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The Carol Burnett Show Cast: Where Are The Iconic Comedy Legends Now In 2025?

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The Carol Burnett Show remains one of the most influential and beloved variety shows in television history, a comedic powerhouse that ran for 11 seasons and cemented the careers of five legendary performers. More than five decades after its debut, the show's groundbreaking sketches, from "The Family" to Mrs. Wiggins, continue to resonate with new generations of comedy fans and actors alike. The core ensemble—Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, and Lyle Waggoner—created a timeless brand of clean, physical, and character-driven humor.

As of December 23, 2025, the status of the cast is a poignant mix of active careers, enduring legacies, and cherished memories. While the show's star, Carol Burnett, is still working at age 92, and her protégé, Vicki Lawrence, continues to tour, three of the original members have passed away, leaving behind a monumental comedic void. This deep dive explores the latest updates on the surviving members and celebrates the final projects of the titans who made the show an unforgettable cultural phenomenon.

Carol Burnett: The Queen of Comedy's Latest Chapter

Carol Burnett, the show's namesake and heart, is a true American institution, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Kennedy Center Honoree, and a comedy pioneer. Her career spans over seven decades, yet she shows little sign of fully retiring, with significant new projects dominating the news in 2025. Her professional life is a testament to her enduring talent and passion for performance.

  • Full Name: Carol Creighton Burnett
  • Born: April 26, 1933 (Age 92 in 2025)
  • Hometown: San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
  • Spouse: Brian Miller (m. 2001)
  • Key Roles: Host of The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978), Miss Hannigan in Annie (1982), Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (Broadway), Dodo in Palm Royale (2025).
  • Awards: Six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, a Peabody Award, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
  • Latest Update (2025): Burnett is a central figure in the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale, which premiered in November 2025.

The Two Surviving Legends: Where They Are Now in 2025

Of the legendary core ensemble, only two main cast members—Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence—are still alive and active in the entertainment industry today. Their recent activities, including major television roles and extensive touring schedules, prove that the energy and comedic timing that defined the Carol Burnett Show are still very much present.

Carol Burnett's "Last Hurrah" on 'Palm Royale'

In a major television event for late 2025, Carol Burnett starred alongside Kristen Wiig and Laura Dern in the Apple TV+ comedy series Palm Royale. Burnett played Norma Dellacorte, a wealthy, comatose matriarch, a role that brought her back into the spotlight and earned her critical acclaim. In interviews discussing the new show, the 92-year-old comedy icon hinted that her role in Palm Royale might be her "last hurrah" as an actor, a statement that resonated deeply with her global fanbase. Despite this, she continues to make public appearances, including presenting an award to her longtime costume designer and friend, Bob Mackie, in 2025.

Vicki Lawrence: Still Touring as 'Mama' and Beyond

Vicki Lawrence, who was famously discovered by Carol Burnett and joined the show at just 18 years old, has maintained a robust career in the decades since. Her most enduring character, Thelma Harper, or "Mama," from the popular "The Family" sketches, spun off into the hit series Mama's Family.

In 2025 and even extending into 2026, Lawrence is actively touring the United States with her popular stage show, Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show. Her schedule includes numerous appearances at comic conventions and performing arts centers, showcasing her versatility as a comedian, actress, and singer. Lawrence's continued presence on the road is a testament to the timeless appeal of her characters and her connection with her audience, solidifying her status as a true theatrical entity. Personally, 2024 was a difficult year for Lawrence, as she mourned the loss of her husband of 50 years, Al Schultz.

The Comedy Titans We Lost: Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, and Lyle Waggoner

The magic of The Carol Burnett Show was built on the seamless chemistry and hilarious rivalry between its main players. The loss of Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, and Lyle Waggoner has left a permanent gap in the comedy world, but their work is continually celebrated through reruns, streaming services, and appreciation for their final projects.

Harvey Korman (1927–2008): The Master of the Slow Burn

Harvey Korman was Carol Burnett's primary male foil, a master of character who could play anything from a pompous boss to a bumbling husband. His ability to maintain a straight face while Tim Conway improvised around him often led to Korman breaking character, a recurring moment of genuine comedy gold that fans adored. Korman was a four-time Emmy winner for his work on the show.

After leaving the show, Korman continued his successful collaboration with Mel Brooks, starring in classics like Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety. His final major film role was in the 1995 Brooks parody Dracula: Dead and Loving It. Korman passed away on May 29, 2008, at the age of 81. His legacy is one of unparalleled versatility and a true dedication to the craft of sketch comedy, making him a foundational entity in American humor.

Tim Conway (1933–2019): The King of Improvisation

Tim Conway, who joined the cast as a regular in 1975, was the show's secret weapon, known for his brilliant, often unscripted physical comedy and character creations like the Old Man and the inept dentist. His sketches with Harvey Korman are legendary, frequently causing Korman to collapse in laughter on camera, a genuine moment that endeared the cast to the audience.

Conway's career extended far beyond the variety show, including his own series and beloved voice work, notably as Barnacle Boy on the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. He passed away on May 14, 2019, at the age of 85, due to complications from Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). His comedic style—subtle, unexpected, and brilliantly physical—is a key topical entity when discussing the history of sketch comedy.

Lyle Waggoner (1935–2020): The Handsome Straight Man

Lyle Waggoner served as the show's announcer and resident handsome straight man from 1967 to 1974, often playing the dashing love interest or the perfect foil to Carol's outrageous characters. His departure paved the way for Tim Conway to become a regular cast member.

Post-Burnett Show, Waggoner achieved further fame as Steve Trevor and Steve Trevor Jr. in the 1970s superhero series Wonder Woman, starring Lynda Carter. He later established his own successful business, Star Waggons, which provided custom luxury trailers for film and television productions. Waggoner died peacefully on March 17, 2020, at the age of 84, after a battle with cancer. His transition from on-screen talent to a successful industry entrepreneur makes him a unique entity in this cast's history.

The Enduring Topical Authority of The Carol Burnett Show

The enduring popularity of The Carol Burnett Show is not just a nostalgic memory; it is a continued presence in modern entertainment. The show's influence on subsequent generations of sketch comedy, from Saturday Night Live to current variety specials, is undeniable. The cast's ability to transition seamlessly between broad physical comedy and sharp, character-driven satire provides a masterclass in performance that is still studied today.

The fact that Carol Burnett, at 92, is still headlining a major streaming series in 2025 is a powerful statement about the longevity and quality of the talent that graced that stage. The show’s topical authority is constantly renewed through re-airings, retrospectives, and the continued professional lives of its surviving stars. It stands as a pinnacle of television history, a gold standard for clean, witty, and heartwarming entertainment that will likely continue to influence performers for decades to come.

cast of carol burnett show
cast of carol burnett show

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