Comedic Actor Harvey Korman Dies at 81

Posted on May 30, 2008

Harvey Korman, comedian and actor, died today at age 81. Korman is well-known from his hilarious antics on “The Carol Burnett Show” as well as his role in “Blazing Saddles”, where he played a dirty politician.

Korman passed away due to complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm several months ago, his family said in a statement released by the Los Angeles Medical Center.

Harvey Korman was known for his outlandish characters, and was nominated for seven Emmys for his television work and won four. He also was nominated for four Golden Globe awards, and won one.

His first big break was on the “Danny Kaye Show”, which helped land him his spot on “The Carol Burnett Show”. He and Carol Burnett were a great fit and their weekly comic sketches received rave reviews from viewers.

Korman had two children, Maria and Christopher, by his first marriage, to Donna Elhart, and two more children, Katherine and Laura, by his second marriage, to Deborah Fritz.

In his private and family life Harvey loved to clown around, his daughter Katherine said. “He was always funny in real life,” she said. “He would like to see how far he could push the limits, making people laugh. If he were here now, he would want us to be joking.”

“He fought until the very end. He didn’t want to die. He fought for months and months,” said his daughter, Kate Korman.