Arthur William Matthew Carney was born November 14, 1918, in Mount Vernon, New York. During World War II, Art was drafted as an infantryman. At the Battle of Normandy, Carney was wounded by shrapnel in his leg. This was the primary factor contributing to Carney’s distinct limp.
He was married twice to Jean Myers, once in 1940 and again forty years later. Their first marriage ended in 1965 and they had three children together. Carney married Barbara Isaac shortly after. He and Barbara were divorced in 1977.
Art Carney’s entertainment career started on the radio in the 1930s. He first appeared as a comic singer in the Horace Heidt Orchestra. He continued working on the radio until 1951. His first television role was a cross over radio/television show, The Morey Amsterdam Show. He played Charlie the doorman and his catch phrase, “Ya know what I mean?” still gets laughs today.
In 1950, Carney appeared on Jackie Gleason’s New York based comedy Series Cavalcade of Stars. Carney played mild –mannered victim of Gleason’s load mouth character, Charlie Bratten. Gleason liked the chemistry he had with Carney and asked him to be in some domestic skits called The Honeymooners.
The Honeymooners was soon picked up as a 30 minute sitcom and America loved Ed Norton and Ralph Kramden. Through The Honeymooners, Carney gained fame that would last a lifetime. Gleason says he picked Carney because he was so funny, Gleason would have to work twice as hard. Ed Norton influenced many other characters including Boo-boo-Bear and Barney Rubble.
Carney had an ABC special in 1958, Art Carney Meets Peter the Wolf. He also appeared on The Twilight Zone and Mr. Broadway. He also produced some albums, the most popular of which was “The Song of the Sewer,” where he sang as Ed Norton. In 1967, he premiered on broadway as Felix Ungar in The Odd Couple.
Art Carney has been nominated for 12 Emmy’s. He won seven total. He also won an Oscar for Harry and Tonto. Carney has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6627 Hollywood Blvd.
Art Carney died on November 9, 2003, in Westbrook, Connecticut, of natural causes. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
Carney was a true entertainer. He had a way of making everyday life funny. Art Carney truly be remembered forever as a great comedian and a hero to many.
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