The Carol Burnett Show will live on forever thanks to its pioneering status and enduring influence that continues to inspire many comedians and entertainers today. Unfortunately, that can’t be said for some of its cast members as a few have already passed away.
We all remember Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner who entertained us on the show but are no longer with us. Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, and Dich Van Dyke are still alive, but they may not have much long to stay considering their current ages.
Who has Passed Away from the Carol Burnett Show?
1. Harvey Korman (February 15, 1927 – May 29, 2008)
Harvey Korman was an American actor and comedian who rose to fame in the early 1960s when he did The Danny Kaye Show. He reached the peak of his career as a main cast member of The Carol Burnett Show due to his impeccable comedic timing and very memorable portrayal of different characters.
Korman was absolutely brilliant in his comic skits, particularly with Tim Conway. As a result of these brilliant performances, he picked up four Primetime Emmy Awards. The Chicago, Illinois, native continued his huge contributions to the world of entertainment with an appearance in the film, Blazing Saddles, among other projects.
Harvey Korman died on May 29, 2008, at age 81 due to complications from a surgery related to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Korman and their four children – Maria, Christopher, Kate and Laura Korman.
2. Tim Conway (December 15, 1933 – May 14, 2019)
Tim Conway was an American actor and comedian who rose to fame with his work on The Steve Allen Show in the 1960s. His unparalleled talent for improvisational comedy and the distinctive characters he played led him to become a regular on The Carol Burnett Show. His shining moments on the show were usually alongside co-star Harvey Korman. Like Korman, Conway won multiple Emmy Awards.
Other than The Carol Burnett Show, Tim Conway appeared in other memorable films and sitcoms. He continued entertaining people until he retired in 2016. Two years later, he was diagnosed with dementia. Conway woule later pass away on May 14, 2019, at age 85, due to complications of normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Conway married twice in life. First, he was married to Mary Anne Dalton between 1961 and 1978. They had six children. The actor then married Charlene Fusco in 1984 and they were together till his death.
3. Lyle Waggoner (April 13, 1935 – March 17, 2020)
Lyle Waggoner was an American actor known for his good looks and versatility. Born on April 13, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, Waggoner gained recognition as a regular on The Carol Burnett Show. He played various roles on the comedy variety show before leaving in 1974. His later work would include playing Steve Trevor in the television series Wonder Woman.
Later in his career, Waggoner took to business. He was among the founders of Star Waggons, an outfit offering custom trailers in the entertainment industry. In 1961, he married actress Sharon Kennedy and they went on to have two sons. Lyle Waggoner had cancer and died on March 17, 2020. He was 84 years old.
Members of the Carol Burnett Show who are Still Alive
Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett is an outstanding American actress, comedian, and writer who has left an indelible mark on the entertainment scene. She was born on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, but was raised in Los Angeles by her grandmother after her parents divorced. Carol would go on to discover her passion for performing in high school in the city of Angels. She went on to attend UCLA before entering the world of theater, performing on Broadway and earning rave reviews for her talent. She also got a Tony Award nomination.
Burnet would later gain wide fame with her own self titled show that aired from 1967 to 1978. The show made her a star and earned her several awards, thus making her a comedy legend. Now 91 years old, Carol continues to accept acting roles. In 2022, she was a guest star in the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul.
Vicki Lawrence
Vicki Lawrence was the young actress who made us fall in love with the character Thelma “Mama” Harper on sketches in The Carol Burnett Show. The American actress, comedian, and singer was born on March 26th, 1949 in Inglewood, California. She started her career at the age of 17 after writing a fan letter to Carol Burnett. Burnett was impressed with Lawrence’s writing and after the two met, she created a character for her on the show.
Along with her work on The Carol Burnett Show, the now 75-year-old Lawrence appeared in various projects and had a very successful career. She is also known for her singing, with her song – “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” being a huge hit in 1973.
Dick Van Dyke
While Dick Van Dyke was among the last cast members of the Carol Burnett Show since he joined the show at the end in 1977, he was still able to leave a mark as he brought along a sense of freshness to the cast.
The 99 year old American actor, comedian, and dancer, whose professional career lasted over seven decades, began his career in the 1950s. His breakthrough came in the 1960 film Mary Poppins. He also had his own show – the Dick Van Dyke Show, where he showed his comic talent and charisma. Other projects you might recognize him from include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Night at the Museum.
Why did Harvey Korman Leave the Carol Burnett Show?
Harvey Korman left the Carol Burnett Show because he wanted to try his hands at other things. Not many people are able to stay in one situation for so long and this was the case with Korman who decided to leave in 1977 after having been a part of the show for 10 seasons, since its inception.
Why did Lyle Waggoner Leave the Carol Burnett Show?
Lyle Waggoner’s desire to advance his career as a lead actor and pursue other acting opportunities prompted him to leave the Carol Burnett Show. He had spent seven years on the show before leaving in 1974. It was understood that his departure was amicable with Carol and the show’s producers.
After The Carol Burnett Show, Waggoner played Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman. Other movies and series appearances under his belt include Charlie’s Angels, The San Pedro Beach Bums, Happy Days, Mork & Mindy, The Golden Girls, Ellen, The War at Home, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Murder, She Wrote.
FAQs
How old was Carol Burnett when she starred in The Carol Burnett Show?
Carol Burnett was already 34 years old when The Carol Burnett Show first aired on September 11 in the year 1967. The show continued its run until 1978 when it ended and Carol was at the age of 45.
How old is Carol Burnett currently?
Carol Burnett is 91 years old and was born on April 26th, in the year 1933.
Is Carol Burnett Still Alive?
Yes! Carol Burnett is still alive and thriving in the entertainment scene! She even graced us with her presence in the season of Better Call Saul, in 2022 and joyously commemorated her 2023 milestone with a tribute, from NBC.
Who are some of the actors, from The Carol Burnett Show who have passed away?
There have been a number of known cast members from The Carol Burnett Show who have sadly passed away. They include:
- Harvey Korman who passed away at the age of 81 due to complications arising from surgery on May 29th in the year 2008.
- Tim Conway passed away at the age of 85 due, on May 14th, in the year 2019 due to complications associated with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
- Actor Lyle Waggoner passed away at the age of 84 after fighting cancer.
When did The Carol Burnett Show air?
The program first premiered on September 11th in 1967 and Continued until March 29th of 1978. Some extra episodes and special features were shown at a later date.
How long did The Carol Burnett Show run?
The series aired for a total of 11 seasons. It featured 279 episodes broadcasted between 1967 and 1978 with short comebacks, in 1979 and 1991.
What were the characters on The Carol Burnett Show?
The performance showcased characters brought to life by star actors such as:
- Carol Burnett portrayed the character of Eunice, in the “The Family” sketches.
- The character Thelma “Ma” Harper was portrayed by Vickie Lawrence in the show.
- Tim Conways cherished character was The Elderly Gentleman.
- Harvey Korman played Ed Higgins.
