When people think about Carol Burnett, they remember her famous comedy shows and bright smile. But not many people know about the man who was with her at the very beginning—Don Saroyan. He was her first husband, her college love, and someone who supported her before she became famous. This is his story.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Don Saroyan |
| Born | October 4, 1928, in Omaha, Nebraska |
| Died | November 24, 1990, in Los Angeles, California |
| Age at Death | 62 years old |
| Known For | Actor, Carol Burnett’s first husband |
| Marriage to Carol | December 15, 1955 – 1962 (7 years) |
| Children | One daughter from first marriage |
| Famous Movies | Cuban Rebel Girls (1959), Blast of Silence (1961), Airwolf (1984) |
Early Life and Family Background
Don Saroyan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on October 4, 1928. His parents, Anna and Harvey Saroyan, worked very hard. They owned a dry cleaning business and later opened a drive-through restaurant. This showed young Don that success comes from hard work and trying new things.
But Don’s early life was not easy. He lost his baby brother shortly after he was born. Then his mother passed away. Later, his father also died when Don was still in his twenties. These sad events changed Don deeply. They made him stronger, but they also left him with deep pain.
When Don was only 18 years old, he got married for the first time and became a father. He had a daughter from this marriage. The family lived in Philadelphia for a short time, but the marriage did not last long. After they separated, his wife returned to Pennsylvania with their daughter. This was another difficult moment in Don’s young life.
Dreams of Hollywood and Broadway
Like many young people with big dreams, Don wanted to become an actor and singer. He moved to Los Angeles, hoping to find success in Hollywood. He joined UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) to study and learn more about acting. He hoped that education would help him get better roles.
But Los Angeles was just the start of his journey. Don was attracted to the bright lights of Broadway in New York City. He moved there, hoping to become a theater director. He shared an apartment with two friends from college. Every day, he worked hard to make his dreams come true.
Meeting Carol Burnett
In 1952, Don met Carol Burnett at UCLA through a friend named Peggy McKenna. Carol was a young student who also loved performing. She had big dreams of becoming an actress and comedian. When Don and Carol met, they quickly fell in love. They shared the same passion for theater and the same dream of succeeding on Broadway.
Their love story was sweet and full of hope. Both of them wanted the same thing—to make it big in show business. A kind millionaire from California saw Carol perform at a college party. He was so impressed that he gave Carol and Don each $1,000 (a lot of money at that time) to help them move to New York City. The only conditions were that they had to pay him back in five years and never tell anyone his name. They accepted the offer and left college to chase their dreams together.
Marriage and Challenges
Don and Carol got married on December 15, 1955. At first, everything seemed perfect. They were young, in love, and working toward their goals. Don tried to get acting roles while Carol took small parts in television and theater.
But life in show business is not easy. Carol’s career started growing faster than Don’s. She was getting more roles and more attention. Her talent for comedy began to shine, and people started to notice her. Meanwhile, Don struggled to find steady work. This difference in their success created stress in their marriage.
Then, something terrible happened. Don’s daughter from his first marriage passed away. Losing a child is one of the hardest things anyone can experience. This tragedy broke Don’s heart. He became quiet and lost much of his energy and passion for acting. While Don was dealing with deep sadness, Carol’s career was taking off. She was getting more famous every day.
The couple began living separate lives, even though they were still married. On Christmas Day in 1959, they decided to separate. Carol later said there was no big fight—they had simply started living “parallel lives.” Their divorce became final in 1962 in Las Vegas. They had been married for about seven years but had no children together.
Even though their marriage ended, Don and Carol remained respectful toward each other. Years later, Don even helped with Carol’s biography. It was clear that they still cared about each other, even if they could not stay together.
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Don’s Career in Entertainment
Don Saroyan did not become a famous actor, but he never gave up on entertainment. He appeared in several movies and television shows. His most known roles include:
- Cuban Rebel Girls (1959) – A movie where he played a small but meaningful part
- Blast of Silence (1961) – Another film that showed his acting skills
- Airwolf (1984) – A popular TV series where he appeared years later
Don also worked behind the scenes in many productions. He was a production coordinator on more than 25 projects. This type of work is important but often goes unnoticed. He helped make sure everything ran smoothly on set.
Don’s last known acting work was in 1986 in shows like Airwolf and The Magical World of Disney. After that, he stepped away from the spotlight and lived a quieter life.
Life After Carol Burnett
While Carol Burnett went on to become one of the biggest stars in American television, Don chose a different path. He did not seek fame or attention. He focused on his work behind the scenes and lived a more private life.
Carol married again in 1963 to television producer Joe Hamilton. They had three daughters together: Carrie, Jody, and Erin. Sadly, Carrie died at age 38 from lung cancer. Carol later married Brian Miller in 2001, and they remain together today.
Carol’s career continued to grow. She won many awards, including six Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and even the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her television show, The Carol Burnett Show, became a classic and is still loved by people today.
Don, on the other hand, lived quietly. He did not talk much to the media or try to use his connection to Carol for attention. People who knew him said he was a kind and thoughtful man who valued peace and honesty.
Don Saroyan’s Death and Legacy
Don Saroyan died on November 24, 1990, in Los Angeles County, California. He was 62 years old. The exact cause of his death was never made public. He was buried in Hollywood Hills, the same city where he had once chased his dreams as a young man.
There were no big headlines about his passing. His death was quiet, much like the way he chose to live his later years. But those who knew him remembered him as a person with a good heart and a true love for the arts.
Don’s legacy is not about fame or fortune. It is about the courage to keep trying, even when life is hard. He faced many personal losses—his family members, his daughter, his marriage, and his struggle to succeed in Hollywood. But he never stopped working or dreaming.
Today, Don Saroyan is mostly remembered as Carol Burnett’s first husband. But he was much more than that. He was an actor, a dreamer, and a man who supported one of the greatest comedians in history during her early years. His story reminds us that not every success is measured by fame. Sometimes, it is measured by the quiet strength to keep going.
Why Don’s Story Matters
Don Saroyan’s life teaches us important lessons. It shows us that:
- Not everyone who works hard becomes famous, but that does not mean their work is not important
- Supporting others is valuable, even if you do not get credit for it
- Life can be difficult, but you can still live with dignity and kindness
- Behind every famous person, there are often people who helped them along the way
Don may not have won awards or seen his name in bright lights, but he played a part in Carol Burnett’s journey. He was there when she was just starting out, when she was unknown and unsure. That is something meaningful.
His story also reminds us to look beyond the headlines and appreciate the people who work quietly in the background. Hollywood is full of such people—actors who never became stars, directors who never won Oscars, and supporters who never got thanked. But they all helped build the world of entertainment we enjoy today.
Conclusion
Don Saroyan lived a life full of dreams, challenges, and quiet courage. From his difficult childhood in Nebraska to his time in Los Angeles and New York, he kept reaching for his goals. His marriage to Carol Burnett was an important chapter in both their lives, even though it did not last.
While Carol went on to become a legend, Don chose a simpler path. He continued working in the entertainment industry without seeking fame. He lived with honesty and kindness, and he faced his struggles with strength.
Today, when we think of Carol Burnett’s incredible success, we can also remember Don Saroyan—the man who was there at the beginning, the man who believed in her, and the man who had his own story worth telling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Don Saroyan?
Don Saroyan was an American actor and the first husband of famous comedian Carol Burnett. He was born in 1928 in Omaha, Nebraska, and worked in movies and television shows during the 1950s to 1980s.
2. How long were Don Saroyan and Carol Burnett married?
They were married for about seven years. They got married on December 15, 1955, and divorced in 1962. They met in college and shared a love for theater and performing.
3. Did Don Saroyan and Carol Burnett have children together?
No, they did not have any children together. Don had a daughter from his first marriage before he met Carol.
4. What movies and TV shows was Don Saroyan in?
Don appeared in several productions, including Cuban Rebel Girls (1959), Blast of Silence (1961), and the TV show Airwolf (1984). He also worked behind the scenes on over 25 projects as a production coordinator.
5. When did Don Saroyan die?
Don Saroyan died on November 24, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. He was 62 years old. He was buried in Hollywood Hills. The cause of his death was not shared publicly.
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