Harvey Korman was a beloved actor and comedian who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s.
One of his most notable roles was as a regular cast member of "The Carol Burnett Show," where
he showcased his incredible comedic timing and improvisational skills.
However, Harvey didn’t have as positive an experience on the beloved comedy program
as many might assume!
Join Facts Verse as Harvey Korman bashes his experience on The Carol Burnett Show.
Early Life Harvey Herschel Korman was born on February
15, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois.
He grew up in a Jewish family and attended Hebrew school as a child.
Korman showed an early talent for comedy and theater and began performing in local productions
while still in high school.
He had a passion for performing from a young age and pursued it with fervor, honing his
skills in improvisational comedy and sketch writing.
After graduating, Korman enrolled in the Goodman Theatre School in Chicago and later joined
a touring theater troupe.
He eventually made his way to New York City, where he began performing on Broadway and
landed a role in the 1958 musical "Bells Are Ringing."
It wouldn’t be too long after this that Harvey would receive his big break by way
of a popular comedy program.
Korman got his start in the entertainment industry as a performer in musical revues
and off-Broadway shows.
He eventually landed a role on "The Danny Kaye Show," which is what led directly to
his big break.
Korman's big break came in 1967 when he was cast as a regular performer on "The Carol
Burnett Show."
The sketch comedy show was a huge success and ran for 11 seasons, with Korman becoming
one of its most beloved cast members.
His chemistry with co-star Carol Burnett was particularly notable, as the two often engaged
in hilariously unpredictable ad-libs and banter.
On "The Carol Burnett Show," Korman played a variety of characters and worked alongside
other comedy legends like Burnett, Tim Conway, and Vicki Lawrence.
However, despite his success on the show, Korman also faced challenges, as he was often
the target of Burnett's legendary pranks and practical jokes.
As a result of this, Harvey’s time on the beloved program wasn’t as great as it appeared
to be.
How Harvey Got Fired The worst thing that happened to Harvey Korman
during the production of “The Carol Burnett Show” was when he got fired.
Burnett once fired Korman from the show after he broke character during a sketch and made
her laugh uncontrollably.
However, Korman was eventually rehired in a diminished capacity and went on to become
one of the show's most beloved cast members.
Not only that, but he also good his own spin-off program, though that program wasn’t nearly
as successful as The Carol Burnett Show.
The incident involving Harvey’s firing occurred as a result of a skit featuring the performer
as a dentist trying to extract a tooth from Burnett's character.
In the middle of the scene, Korman accidentally knocked out one of Burnett's false teeth,
causing her to double over in laughter.
The moment became an instant classic and is still remembered by fans today.
Despite the positive reception of the event, it still made Carol mad enough that she didn’t
want Harvey on her show for the foreseeable future.
The goof that got Harvey Korman fired wasn’t the actor’s only memorable moment on The
Carol Burnett Show.
There are a variety of other sketches that the actor performed on the series that have
stood the test of time.
One is "The Oldest Man," in which Harvey played a senile and forgetful old-timer who always
managed to get into some kind of mishap.
In one particularly memorable moment, he gets locked inside a bank vault and spends hours
trying to escape using a variety of far-fetched methods, including talking to the money and
trying to drill his way out with a comically tiny drill.
Another of Harvey’s most memorable skits on the show was "The Family".
This skit featured Korman as part of a dysfunctional family, with many of his funniest moments
coming from improvising silly catchphrases and bizarre mannerisms as he interacted with
his fellow cast members.
One standout moment saw him playing the father, trying desperately to keep his family under
control while dealing with their every absurd demand.
"The Politician" was yet another of Harvey’s most memorable sketches on “The Carol Burnett
Show”.
In the skit, Korman played a high-strung politician trying to give a speech but constantly hampered
by technical difficulties.
As the microphone screeched and fell apart around him, Korman's exasperated reactions
stole the show, with him flailing and shouting as though trying to escape the malfunctioning
equipment.
Harvey Korman's comedic style was distinguished by his impeccable timing, physical comedy,
and ability to play a wide range of characters.
He was known for his ability to improvise and ad-lib, which allowed him to create hilarious
moments on the spot.
He also had a talent for playing exasperated characters who were constantly struggling
to keep up with the chaos around them, which added an extra layer of humor to his performances.
Compared to other actors of his time, Korman's style was unique in its subtle, understated
approach to comedy, which relied more on clever wordplay and facial expressions than broad
physical gags.
Harvey’s Unsuccessful Spinoff After “The Carol Burnett Show” came to
an end, Harvey Korman had a spin-off show called "The Harvey Korman Show”.
"The Harvey Korman Show" was a sitcom that aired on ABC in 1977.
The show centered on Korman's character, with the actor playing a struggling writer trying
to balance his home life with his career aspirations.
Despite Harvey’s strong holdover base of fans, the show was not well-received by viewers
or critics.
Many criticized the writing and production value of the show, which ultimately led to
its cancellation after just six episodes.
Some also speculated that Korman's departure from "The Carol Burnett Show" may have contributed
to the lack of success of his spin-off.
Regardless of the spin-off’s failure, Korman's legacy as a comedic actor remains strong,
and he is still remembered and admired for his talent and contributions to the industry.
A bad spin-off series wasn’t the only thing that Harvey Korman gained from his time on
“The Carol Burnett Show”.
He also gained a lifelong friend!
Harvey Korman and Tim Conway had a close relationship that was based on their natural chemistry
and comedic talents.
After they first met on the set of "The Carol Burnett Show", they went on to become good
friends and frequent collaborators.
According to Korman himself, he and Conway had a special connection that made their comedic
performances together truly memorable.
They were able to play off each other's strengths and weaknesses in a way that always seemed
to leave audiences in stitches.
In fact, many of the most iconic skits and sketches from "The Carol Burnett Show" featured
Korman and Conway working together in hilarious and unexpected ways.
Even after the show ended, Korman and Conway remained close friends and continued to make
appearances together on various TV shows and specials.
This enduring friendship was a testament to the deep respect and admiration that Korman
and Conway had for each other's talent and sense of humor.
There’s a charming anecdote from the production of “The Carol Burnett Show” that sheds
some light on the camaraderie between Harvey and Tim.
Harvey Korman was known for his quick wit and hilarious on-set antics.
During a sketch, Conway was dressed in a giant elephant costume and Korman was supposed to
deliver a serious monologue.
However, Conway kept ad-libbing and improvising new jokes, causing Korman to break character
and burst out laughing.
What Else Did Harvey Do?
Beyond his success on "The Carol Burnett Show," Korman was also a prolific performer in other
mediums.
He appeared in numerous movies, including several directed by Mel Brooks, such as "Blazing
Saddles" and "High Anxiety."
Another funny anecdote involves Korman's infamous temper on the set of one of those comedy classics.
During the filming of "Blazing Saddles", Korman became so frustrated with his co-star Cleavon
Little's constant improvisation that he stormed off set and threatened to quit the movie.
Director Mel Brooks had to coax him back onto set and convince him to finish the scene.
Despite these occasional outbursts, Korman was generally loved by his colleagues for
his sense of humor and his ability to make even the toughest days on set a little bit
brighter.
In addition to his numerous live-action roles, he also lent his voice to several animated
films, including "The Flintstones" and "Jetsons: The Movie."
On “The Flintstones”, he provided the voice of The Great Gazoo.
Finally, the man was also the narrator for several episodes of "Scooby-Doo, Where Are
You!"
There was also another spinoff of “The Carol Burnett Show” that featured Harvey Korman
and ended up having more success than “The Harvey Kroman Show”.
The show was named "Mama's Family".
It came on the air in 1983, which was several years after “The Carol Burnett Show” had
ended.
One standout moment from the show saw Korman dressing up in drag as the family matriarch,
complete with a hilariously over-the-top wig and costume.
His deadpan delivery and physical comedy added an extra layer of humor to an already ridiculous
situation.
Overall, Harvey Korman was a true comedic genius who brought endless joy and laughter
to audiences for many years.
Whether he was playing a bumbling dentist, a forgetful old man, or a harried politician,
Korman always managed to find the funny in even the most unexpected situations.
Throughout his career, Korman received numerous accolades for his work, including four Primetime
Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
He was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2002.
Unfortunately, after everything that he had accomplished, Korman's life was cut short
when he passed away on May 29, 2008, at the age of 81.
However, his legacy as one of the great comedians and actors of our time lives on through his
many fans, colleagues, and admirers.
His contributions to comedy and entertainment will continue to inspire and bring laughter
to audiences for generations to come.
Even if he didn’t always have the best time on the series, Harvey Korman remains best
known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show”.
Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that Harvey Korman was temporarily fired
from “The Carol Burnett Show”, and that he got his own unsuccessful spin-off series
after the show came to an end?
Comment down below!