Harvey Korman had one of the best sneers in the business. The comic actor, who died yesterday at 81, fashioned an entire performance out of that sneer, his delightfully hissable villain Hedy Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles. That was probably the role he’ll be remembered for most (here’s a clip of it, with some brief NSFW language), though he did similarly hilarious, apoplectic work in other Brooks movies. But his richest legacy is surely the 10 years he spent on The Carol Burnett Show, where Korman, Burnett, Tim Conway, and Vicki Lawrence created sparkling sketch comedy. Korman specialized in prissy, vain, imperious authority figures (for whom that sneer came in handy, as did his excellent slow burn), but he had plenty of other colors in his palette as well. He and Conway shared a special chemistry (they spent much of the last decade or so touring in a live show together), with Korman often toning down his broad antics to play Conway’s second banana. (Watch his peerless straight-man work in this sketch with Conway, in which Korman gets laughs by doing almost nothing.) And he could do rough-hewn and loud-mouthed, too, as in his spoof of Robert Shaw’s salty shark hunter in this uproarious Jaws parody.
I was sad, of course, to hear of Korman’s passing, but there are worse ways to spend a morning than watching YouTube clips of Korman’s work and laughing out loud.
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I was so sad to see this on the news this morning. He was one of the greats. There’s almost nothing better than Korman and Conway trying to crack each other up in the middle of a skit. Like Mel Brooks said–a world without Harvey Korman is a much more serious place.
I have fond memories of watching The Carol Burnett Show with my family growing up, and I always loved seeing them crack each other up. They certainly don’t make them like that anymore. What a great legacy to have brought many people so much joy. RIP.
I was born in ‘72, and I fondly remember our entire family watching Carol Burnett. I distinctly remember Korman’s Snow White lying in the forest while Tim Conway attempted to wake him up, and Korman was cracking up the entire time.
Thank you, Mr. Korman, for sharing your gift of comedy with the world.
I am glad that you brought up the fact that Korman and Conway always found some way to make each other laugh during sketches. I think that was clearly the difference between Harvey Korman and Jimmy Fallon. Harvey made the laugh aloud look as if it was part of the sketch. That’s real acting.
It’s strange. I am convinced that when Seth McFarlane made up the voice of Stewie, he borrowed Korman’s Great Gazoo voice. It sound’s very similar.
I too had many a family night with Carol Burnett Show growing up and the dentist sketch has always been my favorite. Thank for sharing it. I also loved Harvey Corman in High Anxiety – I’m smiling now thinking about it. RIP
My favorite Harvey Korman memory is from a mid-1960s episode of “F Troop,” in which he guest starred as Col. Von Zeppel, an insufferable Prussian balloon expert.
Von Zeppel winds up flying over the territory of the Hekawi Indians, which prompted the unforgettable line from Chief Wild Eagle (Frank DeKova): “It…is…balloon!” Of course, the Hekawis shot him down with arrows.
What can I say? It was the 60s. You really had to be there to appreciate it!
Harvey Korman was like that friend of your dad’s who always made you laugh. I hope his family takes comfort in knowing Harvey provided a lot of happy memories for many, many people.
man , you know it’s gonna come someday but you hate it all the same. talent like his and conway’s is VERY rare these days. i wonder who in the comedic world today could equal them and by the standards in which they had to work by which i mean keep it clean. i doubt any really.
I remember sitting around watching reruns of The Carol Burnett Show with my dad and laughing until my sides hurt. Harvey Korman was a brilliant comedian and he will be sorely missed.
He was talented, to be sure, but he’s among the last of a comedy breed. When he was good, he was snarky, salacious, and saucy. But when he was bad, he was the “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
‘When he was good, he was snarky, salacious, and saucy.’
“Don’t get saucy with me, Bernaise” – History of the World. Still made me double over with laughter. RIP, you great man.
I loved Lucy AND Harvey. They were my favorite comedic performers.
Pray for the strength to be given to Tim Conway. The laughter must go on.
Harvey will be missed.
Harvey, I miss your ability to make me laugh. Where will we find another talent like yours? Why am I asking you?
Good bye and thank you.
I was hoping this day would never come. I actually have prayed thru these years that him & Tim would keep on going strong with their health. He is one along with Tim of celebrities that I never want to see leave us. Unfortunately, The Lord wanted to take Harvey now. I am very glad I was able to see him & Tim’s traveling show twice in the past 6 years. Harvey even talked about how it was to get old, little did he know a fan in the audience was hoping he would keep healthy and onward. When the news was on of his passing, I couldnt even laugh at the scenes they showed of his comedic roles, I actually cried for I am soo sad. The knowing he is still alive while watching him is no longer, it will be very hard to get used to. I hope I can laugh again when I watch reruns of his stuff, it is really hard to digest this. May his family and his close friends, namely Carol, Tim, Vicky, & Lyle be able to get through this easily. I sent this up to The Lord to tell Harvey: he is greatly missed.
The Carol Burnett was a family favorite growing up – there will never be another troop of 4 wonderfully artistic people. It was so much fun every week to see if Harvey Korman could keep from laughing – My favorite one was him playing a Rhett Butler to Carol Burnet’s Scarlett O’Hare. He made us laugh and for a while made us remember what feeling good was like. Keep those Angels rolling around laughing up there Harvey!
when i read on the internet that harvey korman of the carol burnett show had died, i was shocked. you were a terrific actor and also a comedian harvey. there will not be another harvey korman. you were the only and one harvey korman. my thoughts , prayers and condolences goes out your family and your carol burnett show castmates. you were just great and may you rest in peace harvey. thanks for the all of the memories you gave us. we will also remember you as eunice’s husband ed in mama’s family tv show, and also in blazing saddles movie.may god bless you harvey, and r.i.p. from, doug morris
My favorite Harvey Korman moments are in the classic Mel Brooks’ “High Anxiety”. He was always a treat to watch. How wonderful it is that his performances are availabe to continue to enjoy and share with others. Good thoughts and prayers go out to others who loved him.
I loved the character he played on the Carol Burnett show when they did the Momma’s family sketches.
Blazing Saddles, in my opinion, is maybe the funniest movie ever made. The kind of comedy that Hollywood doesn’t have the guts to make anymore. Harvey Korman was great in it, as was the entire cast. If you haven’t seen it, you absolutely must! Rest in Peace Mr.Korman.
I remember watching the carol Burnett back in the 70’s and laughing so hard at Tim and Harvey. The old guy (being the fireman) which was played by Tim of course and victim (played by Harvey) or The Denist sketch which still to this day makes me laugh. Thanks for all the laughter Harvey you will be missed greatly
I remember Harvey Corman and Tim Conway used to make make me laugh so hard that it would make my stomach hurt.He was a real funny man.I wish that they would have some reruns of the show.
I GREW UP WATCHING THE ANTICS OF FUNNY MEN ON SHOWS LIKE CAROL BURNETT, THE NUMEROUS ROASTS..AND I AM REALLY SADDENED BY HARVEY’S PASSING–BUT WE CAN ALWAYS CHERISH HIS MEMORIES ON FILM–THANKS TO HARVEY, AND ALL THOSE LIKE HIM, THAT MADE US LAUGH AT THE HARD KNOCKS, AND BROUGHT FORBIDDEN SORE SUBJECTS OUT TO THE HEALING LIGHT OF LAUGHTER–THANKS HARVEY!
Hedley Lamarr: “My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.”
Taggart: “God darnit, Mr. Lamarr, you use your tongue prettier than a twenty dollar whore.”
Yes, yes he did.
Lines like that are priceless.
Rest in peace, Mr. Korman
I was never a fan of Blazing Saddles, but I loved The Carol Burnett Show, especially Harvey Korman as the husband on the Eunice sketches. Yes, he was funny, but he also gave the character a lot of depth, I always felt like there was a lot going on under the surface with this character. Too bad he didn’t get the chance to also do some more serious roles, I think he could have pulled them off.
True comedians are rare. Harvey Korman will always be one of those rare comedians. Bringing laughter to audience is a medicine for broken, sadden soul. Mr. Korman will be missed.
Beth Sprigle
the greatest loss to comedy in years,harvey made comedy the brightest it could be,i will miss him dearley
I was very young when “The Carol Burnett Show” first aired. Being only 4 at the time, the humor escaped me. But, at age 6, I realized how funny Harvey was. My parents let me stay up past my bedtime to watch the show. My favorite memories is of Harvey and Tim trying to crack each other up. When Tim did the old man, you knew it would happend. Harvey, I just want to say thank you for all of the times you have made me laugh and made my life better just by watching you. “Now go and do that voodoo that you do so well” Hedley LaMarr, Blazing Saddles
I LOVED the Carol Burnett Show and I fell in love with Harvey Korman the instant I saw him on that show. He was a very gifted comedian and actor and I was very upset when I heard that he died and he will definetely be missed. Tim Conway as the oldest man and cracking Harvey up made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt and that will be memories I will cherish the rest of my life. I have several of those sketches that I have taped off TV over the years and I always laugh still to this day when I watch them over and over again. Rest in peace, Harvey. I still and will always love you.
Shirley R.
It is extremely difficult for me as well as I’m sure for millions of other fans of the great comedic genius Harvey Korman to swallow the fact that he is actually gone. For me, this is the first great emotional blow in losing someone from the entertainment industry because I grew up watching the Carol Burnett Show and loved every minute of watching Mr. Korman perform alongside Tim Conway and Carol Burnett. Truly, he was a brilliant comedian and possessed a natural flair for the comedic arts. Not only was he an outstanding performer and remarkable entertainer with a true gift for making people laugh, but he was also an amazing human being with heart of gold! You could tell by the way he kindly treated his fans. I really wish I would have had the opportunity to meet him! What a fantastic individual! I pray that his family and friends will be comforted in this time of great sorrow and know how much he is immensely loved and missed by everyone. May God Bless You Mr. Korman! Rest in peace