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Allan Burns, Co-Creator of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', dies at 85

Allan Burns

The Baltimore native created some of the most iconic sitcoms in American history.

Screenwriter and producer Allan Burns, best known as the co-creator of iconic sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Munsters, and Rhoda, passed away yesterday at the age of 85.


James L. Brooks, Burns' writing partner for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, best known for his work on The Simpsons, announced his friend's death on Twitter yesterday afternoon. The icon was also mourned by Ed Asner, who starred on the sitcom and its spinoff, Lou Grant.

The icon was also mourned by Ed Asner, who starred on the sitcom and its spinoff, Lou Grant.

Burns began his career after leaving the University of Oregon to become an NBC page. His first works in the entertainment industry were on cartoons such as The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show and George of the Jungle. He also helped Quaker Oats create the iconic Cap'n Crunch cereal mascot.

Burns also won an Emmy alongside Chris Hayward for their work on the CBS show He and She before beginning his work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

He married Joan Bailey in 1964 and the couple have two children, Eric and Matthew.

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