The world has lost a true comedy icon.LOS ANGELES - Harvey Korman, the tall, versatile comedian who won four Emmys for his outrageously funny contributions to "The Carol Burnett Show" and played a conniving politician to hilarious effect in "Blazing Saddles," died Thursday. He was 81.
Korman died at UCLA Medical Center after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago, his family said. He had undergone several major operations.
"He was a brilliant comedian and a brilliant father," daughter Kate Korman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He had a very good sense of humor in real life." (H/T - AP via Yahoo!)
If I can be serious for a moment, I wanted to express the great sense of loss I felt upon hearing this news. See, Harvey Korman and Mel Brooks were my comedy inspirations growing up. My parents were big fans of their films - Blazing Saddles and History of the World, Part I were amongst their faves - so naturally, I became a huge fan of their work.
Brooks is a genius, but I always favored Korman's acting. He made comedy look effortless, when people in the know realize that making people laugh is at times very difficult. He had a tremendous impact on my life, and was the reason I wanted to make people laugh. Anything that was ever even mildly funny here would be because of, and now for, him. Thank you, Harvey. Thank you so very much.
Although it is a very sad day, I wanted to post something that would give everyone a smile. I think this scene from Blazing Saddles is just the thing:
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