In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Today's News: Our Take
Emmy-winning Comedian Harvey Korman Dead at 81
Harvey Korman by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Multiple Emmy-winner Harvey Korman, known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show and Blazing Saddles, died on Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 81.
In a statement, Korman's family said his death was related to complications from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm that occurred four months ago.
Korman got his start on TV in 1964 with The Danny Kaye Show. When it was canceled three years later, he joined Carol Burnett. Korman went on to have his own, eponymous series — which did not last long — and eventually began working in film, too. Perhaps his most famous role was in Mel Brooks' 1974 Western satire, Blazing Saddles, but Korman also appeared in numerous other movies, including Brooks' High Anxiety and History of the World Part I, as well as two Pink Panther movies and Gypsy, among others.
On TV, Korman's guest appearances spanned a range of shows, such as Perry Mason, Roseanne , The Muppet Show and The Love Boat.
In a 2005 interview, says the AP, Korman commented on his career, and mused why his own show didn't succeed. "It takes a certain type of person to be a television star," he said. "I didn't have whatever that is. I come across as kind of snobbish and maybe a little too bright.... Give me something bizarre to play or put me in a dress and I'm fine."
Korman is survived by his wife and four children. — Anna Dimond
Use our Online Video Guide to see Harvey Korman's work, appearances and more.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 29, 2008 9:35 PM
|
|
I'm saddened by the death of Mr. Korman. He was a delightful comedian who entertained us all for so many years. God bless his family and friends.
|
|
May 29, 2008 10:28 PM
|
Harvey Korman was one of the funniest human beings who ever lived.
What a great team he and Tim Conway were.
Over the years, some have rolled their eyes at the way that the two would crack each other up, but it was genuine. And it was great television.
The Mama skits, Went with the Wind, the dentist skit, the Old Folks -- unforgettable classics.
Not to mention his movies with Mel Brooks.
I'm so sad. Another television great is gone.
Now, more than ever, those original unedited Carol Burnett Shows need to be released on DVD.
|
|
May 29, 2008 10:30 PM
|
"Hey! Isn't that Hedy Lamarr!" "That's Hedley!"
"Count da money! Count da money" "de Monet. Mo-net! say it with me Mo-net!"
As good as he was with Tim Conway on Carol Burnett, I'll always remember him from his memorable roles in Mel Brooks' films.
Korman was a master comedian AND straight man. He could do both so well. A rare gift.
|
|
May 29, 2008 10:54 PM
|
I was so sad when I heard this. Him and Tim Conway were The Comedy Dream Team. Those two were magical onscreen.
Rest in peace, Mr. Korman.
|
|
May 29, 2008 10:58 PM
|
"Hey! Isn't that Hedy Lamarr!" "That's Hedley!"
"Count da money! Count da money" "de Monet. Mo-net! say it with me Mo-net!"
Those are just some of Harvey Korman's brilliant characters. My family and I are big fans of Mel Brooks' movies and Mr. Korman's role as Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles is by far one of my favorite movie characters of all time.
Mr. Korman will be missed greatly and I wish his family the best of luck as they deal with his unfortunate passing.
|
|
May 29, 2008 11:00 PM
|
|
I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Harvey Korman. I grew up watching The Carol Burnett Show, and delighting in the comedic timing of Harvey Korman and Tim Conway (and of course, Carol Burnett), One knew, when Harvey and Tim were involved in a sketch that it wouldn't be long before the "breaking each other up" would begin. Plus, to this day--I can't hear the name "Hedy Lamarr" without grinning, remembering Harvey's character "Hedley Lamarr" in Blazing Saddles. R.I.P. Harvey--you will be sorely missed.
|
|
May 29, 2008 11:01 PM
|
|
Harvey was great with Lyle Waggoner, Vickie Lawrence, and, of course, his best two partners on television, Tim Conway and Carol Burnett. Korman with Burnett and Lawrence were comedy gold on "The Family" sketches as Ed, Eunice, and Mama Thelma which is to them what "The Honeymooners" is to Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, and Audrey Meadows: Classic Dysfuntional Comedy. And Mel Brooks did Harvey a favor when he cast him as Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles. I'll always grin at the way he fondles that statue! Yeah, put unedited versions of "The Carol Burnett Show" on DVD and maybe add some "Tim Conway Shows" that he appeared in for good measure.
|
|
May 29, 2008 11:18 PM
|
|
I was so sad to hear of his passing. Growing up in my house meant watching the Carol Burnett show every Saturday night. My dad would crack up when Tim Conway could get Harvey to start laughing. He brought many specials memories to me and my family. He will be sorely missed. RIP Mr. Korman.
|
|
May 29, 2008 11:34 PM
|
|
How sad this is also. He made me laugh, especially when he was with Tim Conway, until I cried many times. Be at peace, Harvey.
|
|
May 29, 2008 11:58 PM
|
|
I'm so sorry to read this. Harvey was one of the comedy greats, and watching him work with Tim Conway, as they struggled to maintain their composure, was sublime. I would love to see unedited Carol Burnett Show episodes; when TV Land aired the chopped-up versions years ago, it was hard to sit through them. RIP, Harvey.
|
|
May 30, 2008 12:11 AM
|
RIP, Mr. Korman. You will be missed.
I was born after The Carol Burnett show aired so I never saw much of it outside of (very funny) clip shows. But I was a fan of his from his work in Mel Brooks High Anxiety, History of the World, and Blazing Saddles. He's was extremely funny and a good guy as well.
|
|
May 30, 2008 12:14 AM
|
Thankfully, his brilliance will live forever in The Carol Burnett Show.
Let us not forget his other place in immortality, as The Great Gazoo on The Flintstones. As I silently said to myself tonight, "Rest in peace, Mr. Korman", I swear I heard Gazoo say, "so long, dum dum!"
I still have vivid memories of his (and Buddy Hackett's) poignant performances in the TV-movie Bud And Lou about the real lives of Abbott and Costello.
The best way to honor him is to find those all-too-few Carol Burnett Show DVD releases and laugh heartily. He would LOVE that!
"I'm so glad we had this time together..."
|
|
May 30, 2008 12:27 AM
|
I was so sorry to read of Harvey Korman's passing. I loved him on the Carol Burnette Show and in Mel Brooks' movies, especially Blazing Saddles.
RIP, Harvey. You left a great legacy that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
|
|
May 30, 2008 3:06 AM
|
|
Someone who never failed to make me laugh. Never. Harvey Korman's loss is especially moving coming from so close behind the passing of Richard Widmark, someone who never failed to keep me interested and who always reminded me of the true glory of The Movies.
|
|
May 30, 2008 3:17 AM
|
|
|
