The Carol Burnett Show Cast: Where Are The Comedy Legends Now? (2025 Update)

The Carol Burnett Show remains one of the most beloved and influential television programs in history, a gold standard for sketch comedy and variety shows that defined a generation. Running for 11 seasons on CBS from 1967 to 1978, the series launched the careers of its core ensemble into superstardom and continues to entertain millions in syndication today. The show’s brilliance lay in the incredible chemistry between its core cast, a group of comedic geniuses who often struggled (and failed hilariously) to maintain composure during live performances.

As of late 2024 and early 2025, fans are naturally curious about the current status and recent projects of the iconic cast members who brought classic characters like Eunice Higgins and Mrs. Wiggins to life. While the passage of time has sadly claimed some of the legendary performers, the two surviving main cast members, Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence, are more active than ever, with recent projects that prove their comedic fire is far from extinguished. This deep dive reveals the full biography, final status, and up-to-the-minute updates on the unforgettable players of the Emmy-winning show.

The Main Cast of The Carol Burnett Show: A Complete Profile and Final Status

The core ensemble of The Carol Burnett Show was a tight-knit "family" of performers who perfected the art of the variety show format. The main cast changed slightly over the 11-year run, but the legendary comedic quartet of Burnett, Korman, Lawrence, and Conway is what most fans remember. Here is a look at the five main stars, their roles, and their current status:

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• Carol Burnett (Host/Various Characters):
  • Born: April 26, 1933 (Currently 91 years old)
  • Role: Host, Star, and various iconic characters including Eunice Higgins (The Family) and Starlet O’Hara (Went with the Wind).
  • Status: Alive and Active.
• Vicki Lawrence (Various Characters):
  • Born: March 26, 1949 (Currently 75 years old)
  • Role: Various characters, most notably "Mama" Thelma Harper (The Family) and Chrissy.
  • Status: Alive and Active.
• Harvey Korman (Various Characters):
  • Born: February 15, 1927
  • Role: The straight man, the villain, and the easily flustered foil to Conway and Burnett. Famous for his role as Ed Higgins (The Family).
  • Status: Deceased (Died May 29, 2008, at age 81).
• Tim Conway (Various Characters):
  • Born: December 15, 1933
  • Role: The master of improvisation and physical comedy, known for characters like the slow-moving Old Man, Mr. Tudball, and the infamous Dentist.
  • Status: Deceased (Died May 14, 2019, at age 85).
• Lyle Waggoner (Announcer/Various Characters):
  • Born: April 13, 1935
  • Role: The handsome announcer and the designated romantic lead/straight man (from 1967-1974).
  • Status: Deceased (Died March 17, 2020, at age 84).

The Enduring Legacy: Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner

The chemistry between the cast members was so palpable that it often led to genuine, unscripted moments of laughter, a hallmark of the show that viewers adored. Sadly, three of the main cast members have passed away, but their contributions to comedy remain monumental.

Harvey Korman: The Master of the Slow Burn

Harvey Korman was the essential anchor of the show, possessing an unmatched ability to play the pompous, easily irritated foil to Tim Conway’s antics. Korman won four Emmy Awards for his work on the show, proving his versatility in both dramatic and comedic roles. His most famous moments often involved him breaking character, a reaction that became funnier than the sketch itself, particularly when paired with Conway.

Korman left the show in 1977 to pursue his own series, but his legacy as the master of the slow-burn reaction shot is immortalized in sketches like "The Family," where he played the beleaguered husband Ed Higgins, and the various spoofs of famous movies.

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Tim Conway: The King of Improv and Physical Comedy

Tim Conway, who joined as a regular in 1975 after years as a frequent guest, was arguably the biggest threat to the cast's composure. His characters, such as the clumsy Old Man, the perpetually confused Mr. Tudball, and the terrifyingly inept Dentist, were masterpieces of physical comedy and unexpected improvisation.

The "Dentist" sketch, where Conway's character accidentally injects his own hand with Novocaine, is one of the most famous comedy bits in television history, leaving Harvey Korman helpless with laughter. Conway passed away in 2019, but his genius for making his co-stars lose it on camera remains his most cherished contribution.

Lyle Waggoner: The Handsome Straight Man

Lyle Waggoner was the original handsome straight man and announcer for the show, a role he played from 1967 to 1974. While often overshadowed by the comedic heavyweights, Waggoner was a vital part of the ensemble, playing the romantic leads in movie parodies and setting up the jokes for the main cast. After leaving the show, he famously went on to star as Steve Trevor in the Wonder Woman television series opposite Lynda Carter. Waggoner died in 2020 at the age of 84.

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The Surviving Legends: Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence's 2024/2025 Projects

In a wonderful testament to their enduring talent, the two surviving main cast members, Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence, are both actively working in the entertainment industry in 2024 and 2025.

Carol Burnett: The Renaissance at 91 (2025 Updates)

At 91 years old, Carol Burnett is experiencing a remarkable career renaissance. She has recently garnered critical acclaim for her role in a major streaming series, proving she can still captivate a modern audience.

• Palm Royale (2024-2025): Burnett is a key member of the ensemble cast in the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale, which premiered in March 2024. She plays the matriarch, Norma Dellacorte, a role that shows her dramatic range alongside her comedic timing. Her performance in the series has been widely praised, with her character even speaking "gibberish" in one scene, a first for the comedy icon.
• Retirement Discussion: Despite her active schedule, Burnett did spark discussion in late 2024 after mentioning a potential retirement from acting, though she remains engaged in projects and public appearances. Her continued presence on screen is a gift to fans of classic comedy.

Burnett’s career has been decorated with six Golden Globe Awards and multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, and she remains an icon of American television.

Vicki Lawrence: Mama is Still on Tour (2024-2025)

Vicki Lawrence, who was only 18 when she joined the show, created one of its most enduring characters: Thelma "Mama" Harper. Her character was so popular that it spawned its own successful spin-off series, Mama's Family, which ran from 1983 to 1990.

In 2024 and 2025, Lawrence is actively touring the country with her one-woman show, "Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show".

• The Tour: Lawrence's show features a mix of stand-up comedy, singing, and a Q&A session, culminating in the highly anticipated return of her alter-ego, the sharp-tongued Mama.
• Recent Engagements: She has scheduled appearances at theaters and performing arts centers throughout the 2024-2025 season, including speaking engagements and two-woman shows, keeping the spirit and humor of the original show alive for new generations.

The Sketches That Defined a Generation (Topical Authority)

The longevity and topical authority of The Carol Burnett Show are rooted in its groundbreaking and hilarious sketches. These recurring bits and parodies are essential entities in the show's history:

• "The Family": The most famous recurring sketch, this dark, often dramatic, and always hilarious look at a dysfunctional Southern family featured Burnett as the downtrodden Eunice Higgins, Korman as her exasperated husband Ed, and Lawrence as the cantankerous matriarch, Mama Thelma Harper.
• "Went with the Wind": A one-off movie parody of Gone with the Wind that became instantly legendary. Burnett's entrance in a dress made from curtains, complete with the curtain rod, is one of the most famous visual gags in television history.
• The Tim Conway-Harvey Korman Bits: Any sketch featuring this duo, including "The Dentist," "Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins," and the "Jockey Lyle Dorf" character, was a guaranteed classic, often leading to Korman's famous fits of laughter.
• Movie and Commercial Parodies: The show was a pioneer in parody, satirizing everything from soap operas (like "As the Stomach Turns") to blockbuster films, with the cast effortlessly transforming into dozens of different characters each week.

Winning 25 Emmy Awards and receiving 70 nominations over its run, The Carol Burnett Show is not just a relic of the past; it is a timeless comedic treasure that continues to influence modern comedy and provide endless laughter. The current work of Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence ensures that the legacy of this incredible cast remains a vibrant part of the entertainment landscape in 2025.