LOS ANGELES — Ronnie Burns, the son of George Burns and Gracie Allen who played himself on his parents' TV show in the 1950s, has died. He was 72.

Ronnie Burns, 72, the son of George Burns and Gracie Allen who appeared occasionally with the comedy team on television in the 1950s, died of cancer Wednesday at his Pacific Palisades home, said ...

By his side were his son, Ronnie Burns, a nurse and a housekeeper. “There was no pain, no suffering, thank God,” said Fein. In January, Burns was unable to attend his 100th birthday party.

(Originally published by the Daily News on March 11, 1996.) Before we loved Lucy, before Ralph and Alice were Honeymooners, George Burns and Gracie Allen were charming America as stars of their own… ...

In real life, George & Gracie were happily married and therefore it is my hope that our son and his fiance' will enjoy that same happiness that the Burns did. See you next time. More from CBS News ...