Actor, Comedian Harvey Korman Dead At 81

LOS ANGELES -- Actor and comedian Harvey Korman, a regular on "The Carol Burnett Show" who appeared in a string of Mel Brooks films such as "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety," died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center, according to the hospital.

Korman, 81, died of complications from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm he suffered four months ago, according to hospital officials.

"It was a miracle in itself that he survived the incident at all," his daughter, Kate Korman, said in a statement. "Everyone in the hospital referred to him as 'miracle man' because of his strong will and ability to bounce right back after several major operations."

"Tragically, after such a hard-fought battle he passed away," she said.

Born in Chicago in 1927, Korman broke into television in the early 1960s, making guest shots on programs such as "The Red Skelton Show," "Surfside 6," "The Untouchables" and "Perry Mason." He later made repeat appearances on "The Jack Benny Program," "The Lucy Show" and "The Munsters."

In the mid-1960s, his voice gained fame in the animated series "The Flintstones," providing the voice of The Great Gazoo, a small floating spaceman seen only by Fred Flintstone.

But he achieved major fame when he became a regular player on "The Carol Burnett Show," on which he often played the comic foil of Tim Conway. Korman won four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work on the show.

"Carol is absolutely devastated," Burnett's personal assistant, Angie Horejsi said. "She loved him very much."

Korman's pairing with Brooks cemented his position as a cult-movie favorite, most notably with his role as Hedley Lamarr in the western spoof "Blazing Saddles." He worked with Brooks again in "High Anxiety" and then portrayed Count de Monet in "History of the World: Part I." He also appeared in one of Brooks' less-well-received comedies, "Dracula: Dead and Loving It."

In 1996, he appeared in the Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy "Jingle All the Way."

He also showed up in two "Pink Panther" films. He returned to his cartoon roots by voicing the Dictabird in the 1994 live-action version of "The Flintstones" and played Col. Slaghoople in 2000's "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas."

Korman is survived by his wife Deborah; adult children Kate, Laura, Maria and Chris; and three grandchildren.

Memorial services will be private.
*KNBC