Bob Burns (humorist)

For other people named Bob Burns, see Bob Burns (disambiguation).

Bob Burns
Gladys George and Bob Burns in I'm from Missouri, 1939
Born
Robin Burn

(1890-08-02)August 2, 1890
Greenwood, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedFebruary 2, 1956(1956-02-02) (aged 65)
Encino, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film, radio, actor, comedian
Years active1930-1945
Spouses
Elizabeth Fisher
​
​
(m. 1921; died 1936)​
Harriet M. Foster
​
(m. 1939)​
[1]
Children4
Musical career
InstrumentBazooka
Bob Burns sitting at his desk holding his bazooka

Robin "Bob" Burns (August 2, 1890 – February 2, 1956) was an American musical comedian, who appeared on radio and in movies from 1930 to 1947.

Burns played a novelty musical instrument of his own invention, which he called a "bazooka". During World War II, the US Army's handheld anti-tank rocket launcher was nicknamed "bazooka" after Burns's instrument, and the term remains current into the 21st century as generic name for some shoulder-fired rocked launchers.

  1. ^ Elrod, Denny; Staff of the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture (September 12, 2018). "Bob Burns (1890–1956)". encyclopediaofarkansas.net.