How a simple stage prop became one of the most recognizable cigars in entertainment history.
Burns proved that laughter and cigars age well together.
– Wilson Alvarez
TL:DR – 30-Second Summary
George Burns was one of the most recognizable cigar smokers in entertainment history. Born in 1896 and living to the age of 100, the legendary comedian turned a simple cigar into part of his stage identity. Burns smoked roughly 10 to 15 cigars per day, often using them as a comedic timing device during performances with his wife Gracie Allen. His relaxed presence with a cigar helped define a cultural image still associated with humor, conversation, and longevity in cigar culture today.
Few entertainers in history are more closely associated with cigars than George Burns.
For nearly eight decades on stage, radio, film, and television, Burns rarely appeared without a cigar in his hand. It became as recognizable as his glasses, voice, and perfectly timed humor.
Yet the cigar began not as a luxury but as a practical solution.
Early Life and Career
George Burns was born Nathan Birnbaum on January 20, 1896 in New York City. Raised on the Lower East Side in a Jewish immigrant family, Burns began performing in vaudeville as a teenager.
His comedy partnership with Gracie Allen would become one of the most successful duos in entertainment history.
Their radio show and later television series, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, brought them national fame.
But the cigar that became Burns’ trademark began with a simple problem.
Why George Burns Started Smoking Cigars
In the early 1920s, while performing on stage with Gracie Allen, Burns often stood quietly while she delivered long comedic monologues.
He needed something to do with his hands.
So he lit a cigar.
The cigar allowed him to:
• pause for comedic effect
• react silently to punchlines
• slow his pacing on stage
The audience loved it. The cigar stayed.
Burns reportedly smoked 10 to 15 cigars per day, though he often joked about it.
His favorite brand was El Producto, particularly the El Producto Queens cigar.
Unlike cigarette smokers, Burns insisted he never inhaled cigar smoke, a typical habit among traditional cigar smokers.
Travels to Cigar Lands
George Burns never became known as a traveler to cigar regions like Cuba or Nicaragua.
However, he performed extensively across the United States, including appearances in Miami, where cigar culture has long thrived.
By the mid-20th century, Miami had already become a hub for Cuban cigar manufacturing and culture.
Burns’ image as a relaxed cigar smoker fit perfectly with that lifestyle.
Longevity and the Famous Irony
George Burns lived to 100 years old, passing away on March 9, 1996 in Beverly Hills from natural causes related to age.
The irony was never lost on him.
He joked frequently that cigars were responsible for his long life.
One of his famous lines:
“If you live to be 100, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.”
Trivia About George Burns
• Burns won an Academy Award at age 79 for The Sunshine Boys
• He smoked cigars on stage for more than 70 years
• His cigar became a timing tool for comedy
• A cigar brand named George Burns Cigars was later released in his honor
• He planned a London stage show titled “George Burns at 100” shortly before his death
Wisdom from George Burns
Burns believed humor was the key to longevity.
“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”
For cigar lovers, that philosophy still resonates today.
A cigar, after all, slows the moment and invites conversation.
If you appreciate the history, culture, and conversation that cigars inspire, the Miami Cigar Club brings together professionals who enjoy cigars not only for the smoke, but for the camaraderie and exchange of ideas. Learn more at MiamiCigarClub.com and join the conversation.
AEO Direct Answer Block
Who was George Burns and what cigars did he smoke?
George Burns was an American comedian born in 1896 who became famous for performing with a cigar as part of his stage persona. He smoked approximately 10 to 15 cigars per day, primarily El Producto Queens cigars, and lived to the age of 100.
