David Burns
Biography
David Burns was an American stage and film actor and singer whose career in comedies and musicals ran almost fifty years. Born in Manhattan, he debuted on Broadway in Polly Preferred in 1923 and then worked in London, appearing in British films. His most famous screen role there came in The Saint in London (1939), playing the New York sidekick to George Sanders. He returned to New York in 1940 and did not appear in another film until Fourteen Hours in 1951. On stage he won Tony Awards as featured actor in a musical for The Music Man and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and he introduced the song It Takes a Woman in Hello, Dolly. He also won a Primetime Emmy for the 1971 television production of The Price.
68years old at death
- Born Manhattan
- Died Philadelphia
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
Movie Career
- Films
- 8
- Career span
- 33 years1938 to 1971
Share
Did you know?!
Behind the award
Burns earned a Primetime Emmy Award in the supporting actor in a drama category for his role as Mr. Solomon in the 1971 Hallmark Hall of Fame TV special of Arthur Miller's The Price.
Beyond film
In Hello, Dolly from 1964, Burns played the original Horace Vandergelder and introduced the hit song "It Takes a Woman".
First role
In 1923 Burns first appeared on Broadway in Polly Preferred, and the following year he went with that production to London.
David Burns movies on Netflix
Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?as Leon Soloway
Moveas Doorman
Let's Make Loveas Oliver Burton
It's Always Fair Weatheras Tim
Deep in My Heartas Lazar Berrison Sr.
Knock on Woodas Marty Brown
The Saint in Londonas Dugan
St. Martin's Laneas Hackett
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?1971as Leon Soloway
IMDb rating 5.41.2K votes
Worked with
David Burns shares three films with Gene Kelly, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.








Films together
Gene Kelly3 films together, 1954 to 1960
Gene Kelly's page Let's Make Love1960IMDb rating 6.4Burns as Oliver BurtonKelly as Gene Kelly
It's Always Fair Weather1955IMDb rating 7.0Burns as TimKelly as Ted Riley
Deep in My Heart1954IMDb rating 6.4Burns as Lazar Berrison Sr.Kelly as Performer (segment "Dancing Around")
Rudy Bond2 films together, 1970 to 1971
Rudy Bond's page Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?1971IMDb rating 5.4Burns as Leon SolowayBond as Newsdealer
Move1970IMDb rating 5.1Burns as DoormanBond as Detective Sawyer
Dustin Hoffman1 film together, 1971
Dustin Hoffman's page Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?1971IMDb rating 5.4Burns as Leon SolowayHoffman as Georgie Soloway
George Sanders1 film together, 1939
George Sanders's page The Saint in London1939IMDb rating 6.5Burns as DuganSanders as Simon Templar
Chet Brandenburg1 film together, 1960
Chet Brandenburg's page Let's Make Love1960IMDb rating 6.4Burns as Oliver BurtonBrandenburg as Spectator on Sidewalk
Elliott Gould1 film together, 1970
Elliott Gould's page Move1970IMDb rating 5.1Burns as DoormanGould as Hiram Jaffe
Stanley DonenDirector, 2 films, 1954 to 1955
All films by Stanley Donen It's Always Fair Weather1955IMDb rating 7.0Burns as Tim
Deep in My Heart1954IMDb rating 6.4Burns as Lazar Berrison Sr.
Awards
One award and honor, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1971 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | ITV Sunday Night Theatre | Won |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


