and programming director and longtime family friend, said Burns was a mentor to many. “As much a legend as he was, and such a diverse career as he loved it, the most remarkable thing about Allan Burns was his kindness to so many people.

Burns was born June 14, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the University of Oregon from 1953 to 1957 before moving to Los Angeles and entering show business.

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His first venture included working in animation for Jay Ward on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right, and George of the Jungle. He is also credited with co-writing the un-broadcast pilot episode of The Smothers Brothers Show from 1965.

Among his other achievements in his early days, he created 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 mother the car (1965). They also worked as story editors for the CBS series He she, winning an Emmy Award for Comedy Writing. They also teamed up as story writers for the classic Get smart.

In 1969, Burns joined forces with James L. Brooks. Burns joined the editorial team of 222 room and later produced the series.

Grant Tinker took note and hired Burns and Brooks to develop a show for Mary Tyler Moore. The vehicle was created in 1970 and its popularity spawned spinoffs such as Lou Grant and Rhoda.

Burns’ film resume includes script for the film A little romance, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also wrote the screenplays for Butch and Sundance: the early days, as you are, and wrote and directed Just between friends.

One of the accomplishments that Burns was particularly proud of was creating The duck plant, a sitcom that launched the career of comedian Jim Carrey.

Burns sat down for a lengthy interview with the Television Academy Foundation about the platform’s early days and career. The full interviews can be found here.

Actor Ed Asner, who played gruff Lou Grant on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and his own series, sent a tweet acknowledging the passing.

The survivors include his wife, Joan, his two sons, Matt and Eric, their wives and several grandchildren.

No details of a memorial service were immediately available.



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