Comic actor Harvey Korman dies at 81

[Wretched Excess]

Comic actor Harvey Korman dies at 81

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Harvey Korman, the tall, versatile comedian who won four Emmys for his outrageously funny contributions to "The Carol Burnett Show" and played a conniving politician to hilarious effect in "Blazing Saddles," died Thursday. He was 81.

 Korman died at UCLA Medical Center after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago, his family said. He had undergone several major operations.

"He was a brilliant comedian and a brilliant father," daughter Kate Korman said. "He had a very good sense of humor in real life. "

A natural second banana, Korman gained attention on "The Danny Kaye Show," appearing in skits with the star. He joined the show in its second season in 1964 and continued until it was canceled in 1967. That same year he became a cast member in the first season of "The Carol Burnett Show."

His most memorable film role was as the outlandish Hedley Lamarr (who was endlessly exasperated when people called him Hedy) in Mel Brooks' 1974 Western satire, "Blazing Saddles."

"A world without Harvey Korman -- it's a more serious world," Brooks said Thursday. "It was very dangerous for me to work with him because if our eyes met we'd crash to the floor in comic ecstasy. It was comedy heaven to make Harvey Korman laugh."

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RIP, Harvey Korman. 

[Dixie*Darling]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

[Wretched Excess]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

I think he would want us to be laughing right now.  one of my fave harvey korman moments:



"now go do, that voodoo, that you do, sooooo weeeeellllll"

[Dixie*Darling]

Too funny!
Thanks WE! 

[Chris_]

Some of the best skits on the Carol Burnett Show were the ones where Tim Conway could get him to laugh during a "serious" moment.  The networks really need to bring back shows like that.

RIP Harvey.

[Flame]

RIP Mr Korman. 

 

[Lord Undies]

Classy performers like those who made the cast of the Burnett show don't exist anymore.  It would be impossible to dulpicate it today.  BTW, Carol Burnett turned 75 last month. 

Harvey Korman was a unique comic.  You couldn't help but like him, even when he was irritating.  He will always be in a special place in my mind just because he was Ed Higgins. 

[Airwolf]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km7WD8wkb1c[/youtube]

Not as good as an old #6 but its funny.

RIP Harvey Korman

[Chris_]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

[Lord Undies]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

[Chris_]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

OK, it was pseudo live.  And hilarious.

[Lord Undies]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

OK, it was pseudo live.  And hilarious.

Well, you youngins seem to believe video tape was invented sometimes around the beginning of "Cheers" and that back in the late 1960s/early 70s we all had to sit around turning a crank in order to watch TV.

 

[Chris_]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

OK, it was pseudo live.  And hilarious.

Well, you youngins seem to believe video tape was invented sometimes around the beginning of "Cheers" and that back in the late 1960s/early 70s we all had to sit around turning a crank in order to watch TV.

 :tongue:

From what you have posted you only have a few years on me.  I remember watching true live TV, so forgive me if I can't remember which were transitional.

[Lord Undies]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

OK, it was pseudo live.  And hilarious.

Well, you youngins seem to believe video tape was invented sometimes around the beginning of "Cheers" and that back in the late 1960s/early 70s we all had to sit around turning a crank in order to watch TV.

 

From what you have posted you only have a few years on me.  I remember watching true live TV, so forgive me if I can't remember which were transitional.

Maybe you are older than me.  I only remember Ed Sullivan being live.  Nonetheless, you are forgiven.

[Wretched Excess]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

I can understand the confusion.  she gave a live monologue type of thing at the end of each show.  or it was at least in front of an audience.  that's when she tugged at her ear, her trademark sign-off.

remember?  I was in grade school, but I remember that.

[jinxmchue]

Lesser known Korman:

[youtube=425,350]uVbCS8vg8m0[/youtube]

[Lord Undies]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

I can understand the confusion.  she gave a live monologue type of thing at the end of each show.  or it was at least in front of an audience.  that's when she tugged at her ear, her trademark sign-off.

remember?  I was in grade school, but I remember that.

Carol would ask the lights to be turned up after her intro so she could take (edited) questions from the audience.  After a couple of questions and the inevitable laughter, Carol would announce her quest stars -"We have a wonderful show for you tonight, we have the fabulous Joanne Worley and my dear dear friend Jim Nabors..." - and then it would go to commercial.  The ear tug came at the end of the show after Carol said her goodnights.

[Chris_]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

OK, it was pseudo live.  And hilarious.

Well, you youngins seem to believe video tape was invented sometimes around the beginning of "Cheers" and that back in the late 1960s/early 70s we all had to sit around turning a crank in order to watch TV.

 :tongue:

From what you have posted you only have a few years on me.  I remember watching true live TV, so forgive me if I can't remember which were transitional.

Maybe you are older than me.  I only remember Ed Sullivan being live.  Nonetheless, you are forgiven.

No, I was at the cusp.  You have, I think, about 6 or 7 years on me.

Or a few more.

Or maybe it is your kids who have a few years on me. 

I forget ;)

[jtyangel]

Ilet this sit for a bit just mulling over how sad this is. I too was a child when Carol Burnett had her show, but I remember it well like WE does. I said years now when Fred Rogers passed away, it is like watching your childhood slip away before your eyes. Sad... RIP

[Lord Undies]

I have fond memories of him,Tim Conway and the rest on The Carrol Burnett show.  I wish shows like this were still made rather than the garbage hollyweird cranks out now.

RIP Mr. Korman.

You know, Conway could absolutely KILL (no pun intended) Korman -- in the good old days, they would broadcast live so when Korman lost it during a sketch, that is what happened.  And, of course, those were the funniest moments in the show.  The "Jacques Cousteau" and "Snork" episodes were forever classics.

The Burnett show was never broadcast live.  They did try to give it a live stage feeling.  The producers and editors left a lot of the improv in for effect (if it was good).  I found it distracting and annoying. 

OK, it was pseudo live.  And hilarious.

Well, you youngins seem to believe video tape was invented sometimes around the beginning of "Cheers" and that back in the late 1960s/early 70s we all had to sit around turning a crank in order to watch TV.

 

From what you have posted you only have a few years on me.  I remember watching true live TV, so forgive me if I can't remember which were transitional.

Maybe you are older than me.  I only remember Ed Sullivan being live.  Nonetheless, you are forgiven.

No, I was at the cusp.  You have, I think, about 6 or 7 years on me.

Or a few more.

Or maybe it is your kids who have a few years on me. 

I forget

I will be 54 in a couple of weeks.  Time flies when you're having fun.  Think of all the lucky people with lives that suck. 

[THA HOUSTON PIMP IS IN DA HOUZ!]

"Deee-Mo-Nay"

"Oh piss boy!"

"Wait for the shake!"


History of the World Part I is one of my alltime favorite movies.

He was also hilarious in a few "The Munsters" episodes.

RIP Harvey, you will be missed.