Sandra Burns was the adopted daughter of the legendary comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen. She was an actress, a school counselor, and a mother of four daughters. She died on January 19, 2018, in La Jolla, California, at the age of 83. But what was the cause of her death? And what was her life like as a member of one of the most famous families in Hollywood history? This article will explore these questions and reveal some facts that you may not know about Sandra Burns.
Early Life and Adoption
Sandra Burns was born on July 28, 1934, in Illinois. She was adopted by George Burns and Gracie Allen when she was five weeks old, on September 27, 1935, in Chicago. According to IMD, George and Gracie had been trying to have a child for years, but Gracie suffered from several miscarriages. They decided to adopt a baby girl and named her Sandra Jean Burns.
Sandra grew up in a loving and supportive environment, surrounded by the glamour and humor of show business. She appeared on several episodes of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950), a popular sitcom that starred her parents as themselves. She also appeared in some short films and documentaries about her family, such as Meet the Stars #3: Variety Reel #1 (1941) and Bob Monkhouse’s Comedy Heroes (2004).
Sandra was not the only adopted child in the Burns-Allen family. In 1935, George and Gracie also adopted a baby boy named Ronnie Burns, who became Sandra’s brother. Ronnie was also an actor and a regular cast member of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. He died in 2007, at the age of 72.
Marriages and Children
Sandra Burns had three marriages in her life. Her first husband was Young James Wilhoite III, whom she married on August 8, 1953, when she was 19 years old. They had two daughters, Laura and Melissa Wilhoite. They divorced on July 12, 1957.
Her second husband was Rod Amateau, a writer, producer, and director who worked with George Burns on some of his projects. They married on September 1, 1959, but their marriage did not last long. They divorced on October 2, 1962.
Her third and final husband was Stephen Albert Luckman, the son of Charles Luckman, a famous architect who designed the Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Space Center. They married on February 12, 1964, in Los Angeles. They had two more daughters, Grace Anne and Brooke Luckman.
Sandra was a devoted mother to her four daughters. She also became a grandmother to six grandchildren. She was proud of her family and loved them dearly.
Career and Later Years
After her children were grown, Sandra decided to pursue a career as a school counselor in the San Diego school system. She had a passion for helping young people and making a difference in their lives. She was respected and admired by her colleagues and students.
Sandra also maintained a close relationship with her parents throughout their lives. She supported them in their careers and personal challenges. She was especially close to her mother, Gracie Allen, who suffered from heart problems and died in 1964, at the age of 58. Sandra was devastated by her loss and missed her terribly.
Sandra also witnessed the decline of her father’s health in his later years. George Burns lived to be 100 years old, but he suffered from several ailments, such as cataracts, hearing loss, arthritis, and dementia. He died in 1996, at his home in Beverly Hills.
Sandra inherited some of her parents’ wealth and properties after their deaths. She lived a comfortable and peaceful life in La Jolla, California.
Cause of Death
Sandra Burns died on January 19, 2018, in La Jolla, California. The cause of her death was not disclosed to the public. However, according to Everhere, she passed away following an undisclosed illness.
Sandra’s obituary was published in the Tampa Bay Times on December 12, 2021. It stated that she died at home surrounded by family. It also described her as “a loving wife, mother, grandmother” who “will be greatly missed by all who knew her”.
Sandra’s death marked the end of an era for the Burns-Allen family legacy. She was the last surviving member of the original cast of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. She was also the last living link to one of the most beloved couples in comedy history.
Sandra Burns left behind a rich and remarkable life story. She was a part of a family that made millions of people laugh and smile. She was a woman who had her own dreams and achievements. She was a person who loved and was loved by many. She was Sandra Burns, and this is her untold story.
