"Don't get saucy with me, Bernaise!"
Harvey Korman, who dazzled comedy fans for decades with his dead-on straight man roles, passed away Thursday in Los Angeles at age 81.
According to the Associated Press, Korman had been suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm several months ago.
Though probably best known for his work on the "Carol Burnett Show" in the 70s and his role as "Hedley Lamarr" in 1974's "Blazing Saddles," Korman had a score of roles on television and film in the 80s, including parts in "Herbie Goes Bananas," "Trail of the Pink Panther," "Mama's Family" and "The Love Boat."
But to the hardcore movie 80s fans, he'll always be the "Count de Monet" in Mel Brooks' "History of the World Part 1." Click here to see his classic scene with Andréas Voutsinas.
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i too remember watching the carol burnett show reruns on tbs years ago. the comedy team of conway and korman was brilliant. the funniest part of their brilliance was watching korman trying his hardest not to crack up. his roles in blazing saddles and history of the world part 1 were also brilliant.
Posted by: CHAD | May 30, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The Great Gazoo rocks, dum-dums. He's even part of the 'Stones vitamin posse, which is cool.
(BTW, The Great Gazoos would be a great band name.)
A treat! http://youtube.com/watch?v=zoSiKpqvD9Q
Posted by: jane | May 30, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Not only was he a comic genius, he provided the voice for one of my favorite cartoon characters ever, the Great Gazoo.
Between his and Pollack's passings, no way will I have a dry eye during the Oscar's "In Memorium" montage.
Posted by: Tonianne | May 30, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I remember watching the last episode of Carol Burnett and after it was over having this deep sense of loss and almost crying realizing I would never see that show again. I was only a child but it really effected me. I couldn't wait to see the interaction of Korman and Conway and see how long it would take for Harvey to start laughing at him. He will be missed.
Posted by: Tom | May 30, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Its funny. I was going through old papers at my parent's house the other day looking for my birth certificate (In case I ever harbor any thoughts of leaving the country) and came across a bunch of old writings from my grade school days in the early 70's. One of which professed my love for Carol Burnett, which i think was probably from 2nd or 3rd grade. That was a highlight to my limited TV viewing back then. I had 6 brothers and sisters so we often fought over what to watch...not Carol Burnett though, that was something we all could agree on. harvey Corman by himself was a comic genius, but you put him together with Tim Conway and Carol, and the rest of that cast, and you really can't get any better. A great introduction to character comedy.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | May 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Mr. Korman was a comic gem. The Carol Burnett Show was one of the funniest shows to ever hit the TV screen, and Harvey Korman was a big part of the reason. His work with Mel Brooks was great also. He will be missed.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 30, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Jeff, I had a similar experience in high school with a book of classic SNL sketches and a stoner debate class instructor.
While it made sense for me to take the Jane Curtin parts ("you ignorant s*lut"), my teacher would invaribly steer me to Gilda's roles. Rosanne Rosannadanna in particular. All about delivery and more importantly, timing.
Posted by: jane | May 30, 2008 at 09:40 AM
When I was in junior high school, our drama teacher had a script book of Carol Burnett sketches that we loved to perform.
As much as I always wanted to play the swarmy "Lyle Waggoner" roles, or the scene-stealing "Tim Conway" parts, I seemed to always end up with the anchoring "Harvey" roles.
It wasn't until years later that I realized how valuable those parts were to my comedic development. Maximum impact with minimum effort.
Pure. Unadulterated. Genius.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | May 30, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I think daily of Blazing Saddles' Hedley Lamarr passing out paddleball toys to his staff in lieu of pay. In my business these days, nearly 35 years later, life is practically imitating art.
RIP Harvey Korman
Posted by: Eric62 | May 30, 2008 at 08:47 AM
I have this to say to Jimmy Fallon: THAT is how you laugh at a colleague on camera, ya doof.
I loved the chemistry between Conway and Corman. Jane's assessment is spot on. Comic Genius.
Posted by: Marissa | May 30, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Comic. Genius. Period.
While I vaguely recall watching The Carol Burnett Show in its original run, I more vividly remember watching the show in syndicated reruns -- so Harvey was actually a part of the '80s for me.
Classic clip with him and Tim Conway:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=k4UG6op_0Ds
Posted by: jane | May 30, 2008 at 08:18 AM