The late Harvey Korman was born on February 15, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, 90 years ago yesterday. The talented comedian, best known for his performances on The Carol Burnett Show and in Mel Brooks films, died on May 29, 2008 at the age of 81.
Yesterday I received an email from Harvey's son, Christopher Korman, who provided some noteworthy information about his father on the 90th anniversary of his birth. I would like to share the email with readers and fans as a tribute to an outstanding entertainer who brought joy and laughter to so many people.
- Joanne
Since this would have been my dad's 90th birthday, here are some interesting things related to him:
* Although Mama's Family, was set in Raytown Kansas, the house was actually located in a suburb of Paadena, California. However, the one shown in the Eunice Special was shot in Kansas. The voice of Carl was supplied by Dick Clair who co-wrote Mama's Family with Jenna McMahon. IMDd attributes Carl's voice to Ken Berry, which isn't true.
* My dad claimed that if it weren't for Anne Bancroft seeing him on The Carol Burnett Show, he wouldn't have landed the iconic role of Hedley Lamaar in Blazing Saddles.
* Arte Johnson and my dad both won Emmy Awards in 1968, which has a bit of irony to it in that Arte is a very distant relative on my dad's side.
* My dad told me he once dated briefly the first Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless - Brenda Dickson.
* My dad never considered himself in the class of voice over talents on The Simpsons, but he did at least five voices in the spoof on James Bond in the 1966 animated movie A Man Called Flintstone.
I ADORED Harvey Korman! What a talented, talented man. He was tall, handsome, hysterically funny, but also played a great straight man. He was able to portray a British officer or a hippy with apparent ease. He was willing to do what ever was necessary to make the scene happen for the other players. He had such a wide range of ability. What a great guy he was - I miss seeing people like him on television.
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