Stan Burns, 79, an Emmy-winning comedy writer for the top variety shows of the 1950s through the '70s -- including "The Steve Allen Show," "The Flip Wilson Show," "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" and "The Carol Burnett Show" -- died Tuesday of heart failure at the Motion Picture & Television Fund retirement home in Woodland Hills.
As a member of the Burnett show writing staff, Burns won a 1971-72 Emmy for outstanding writing achievement in variety or music programs.
In New York in the 1950s, he wrote for "Broadway Open House," starring Jerry Lester; the original "Tonight Show," starring Steve Allen; and "The Steve Allen Show."
He teamed with his longtime writing partner, Mike Marmer, in the early '60s to work on variety shows and sitcoms, including "Get Smart," "F-Troop" and "Gilligan's Island." Burns and Marmer, who died earlier this year, worked together through the 1970s on various shows, including "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts."
