George Burns, born Nathan Birnbaum (January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996), was an American comedian and actor. His career spanned vaudeville, film, radio, and television, with and without his equally legendary wife, Gracie Allen. His arched eyebrow and cigar smoke punctuation became familiar trademarks for over three quarters of a century. Enjoying a remarkable career resurrection that began at age 79, and ended shortly before his death at age 100, George Burns was better known in the last two decades of his life than at any other time in his life and career.