Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen, who formed one-half of the famous comedy duo ‘Burns and Allen’ with husband George Burns, made her acting debut on stage at the age of 3, followed by an appearance on radio-show. Later, she performed as a folk-dancer and vaudeville artist, then formed a comedy act with her then-future husband, Burns.
Some of the duo’s acts were filmed, thus Allen’s first screen appearance was short-film of their vaudevillian act, ‘Lambchops’ (1929), followed by more such shorts as ‘Fit to be Tied’ (1930), ‘The Antique Shop’ (1931), ‘Once Over, Light’ (1931), ‘The Bubbling Brook’ (1932), ‘Let’s Dance’ (1933), and many more.
Allen’s first feature film appearance was in musical-comedy ‘The Big Broadcast’ (1932). In most of the films she worked alongside her husband Burns as pair ‘Burns & Allen.’ In 1933, she appeared in two comedy-films ‘International House’ starring W.C. Fields and Bing Crosby-starrer ‘College Humor.’ Further the couple starred in comedy ‘Six of a Kind’ (1937) and screwball musical-comedy ‘We’re not Dressing’ (1934).
Allen starred in her first leading role in comedy-film ‘Many Happy Returns’ (1934). Thereafter she starred in lead-roles opposite Burns in comedy-films ‘Love in Bloom’ (1935), ‘Here Comes Cookie’ (1935), ‘The Big Broadcast of 1937’ (1936), and ‘College Holliday’ (1936).
In their next musical-comedy film ‘A Damsel in Distress’ (1937) (inspired from P.G. Wodehouse novel), Allen (& Burns) matched dance steps with Hollywood’s dance-star Fred Astaire, earning acclaim. After starring as couple in comedies ‘College Swing’ (1938) and musical ‘Honolulu” (1939), Allen (without Burns) was leading lady of two comedy-mystery films ‘The Gracie Allen Murder Case’ (1939) (based on ‘Philo Vance’ novel by S.S. Van Dine) and then, ‘Mr.& Mrs. North’ (1942). She made a guest-appearance in her last movie ‘Two Girls & a Sailor’ (1944).
During 1930s and 1940s, Allen, with Burns, hosted popular radio-shows with many successful gags. In 1950, they starred in their own situation-comedy TV-show ‘The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show’ (1950-1958), which was immensely successful. Allen (and also, the show) earned several Emmy nominations. She chose to retire in 1958.