When Art Carney left The Jackie Gleason Show, he wasn't just saying goodbye to a co-star; he was also saying goodbye to a good friend.

In the years that they had worked together, Carney and Gleason became an incredibly talented comedic duo, one that would be remembered for years to come.

According to an article in the Express-News, Carney took on the role of Mr. Dowd in Harvey, CBS's Dupont Show of the Month. It was a role that Carney had previously played, but by taking up the opportunity, he'd have to leave The Jackie Gleason Show.

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Carney said that it was a bittersweet moment, choosing to leave the series behind for however brief a moment. "I regret not having the chance to work with Gleason," said Carney during an interview with the Express-News.

Carney had played the character of Ed Norton for years, but claimed that he always enjoyed the role. "I never got tired of the Honeymooners skit," said the actor. "I always looked forward to going down to the show on Saturday nights."

In fact, Carney seemed to be content to play the character of Ed Norton for the rest of his life, though he knew that in order to succeed as an actor, he'd have to diversify his career.

"The only reason I'm not going back is that Bill McCaffrey, my agent, and I decided that in the long-range plan, career-wise, I'd be better off to freelance," said Carney.

Of course, it wouldn't be the last time we saw our favorite comedians on stage; Carney and Gleason would reunite on television, never missing a comedic beat. The two proved that even though we part ways with our friends, we never truly leave each other behind.