Harvey Korman: ''I don't think I've liked very much since I left Carol Burnett.''

The actor thoroughly enjoyed his time on the series.

January 16, 2025, 11:33AM By MeTV Staff

CBS Television Distribution

Harvey Korman was an essential part of The Carol Burnett Show. However, after he left the series, he had difficulties finding a series or film that guaranteed the same level of success as he had during his time on the variety series.

"Talk about a forgettable picture," said Korman of his 1987 film, Munchies, which hadn't performed as well as he had hoped. Still, Korman wasn't fueled by a desire for money or even success. He was fueled by pure adoration of his craft. "But when you're doing it you've got to fall in love with it," said the actor. "You've got to feel like what you're doing is great or else you can't get up in the morning and go to work."

It's a great deal of dedication for someone who didn't even intend to pursue comedy at the beginning of his career.

"When I got out of the service, I went to the Goodman Theater in Chicago," said Korman. "I was going to be a dramatic actor, played Hamlet and all that stuff, but there was no money in that so I became a comedian."

Luckily, Korman had a knack for comedy and quickly flew up in the ranks of performers everywhere. Eventually, he was cast alongside Carol Burnett on her series. Korman called Burnett "one of the sweetest, nicest ladies in the world."

When asked what the best part of being a star was, Korman was honest. "I'm not sure I'm really a star, but the best thing about being a celebrity," he said. "The best thing about it is getting into a restaurant without having to wait in line."

Still, it's arguable that while Korman saw success in films like Blazing Saddles and television shows like Mama's Family, he was never quite as happy as he was doing The Carol Burnett Show.

"I don't think I've liked very much since I left Carol Burnett," said the actor.

But while the actor enjoyed his time on the series, he did think that his talent on the show might have damaged his career in the future.

"I think that's probably why the shows I've tried to do since The Carol Burnett Show didn't work out," said Korman. "Because they are used to seeing you in one context and uncomfortable with you in a different context."