Fans often wonder who has passed away from the carol burnett show. This question hits home for many who grew up laughing at the sketches and songs. The show ran from 1967 to 1978 on CBS. It delivered 279 episodes of pure joy. Carol Burnett led a talented team that shaped TV comedy.
Today, we remember three key cast members who left us too soon: Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner. They brought magic to every skit. Their work lives on in reruns and hearts. This guide shares their stories, careers, and why they mattered. If you search who has passed away from the carol burnett show, you’ll find facts here. We keep it simple and respectful.
The show won 25 Emmys. It ranked high on TV Guide’s best lists. Nostalgia drives searches like who has passed away from the carol burnett show?. Older fans seek updates. Younger ones discover the laughs. Let’s dive into their lives.
The Heart of The Carol Burnett Show: A Quick History
The Carol Burnett Show changed variety TV. It mixed sketches, parodies, and guest stars. Burnett hosted with warmth and wit. The format felt fresh. No scripts held back the fun. Ad-libs sparked real laughs.
Key elements made it shine:
- Q&A Segments: Burnett chatted with fans. It built a family feel.
- Famous Sketches: “The Family” mocked soap operas. “Went with the Wind” spoofed Gone with the Wind.
- Guest Stars: Icons like Lucille Ball and Steve Martin joined in.
The cast clicked from day one. Harvey Korman set up jokes. Lyle Waggoner added charm. Tim Conway stole scenes with chaos. Vicki Lawrence brought energy. Together, they created gold.
Stats show its impact. Over 3 million views for a 2001 special. Time magazine listed it in the top 100 shows. As of 2025, reruns air daily. Fans still ask who has passed away from the carol burnett show to connect with the past.
Tim Conway: The Master of Ad-Libbed Mayhem
Tim Conway joined as a guest in 1967. He became a regular in 1975. His timing cracked up the cast. Who can forget the Elephant Story? Or Mr. Tudball’s mishaps? Conway turned simple lines into gold.
Born December 15, 1933, in Willoughby, Ohio, Conway started in radio. He voiced characters early on. His big break? McHale’s Navy from 1962 to 1966. There, he played Ensign Parker. Fans loved his bumbling style.
On The Carol Burnett Show, he won four Emmys. Three for acting, one for writing. A Golden Globe followed in 1976. He hosted his own shows too: The Tim Conway Comedy Hour in 1970 and The Tim Conway Show in 1980. Films like The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) teamed him with Don Knotts.
Later, Conway voiced Barnacle Boy on SpongeBob SquarePants. Guest spots on Coach and 30 Rock earned more Emmys. His Dorf shorts, eight in total from 1987 to 1996, showed his physical comedy.
Conway wrote a bestseller memoir, What’s So Funny?: My Hilarious Life (2013). Peers praised him. Bob Newhart called him “one of the greatest.” Carol Burnett said, “He was one in a million.”
Sadly, Conway passed on May 14, 2019, at age 85. Complications from normal pressure hydrocephalus took him. He left seven children and a comedy legacy. Fans mourned a genius who made breaking character an art.
For more on his life, check Tim Conway’s Wikipedia page. It details his full career.
Tim Conway’s Top Achievements
- Emmy Wins: Five Primetime Emmys total.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: Star in 1989.
- TV Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2002.
- Disney Legend: Honored in 2004.
- Voice Work: Beloved in animated hits.
His style? Pure improv. It kept sketches alive. No wonder searches for who has passed away from the carol burnett show often lead to his name.
Harvey Korman: The Straight Man with a Twist
Harvey Korman anchored the show from 1967 to 1977. He played foils to Burnett’s wild ideas. Think Ed Higgins in “The Family” or F. Lee Carmen in parodies. His deadpan delivery fueled the fun.
Born February 15, 1927, in Chicago, Korman trained at the Goodman School of Drama. Early gigs? The Danny Kaye Show and The Lucy Show. He voiced The Great Gazoo on The Flintstones in 1965-1966.
The Carol Burnett Show was his peak. Four Emmys for supporting work. A Golden Globe in 1975. He left in 1977 for his own sitcom, The Harvey Korman Show. It lasted just five episodes. He reunited with Conway for tours and Mama’s Family (1983-1984).
Films? Blazing Saddles (1974) as Hedley Lamarr. High Anxiety (1977) with Mel Brooks. History of the World: Part I (1981). Voice roles in The Flintstones and others kept him busy.
Korman won seven Emmy nods overall. His daughter Katherine said, “Everything he did on the show, especially Mother Marcus, was a favorite.” He married twice, had four kids.
Korman died May 29, 2008, at age 81. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm caused it. Burnett called him a “brilliant comedian and loving human.” His net worth? About $25 million at passing.
Korman knew sketches needed structure. He said, “A sketch is a small play with a beginning, middle, and end.” That wisdom shines in every episode.
Harvey Korman’s Career Highlights
- Emmy Wins: Four from the show.
- Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actor, 1975.
- Film Roles: Starred in Brooks classics.
- Voice Acting: Iconic in cartoons.
- Tours: 120 shows a year with Conway.
When people ask who has passed away from the carol burnett show, Korman’s name tops lists for his steady genius.
Lyle Waggoner: The Handsome Heartthrob and Announcer
Lyle Waggoner brought eye candy and laughs from 1967 to 1974. He announced and starred in sketches. Often, he played the straight man to Burnett’s crushes. His baritone voice opened every show.
Born April 13, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, Waggoner grew up in Missouri. He sold encyclopedias door-to-door before acting. Early roles? Gunsmoke and beach flicks like Catalina Caper (1967).
On the show, he posed semi-nude for Playgirl in 1973 – the first centerfold. It boosted his fame. After leaving, he landed Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman (1975-1979). He played father and son across seasons.
Later, he guested on Murder, She Wrote and Ellen. In 1979, he started Star Waggons. It rents trailers to Hollywood. His sons run it today. A 10-acre lot in Sylmar keeps it thriving1.
Waggoner appeared in the 2017 50th anniversary special. Burnett said, “He was funny, kind, and multi-talented. A loving friend.” He married Sharon in 1960. Two sons, Jason and Beau, survive him.
Waggoner died March 17, 2020, at age 84. Cancer was the cause. He died at home with family. His business lives on, like his charm.
For a deep dive, seethis SlashFilm article on surviving cast. It contrasts his story with others2.
Lyle Waggoner’s Key Moments
- Playgirl Centerfold: Pioneered male features.
- Wonder Woman: Iconic as Steve Trevor.
- Star Waggons: Built a film industry staple.
- Guest Spots: Fun roles in 80s-90s TV.
- Announcer Role: Defined the show’s start.
Waggoner’s good looks hid sharp wit. He fits right in queries like who has passed away from the carol burnett show?.
The Surviving Stars: Keeping the Legacy Alive
Not all goodbyes are final. Two main cast members thrive in 2025. Carol Burnett, born 1933, turns 92 this year. She stars in Hacks and Palm Royale. Her 2023 special, Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love, drew crowds. She endowed a UCLA scholarship too.
Vicki Lawrence, who joined at 18, shines on. She tours with Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show. Mama’s Family spun from her sketches. A Golden Globe nod and Billboard No. 1 hit “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” mark her path.
These women carry the torch. They remind us why fans check who has passed away from the carol burnett show – to celebrate all.
Why The Carol Burnett Show Endures: Stats and Stories
The show’s pull? Timeless laughs. A 2025 update shows 70 Emmy nods. 25 wins. TV Guide ranked it No. 17 in greatest shows. Time’s 100 Best TV list included it.
Reruns as Carol Burnett and Friends air syndication-wide. A 2017 special reunited stars. Views hit millions. Nostalgia fuels it. Searches for who has passed away from the carol burnett show spike yearly.
Quotes capture the magic. Burnett: “We were an ensemble.” Conway on Korman: “We knew when to shut up.” These bonds built legends.
For fans, it’s more than comedy. It’s comfortable. Sketches teach timing. Parodies spark joy. The cast’s warmth draws generations.
Impactful Stats
- Episodes: 279 original, plus 1991 specials.
- Awards: 25 Emmys, multiple Globes.
- Views: 3M+ for retrospectives.
- Rankings: Top 20 all-time lists.
- Searches: 15% yearly rise for cast updates.
Tributes and Quotes: Words from the Stars
Tributes pour in. On Conway: Burnett said, “I cherish our times.” For Korman: Mel Brooks3: “A world without him is more serious.” Waggoner? Carter: “A true friend.”
Burnett fired Korman once – over rudeness – but hired him back. It shows their trust. Lawrence recalls mentoring: “Carol and Harvey shaped me.”
These stories humanize them. They weren’t just funny. They were kind.
FAQ: Who Has Passed Away from The Carol Burnett Show
Who has passed away from The Carol Burnett Show?
Three main cast members have passed away:
- Tim Conway (died May 14, 2019, age 85)
- Harvey Korman (died May 29, 2008, age 81)
- Lyle Waggoner (died March 17, 2020, age 84)
Are Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence still alive in 2025?
Yes! As of December 2025, both Carol Burnett (age 92) and Vicki Lawrence (age 76) are alive and still active in entertainment.
What caused Tim Conway’s death?
He passed from complications of normal pressure hydrocephalus (fluid buildup on the brain) after a long illness.
Why is Harvey Korman remembered as the “straight man” on the show?
Harvey played the calm, serious foil to everyone else’s chaos—his reactions made the sketches even funnier.
Did Lyle Waggoner ever return to the show after leaving in 1974?
Yes! He came back as a guest several times and appeared in the 2017 50th-anniversary special.
Has anyone else from the regular cast passed away?
No. The only major cast members from the original run who have passed are Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner.
Where can I watch old episodes today?
Many episodes stream on services like Shout! TV, Pluto TV, Tubi, and the official Carol Burnett YouTube channel. The 50th-anniversary specials are also available.
In Conclusion: Reflecting on Who Has Passed Away from The Carol Burnett Show
The Carol Burnett Show gifted us endless laughs. Who has passed away from the carol burnett show4? Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner. Their departures sadden, but their work endures. From ad-libs to announcements, they defined joy.
Burnett and Lawrence keep it alive. Reruns remind us of magic. As fans, we honor by watching, sharing, laughing. Their legacy? A blueprint for comedy.
What’s your favorite sketch? Share below – let’s keep the conversation going.
References and Audience Insights
- People Magazine. (2025, May 17). What Ever Happened to the Cast of ‘The Carol Burnett Show’? (Survivors, tributes.) ↩︎
- Wikipedia. (2025). Harvey Korman. (Emmys, death details.) ↩︎
- Wikipedia. (2025). Tim Conway. Retrieved from wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Conway. (Detailed career, awards; evergreen source.) ↩︎
- SlashFilm. (2025, March 26). The Only Major Actors Still Alive From The Carol Burnett Show. Retrieved from slashfilm.com/1427835/the-carol-burnett-show-major-actors-still-alive/. (Updated bios, cast status; ranks high for fresh, structured lists.) ↩︎
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