Harvey Korman lit up television screens with his vibrant comedy and impeccable timing, especially notable on the beloved "The Carol Burnett Show." Born on a chilly February day in 1927, in the bustling city of Chicago, he was the son of Ellen and Cyril Korman, two Russian Jewish immigrants. His father made a living as a salesman, while his mother took care of the household. This background set the stage for a life that would later be celebrated in Hollywood's comedy pantheon.
Early Life and Career
Korman's upbringing in Chicago paved the way for his venture into acting. He refined his craft through education, though specific details about his schooling are as varied as the characters he played. His first leap into professional acting came with a small television role, but it wasn't until 1967, with his breakout on "The Carol Burnett Show," that his comedic genius found its perfect outlet. This show turned out to be a decade-long engagement that would bring him four Emmy Awards and a spot in the heart of America's prime-time audience.
The 1974 western comedy spoof "Blazing Saddles" directed by Mel Brooks, in which he played the sly and ludicrous Hedley Lamarr, shot Korman to even greater heights of stardom. This role, alongside his other collaborations with Brooks, left an indelible mark on his career and the comedy genre. Off the screen, Korman's life was as full as the characters he played. He married Deborah Fritz in 1982 and they had two children. His personal interests, controversies, and philanthropic efforts were as diverse as his talents, making him a multi-faceted individual both on and off the stage.
Korman passed away in 2008, but left behind a legacy of laughter and an unmatched contribution to the world of entertainment. His tall frame and rich, smooth voice made him not only a memorable comedian but also a distinguished presence in any project he was part of. Harvey Korman wasn't just an actor; he was a symbol of the golden age of television comedy, whose brilliance made him an enduring icon.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Lloyd in Space (TV Series) | (voice) |
| 2001 | The Ruby Princess Runs Away (Short) | Hapgood the Dragon (voice) |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (TV Series) | Gularis (voice) |
| 2000 | The Flintstones: Bedrock Bowling | Video Game | Gazoo (voice) |
| 2000 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV Series) | Lion (voice) |
| 2000 | The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas | Colonel Slaghoople |
| 1997–1999 | Hey Arnold! (TV Series) | Don Reynolds (voice) |
| 1999 | The Wild Thornberrys (TV Series) | Earl (voice) |
| 1999 | The Brothers Flub (TV Series) | Additional Voices (voice) |
| 1999 | Baby Huey's Great Easter Adventure | Video | Professor von Klupp |
| 1998 | The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue | Video | Floyd (voice) |
| 1998 | Hercules (TV Series) | Arismap (voice) |
| 1998 | ER (TV Series) | Stan Levy |
| 1998 | Gideon | Jacob Titleman |
| 1997 | 101 Dalmatians: The Series (TV Series) | Baron Efrem von Schnickerdoodle (voice) |
| 1997 | Suddenly Susan (TV Series) | Jimmy |
| 1997 | Perversions of Science (TV Series) | The Farmer |
| 1997 | Diagnosis Murder (TV Series) | Harvey Huckaby |
| 1996 | Bruno the Kid (TV Series) | (voice) |
| 1996 | Jingle All the Way | President |
| 1996 | Ellen (TV Series) | Therapist |
| 1995 | Dracula: Dead and Loving It | Dr. Seward |
| 1995 | Dumb and Dumber (TV Series) | Manager | Man #2 | Officer Doohickey (voice) |
| 1995 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Dr. John Richmond |
| 1995 | What a Cartoon! (TV Series) | O. Ratz | Restaurant Owner (voice) |
| 1994 | Radioland Murders | Jules Cogley |
| 1994 | Garfield and Friends (TV Series) | Professor Lamar (voice) |
| 1994 | The Flintstones | Dictabird (voice) |
| 1993 | Based on an Untrue Story (TV Movie) | Dr. Meir |
| 1993 | Betrayal of the Dove | Sid |
| 1992 | The Golden Palace (TV Series) | Bill |
| 1989 | The Nutt House (TV Series) | Reginald J. Tarkington | Reginald Tarkington |
| 1988 | Crash Course (TV Movie) | Abner Fraser |
| 1987 | Munchies | Cecil Watterman | Simon Watterman |
| 1986 | Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills (TV Series) | Leo Green |
| 1986 | The Longshot | Lou |
| 1985 | Alice in Wonderland (TV Mini Series) | The White King |
| 1982–1985 | The Love Boat (TV Series) | Cabot Fairfield | Harvey Willis | Emmett Stokes |
| 1985 | George Burns Comedy Week (TV Series) | Leo |
| 1984 | Gone Are the Dayes (TV Movie) | Charlie Mitchell |
| 1983–1984 | Mama's Family (TV Series) | Alistair Quince | Ed Higgins |
| 1983 | Carpool (TV Movie) | Wendell Brooks |
| 1983 | Curse of the Pink Panther | Prof. Auguste Balls |
| 1983 | The Invisible Woman (TV Movie) | Carlisle Edwards |
| 1982 | Eunice (TV Movie) | Ed |
| 1981 | History of the World: Part I | Count de Monet |
| 1980 | First Family | Ambassador Spender |
| 1980 | Herbie Goes Bananas | Captain Blythe |
| 1980 | The Tim Conway Show (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1979 | Americathon | Monty Rushmore |
| 1978 | The Star Wars Holiday Special (TV Movie) | Krelman | Chef Gormaanda | Amorphian Instructor |
| 1978 | Bud and Lou (TV Movie) | Bud Abbott |
| 1977–1978 | The Harvey Korman Show (TV Series) | Harvey A. Kavanaugh |
| 1978 | Snavely (TV Movie) | Henry Snavely |
| 1977 | High Anxiety | Dr. Charles Montague |
| 1967–1977 | The Carol Burnett Show (TV Series) | Various Characters | Various characters |
| 1976 | The Love Boat (TV Movie) | Willard |
| 1974 | Huckleberry Finn | The King |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles | Hedley Lamarr |
| 1971 | Insight (TV Series) | Matt Slovak |
| 1971 | Suddenly Single (TV Movie) | Conrad |
| 1971 | The Carol Burnett Show: Chinderella (Music Video) | Godfather |
| 1969 | Three's a Crowd (TV Movie) | Doctor Pike |
| 1969 | The April Fools | Matt Benson |
| 1968 | The Wild Wild West (TV Series) | Baron Hinterstoisser |
| 1968 | Don't Just Stand There | Merriman Dudley |
| 1967 | Three Bites of the Apple | Harvey Tomlinson |
| 1965–1966 | The Danny Kaye Show (TV Series) | Giovanni's Son | Igor | The General |
| 1966 | F Troop (TV Series) | Col. Heindreich von Zeppel |
| 1966 | The Hero (TV Series) | Ralph Rayburn |
| 1966 | The Man Called Flintstone | Chief Boulder | Street Salesman (voice) |
| 1966 | The Last of the Secret Agents? | German Colonel |
| 1966 | Alice in Wonderland or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This? (TV Movie) | The Mad Hatter (voice) |
| 1964–1966 | The Flintstones (TV Series) | The Great Gazoo | Rockarabian Men | Stonefinger (voice) ... |
| 1964–1966 | The Munsters (TV Series) | Prof. Fagenspahen | Dr. Leinbach | Lennie Bates |
| 1966 | Lord Love a Duck | Weldon Emmett |
| 1965 | The John Forsythe Show (TV Series) | H. H. Hopper |
| 1965 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Brownie |
| 1965 | Gidget (TV Series) | Joe Hanley |
| 1964–1965 | The Lucy Show (TV Series) | Major Grayson | Mr. Phillips | Mr. Slater |
| 1964–1965 | The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) | 2nd Salesman | 1st Sergeant | Director |
| 1964 | Hazel (TV Series) | Max Denton |
| 1964 | The Eleventh Hour (TV Series) | Blake |
| 1963 | Arrest and Trial (TV Series) | Prof. Belden |
| 1963 | Glynis (TV Series) | Ken Bradford |
| 1963 | Sam Benedict (TV Series) | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1961–1963 | Dennis the Menace (TV Series) | Mr. Griffin | Bowers |
| 1961–1963 | Route 66 (TV Series) | Mr. Mills | Len Statler |
| 1963 | Saints and Sinners (TV Series) | Jerry Grant |
| 1962 | Son of Flubber | Husband in Commercial (uncredited) |
| 1962 | Empire (TV Series) | Bunce |
| 1962 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | George Coleman - Bartender |
| 1960–1962 | The Donna Reed Show (TV Series) | Carter Melville | Dr. Allison | Headwaiter |
| 1962 | I'm Dickens, He's Fenster (TV Series) | Mr. Rembar |
| 1962 | Gypsy | Phil (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Untouchables (TV Series) | Resident |
| 1961–1962 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Dr. B.R. Liebman |
| 1962 | Surfside 6 (TV Series) | Prosecutor |
| 1962 | The Detectives (TV Series) | Gibson Holly |
| 1961 | The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) | Artie |
| 1961 | Hennesey (TV Series) | Dr. Don Spright |
| 1961 | Adventures in Paradise (TV Series) | Bromby |
| 1961 | Living Venus | Ken Carter |
| 1959 | Carving Magic (Short) | Al (uncredited) |