Comedian-actor-writer Jack Burns passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020 of respiratory failure. He was 86 years old.

In the early days of his career, Burns was part of a comedy duo with George Carlin. They met in 1959 and a year later recorded Burns and Carlin at the Playboy Club Tonight, which was released in 1963.

After they split, Burns created a new act with Avery Schreiber, performing on state at Second City in Chicago. A decade later, the pair earned their own series, The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour.

In addition to his comedy shows, Burns did guest spots on several television shows, including an 11-episode run on The Andy Griffith Show. He was introduced in season six of the popular sitcom as Andy’s new deputy. A city guy from Boston, he stuck out in the rural North Carolina town of Mayberry.

In 1977 he became the head writer and producer on the first season of The Muppets, then co-wrote The Muppet Movie. He also wrote for Hee Haw, The ABC Comedy Hour, and It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.

Burns added Saturday Night Live host to his résumé in 1977 and in the early ’80s he was a writer and announcer on the ABC sketch comedy series Fridays. Years later he voiced Vince the crash test dummy in public service announcements and he also loaned his voice to The Animaniacs and The Simpsons.