Burns enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1952 but soon realized that he did not want to be in the military: "the first week of boot camp changed my mind."

[1][2] Burns began his comedy career in 1959 when he partnered with George Carlin; both were working for radio station KXOL in Fort Worth, Texas.

[3] After successful performances at a Fort Worth beat coffeehouse, The Cellar, Burns and Carlin headed for California in February 1960 and continued to work together for two more years.

[4] Burns teamed with Avery Schreiber, whom he met when they were both members of The Second City, to form a comedy and improv troupe based in Chicago.

He voiced the character of Ralph Kane in the short-lived syndicated primetime cartoon Wait Till Your Father Gets Home.

[citation needed] Burns teamed with Lorenzo Music to provide the voices for a pair of crash-test dummies named Vince and Larry, in a series of Department of Transportation public-service announcements that promoted the use of seat belts.