- Born
- Died
- Birth nameGrace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen
- Nickname
- Googie
- Height1.52 m
- Gracie Allen was born on July 26, 1895 in San Francisco, California, USA. She was an actress and writer, known for A Damsel in Distress (1937), The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) and The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939). She was married to George Burns. She died on August 27, 1964 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- SpouseGeorge Burns(January 7, 1926 - August 27, 1964) (her death, 2 children)
- Children
- Her scatterbrained antics to George Burns' straight man
- Innocent, high-pitched voice
- Most people did not know when she was born, as her birth certificate was lost during the California earthquake in 1906. She was usually evasive about her age and sometimes claimed to have been born in 1906, even though her birthday that year was three months after the earthquake. Whenever this was brought up she would cheekily respond, "Well, it was an awfully big earthquake." Her family was even forced to guess her birthdate for her death certificate and grave, settling on 1902. It was not revealed that she was actually born around 1895 until after her death, when the 1900 and 1910 Censuses became public and gave her age as 4 and 13 respectively, as well as her high school confirming she graduated in 1914.
- Had one blue eye and one green.
- Although she was in love with another man when they first met, George Burns carried a ring in his pocket until she finally agreed to marry him.
- The words "Together Again" are engraved on her and George Burns' crypt at the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California. This inscription replaced the previous one, "Good Night, Gracie", which appeared on the crypt prior to George's death. She is interred to the left of him as you view the crypt, not above him as has been previously reported, along with the explanation that George "wanted her to have top billing".
- Accidentally spilled a pot of boiling water on her arm as a child, which left a bad scar she kept concealed for the rest of her life (her one big wish was to wear a strapless evening gown and no gloves, just once).
- [explaining her "Gracie Allen" character] Gracie isn't really crazy. She makes sense in an illogical sort of way. She's off-center. Not quite right really, but nearly right.
- [explaining her "Gracie Allen" character] Gracie thought she was terribly smart. Gracie's character was different. Gracie thought everybody was out of step but her. She was always helping people. She was always sorry for you. Like if she would say, "My sister got up in the middle of the night, she screamed, she looked down at her feet and they turned black". You would say to her, "What did she do?" She was sorry for you for asking that question. She thought you were pretty dumb not to know what to do if your feet turned black. "She took off her stocking and went to sleep again."
- [explaining her "Gracie Allen" character] Gracie's the kind of girl who shortens the cord on the electric iron to save electricity.
- [on George Burns] My husband will never chase another woman. He's too fine, too decent, too old.
- [In a campaign speech (1940) when she was running opposite FDR on the 'Surprise Party' ticket] As I look around me and see all all these trusting and believing faces shining up at me with love and respect, tears come into my eyes. And do you know why? My girdle is killing me.
- Lambchops (1929) - $850
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