Allan Burns, Co-Creator Of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Dies At 85

Allan Burns dies at age 85.
He was best known for co-creating ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and ‘The Munsters.’
Rest in peace.

Allan Burns, best known as the co-creator of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Munsters, has sadly died at the age of 85. His close collaborator James L. Brooks confirmed the sad news in an online statement.

“Alan Burns, my writing partner during the Mary Tyler Moore days, died yesterday,” Brooks wrote over the weekend. “His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition. But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have ever known. A beauty of a human.”

Allan Burns and his efforts in creating TV history

allan burns dead — Allan Burns / YouTube Screenshot

Since the news broke, stars of the shows have been coming out to share their sympathies and condolences. Ed Asner, known for starring on the sitcom and its spinoff Lou Grant, paid tribute. “I am so sad at the passing of the Allan Burns. A mensch like no other, a friend and so incredibly talented. Say hello to the gang Allan,” he writes on Twitter.

After developing a partnership with Chris Hayward, the two came up with The Munsters and My Mother the Car, and the duo went on to win an Emmy in 1968 for their role as story editors of the sitcom He & She. Later on, he began collaborating with Brooks and they were then hired by a television executive to develop a show for CBS starring Mary Tyler Moore… the rest truly is history as The Mary Tyler Moore Show went on to be a huge success and a staple in TV history.

Allan Burns, Co-Creator Of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'The Munsters,' Dies At 85 — Allan Burns / YouTube Screenshot

Aside from co-creating such memorable shows, he contributed to the screenplays for Butch and Sundance: The Early Days and Just the Way You Are. Additionally, he collaborated once more with Moore in 1986 on Just Between Friends, which he wrote, produced, and directed. Burns has also received a number of accolades for his work, including five Emmys, including for Outstanding Comedy Series three years in a row.

May he rest in peace.