The Carol Burnett Show defined television comedy for eleven seasons, running from 1967 to 1978 on CBS. Featuring an unmatched mix of musical numbers, biting sketch comedy, and unforgettable recurring characters, the variety hour won 25 Primetime Emmy Awards and turned its regular ensemble into household names. Decades after the final curtain call, television enthusiasts still wonder which members of that legendary troupe are still with us.
Only one main cast member from the original ensemble remains alive today: Carol Burnett herself.
The rest of the principal regular cast—Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner—have all passed away. While the core troupe is nearly gone, their influence on modern sketch comedy remains immense. Let's look back at the iconic ensemble, who is still alive, and where their storied careers took them.
Carol Burnett
As the star, creator, and guiding force of the series, Carol Burnett anchored every single episode with her signature warmth, physical comedy, and infamous ear-tug sign-off. Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1933, Burnett broke barriers as one of the first women to host her own television variety series.
After the show ended in 1978, Burnett maintained a prolific career across film, stage, and television. She starred in films like The Four Seasons, earned critical acclaim for dramatic turns, and returned to Broadway multiple times. She also established herself as an author, penning several memoirs including This Time Together: My Laughs and Life.
Today, Burnett remains active and celebrated within the entertainment industry. She received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and continues to make guest television appearances, proving that her comedic timing hasn't lost an edge.
Vicki Lawrence
Vicki Lawrence joined the cast as a teenager during the show's first season in 1967 after writing a fan letter to Burnett noting their physical resemblance. Burnett hired her as a regular, and Lawrence quickly proved her mettle by holding her own alongside seasoned comedians.
Lawrence became legendary for her portrayal of Mama (Thelma Harper) in the recurring sketch "The Family," a character so popular it spun off into the hit 1980s sitcom Mama's Family. She also won an Emmy Award for her work on the variety show and released a chart-topping pop single, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," in 1973.
After television stardom, Lawrence toured extensively for decades with her one-woman stage show, Vicki Lawrence and Friends, blending stand-up comedy and musical numbers. Though she announced her retirement from touring in recent years, she remains a beloved pop culture icon and television historian.
Tim Conway
Tim Conway joined The Carol Burnett Show as a frequent guest star before becoming a full-time regular in 1975. Known for his rubber-faced expressions, gentle demeanor, and knack for unscripted improvisation, Conway specialized in torturing his castmates—particularly Harvey Korman—into breaking character during live-to-tape sketches.
Conway won multiple Emmy Awards for his work on the show and later starred in numerous Disney films, voice-acted in animated series like SpongeBob SquarePants, and reunited with Harvey Korman for touring comedy shows.
Conway passed away on May 14, 2019, at the age of 85 due to complications from normal pressure hydrocephalus. His legendary sketches, such as "The Old Man" and "The Dentist," remain masterclasses in physical comedy.
Harvey Korman
Harvey Korman was the utility player and straight man of The Carol Burnett Show, appearing from 1967 until 1977. Before joining Burnett, Korman honed his craft on The Danny Kaye Show. On Burnett's program, his ability to play aristocratic snobs, terrified patients, and straight men opposite Tim Conway's manic characters made him indispensable.
After leaving the show in 1977 to launch his own short-lived variety series, Korman maintained a steady acting career. He appeared in several Mel Brooks films, including Blazing Saddles and History of the World, Part I, and lent his voice to various animated projects.
Korman passed away on May 29, 2008, at the age of 81 after suffering complications from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Lyle Waggoner
Lyle Waggoner served as the show's handsome announcer and straight man from 1967 to 1974, frequently playing the object of affection in satirical sketches and commercial parodies. Beyond his work on the variety hour, Waggoner was famously the first actor to play Steve Trevor in the 1970s Wonder Woman television series starring Lynda Carter.
After stepping away from full-time acting in the 1980s, Waggoner found massive entrepreneurial success as the founder of Star Waggons, a company that rents out custom production trailers to television and film studios.
Waggoner passed away on March 17, 2020, at the age of 84 in Westlake Village, California, following a brief illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the last surviving cast member of The Carol Burnett Show?
Carol Burnett is the sole surviving principal regular cast member from the classic variety series.
How long did The Carol Burnett Show run?
The show aired for 11 seasons on CBS, broadcasting 279 episodes between 1967 and 1978.
Did Vicki Lawrence and Carol Burnett stay friends after the show?
Yes, Burnett and Lawrence maintained a close personal and professional friendship for decades, frequently collaborating and speaking fondly of their time working together on television.
Why did Harvey Korman leave the show in 1977?
Korman left the program during its tenth season to pursue his own network television vehicle, The Harvey Korman Show, though he returned as a guest for the final season.
