Harvey Korman

Harvey Korman
Name	Harvey Korman
Caption	Korman in 1973
Birth name	Harvey Herschel Korman
Birth date	15 February 1927
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death date	29 May 2008
Death place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, comedian
Years active	1950–2008
Spouse	Donna Ehlert (m. 1960; div. 1977), Deborah Fritz (m. 1982)

Harvey Korman was an American actor and comedian renowned for his impeccable timing and expressive range in sketch comedy. He achieved his greatest fame as a regular performer on the landmark variety series The Carol Burnett Show, where his collaborations with Carol Burnett and Tim Conway became legendary. His career also spanned numerous film roles, notably in several comedies directed by Mel Brooks, and a wide array of television appearances. Korman's work earned him multiple Emmy Awards and cemented his status as a master of character-driven humor.

Early life and education

Harvey Herschel Korman was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a family of Eastern European Jewish descent. He developed an interest in performance at a young age, inspired by comedians he heard on the radio. After serving in the United States Navy, he pursued formal training at the Goodman School of Drama, which was then part of the Art Institute of Chicago. Following his studies, he began his professional career in New York City, performing in Off-Broadway productions and working as a doorman at the famed Radio City Music Hall while seeking acting opportunities.

Career

Korman's early career consisted of guest roles on numerous television series throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including appearances on The Danny Kaye Show and The Lucy Show. He became a familiar face to audiences through recurring commercial work and dramatic parts on shows like Perry Mason. His big break came when he was hired as a regular performer on The Carol Burnett Show in 1967, a role that would define his career and showcase his exceptional talent for sketch comedy. Concurrently, he began a fruitful cinematic partnership with director Mel Brooks, appearing in classic films such as Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety.

The Carol Burnett Show

As a cornerstone of The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1977, Korman displayed a genius for character work and improvisation. He is best remembered for his chemistry with fellow cast member Tim Conway, whose ad-libs frequently broke Korman's composure, leading to famously uncontrollable laughter that became a beloved hallmark of the program. Iconic sketches featured him in roles ranging from the inept Ed McMahon-like sidekick on the recurring "The Family" sketches to various historical and societal parodies. For his work on the series, he received four Primetime Emmy Awards and widespread critical acclaim.

Film and later television work

Beyond the Burnett show, Korman starred in several successful film comedies, most notably as the villainous Hedley Lamarr in Mel Brooks's Blazing Saddles and as Professor Charles Montague in High Anxiety. He also appeared in The Apple Dumpling Gang with Tim Conway and provided voice work for animated features like The Flintstones. His later television work included a starring role in the short-lived sitcom The Harvey Korman Show, a tenure as a cast member on The Tim Conway Show, and guest spots on series such as The Love Boat and Roseanne. He also toured with Conway in a popular stage show.

Personal life and death

Korman was married twice, first to Donna Ehlert, with whom he had two children, and later to Deborah Fritz, with whom he had two more children. He lived primarily in Los Angeles and was known to be a private individual off-screen, dedicated to his family. In his later years, he underwent surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Harvey Korman died on May 29, 2008, at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles due to complications from the aneurysm. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Legacy and awards

Harvey Korman is remembered as one of the great sketch comedians of American television, whose precise characterizations and brilliant reactions left an indelible mark on the genre. His partnership with Tim Conway is considered one of the most successful comedic duos in the history of the medium. His accolades include four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on The Carol Burnett Show. In 2002, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at Hollywood Boulevard, cementing his legacy in entertainment history.

Category:American male comedians Category:American male television actors Category:1927 births Category:2008 deaths