Harvey Korman | |
---|---|
Korman in 1969
|
|
Birth name | Harvey Herschel Korman |
Born |
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
February 15, 1927
Died | May 29, 2008 UCLA Medical Center Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
(aged 81)
Resting place | Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Santa Monica, California |
Medium | Film, television |
Years active | 1950–2007 |
Genres | Sketch comedy |
Spouse | Donna Ehlert (1960–1977; divorced; two children) Deborah Fritz Korman (1982–2008; his death; two children) |
Harvey Herschel Korman (February 15, 1927 – May 29, 2008) was an American comedic actor who performed in television and film productions and was also a voice artist. His big break was being a featured performer on CBS' The Danny Kaye Show, but he is best remembered for his performances on the sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show and in several films by Mel Brooks.
Korman, who was of Russian Jewish descent, was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Ellen (née Blecher) and Cyril Raymond Korman, a salesman. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. After being discharged, he studied at the Goodman School of Drama. He was a member of the Peninsula Players summer theater program during the 1950, 1957, and 1958 seasons.
Korman's first television role was as a head waiter in The Donna Reed Show episode, "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions". He appeared as a comically exasperated public relations man in a January 1961 episode of the CBS drama Route 66. He was seen on numerous television programs after that, including the role of Blake in the 1964 episode "Who Chopped Down the Cherry Tree?" on the NBC medical drama The Eleventh Hour and a bartender in the 1962 Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Unsuitable Uncle." He frequently appeared as a supporting player on The Danny Kaye Show from 1963 through 1967. He was cast three times, including the role of Dr. Allison in "Who Needs Glasses?" (1962), on ABC's The Donna Reed Show. He also guest-starred on Dennis the Menace and on the NBC modern western series, Empire.