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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

Genres

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  1. 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.

  2. Beyond film

    In Hello, Dolly from 1964, Burns played the original Horace Vandergelder and introduced the hit song "It Takes a Woman".

  3. 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

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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  1. Let's Make Love1960 Comedy, Musical, Romanceas Oliver Burton

    IMDb rating 6.48.8K votes

  2. It's Always Fair Weather1955 Comedy, Romanceas Tim

    IMDb rating 7.04.4K votes

  3. The Saint in London1939as Dugan

    IMDb rating 6.51.1K votes

  4. Knock on Wood1954as Marty Brown

    IMDb rating 6.71.3K votes

  5. St. Martin's Lane1938as Hackett

    IMDb rating 6.91.7K votes

  6. Deep in My Heart1954as Lazar Berrison Sr.

    IMDb rating 6.41.1K votes

  7. Move1970as Doorman

    IMDb rating 5.1224 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.

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Films together

Awards

One award and honor, one of them major.

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David Burns's awards and nominations, grouped by award
YearAwardFilmResult
Emmy Awards
1971Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesITV Sunday Night TheatreWon

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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