Don Saroyan was an American actor and production coordinator who is best remembered as the first husband of actress and comedian Carol Burnett. The two met while studying at UCLA and shared dreams of working on Broadway.
Saroyan also tried to build his own entertainment career. He appeared in a small number of films and television shows and later worked behind the scenes on many productions. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1928 and died in Los Angeles in 1990 at age 62.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Don Saroyan |
| Date of birth | October 4, 1928 |
| Birthplace | Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, production coordinator |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Parents | Anna and Harvey Saroyan |
| Children | One daughter from his first marriage |
| Famous ex-wife | Carol Burnett |
| Marriage to Carol Burnett | 1955–1962 |
| Date of death | November 24, 1990 |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California |
| Age at death | 62 |
Don Saroyan’s Early Life and Family
Don Saroyan was born on October 4, 1928, in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents were Anna and Harvey Saroyan. According to reports about his life, his parents owned a dry-cleaning plant in Omaha and later operated a drive-through restaurant.
Saroyan experienced several family losses while he was young. His brother reportedly died only a few months after his birth, and his mother died not long afterward. His father also died when Saroyan was in his late 20s.
Details about Saroyan’s childhood education are limited. He eventually moved to Los Angeles with plans to work in entertainment.
His First Marriage and Daughter
Carol Burnett was not Don Saroyan’s first wife. Reports say he married for the first time when he was about 18 years old and moved to Philadelphia with his wife.
They had one daughter together. After the marriage ended, his former wife returned to Pennsylvania with their child while Saroyan later moved to Los Angeles.
His daughter reportedly died at a young age. Her death had a serious effect on Saroyan during his later marriage to Burnett. Her name, exact age, date of death, and cause of death have not been widely documented.
Education at UCLA
After moving to Los Angeles, Saroyan studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Reports describe him as being part of a graduate studies program, although the exact subject and degree are not clearly documented.
He was interested in singing, acting, theater, and directing. UCLA was also where he met the woman who would become his second wife.
How Don Saroyan Met Carol Burnett
Saroyan met Carol Burnett at UCLA in 1952. A mutual friend named Peggy McKenna reportedly introduced them.
They soon began dating. Both wanted careers in entertainment and spent time discussing theater, Broadway, and their plans for the future. One of the places they reportedly visited together was the Village Delicatessen in Westwood.
After their time at UCLA, they moved to New York to pursue opportunities in show business. Saroyan hoped to become a Broadway director, while Burnett was also trying to establish herself as a performer.
Don Saroyan and Carol Burnett’s Marriage
Saroyan and Burnett married in December 1955. The marriage came during an important period for both of their careers. Earlier that year, they had reportedly performed for entertainment professionals and secured representation from agents.
Their careers, however, developed differently. Burnett began finding greater success as a performer, while Saroyan struggled to achieve the career he had hoped for.
Personal difficulties also affected their marriage. Saroyan was reportedly deeply affected by the death of his daughter and became less focused on his entertainment ambitions.
Reports say Saroyan and Burnett decided to separate on Christmas Day in 1959. Burnett later described them as having begun to live separate lives rather than pointing to one major argument.
Some sources describe the marriage as ending in 1959, while others list 1962 as their divorce year. The safest timeline is that they separated in 1959 and their divorce was later finalized around 1962.
They did not have children together.
Who Is Carol Burnett?
Carol Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, and television personality. She became one of the best-known comedy performers on American television.
She is especially associated with The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978. Her work also included Broadway, films, television specials, and other acting projects.
After divorcing Saroyan, Burnett married television producer Joe Hamilton in 1963. They had three daughters, Carrie, Jody, and Erin Hamilton, before divorcing in 1984. Burnett later married musician Brian Miller in 2001.
Saroyan remained connected to Burnett’s story because he knew her before she reached the height of her fame.
Don Saroyan’s Acting Career
Saroyan pursued acting while also hoping to work in theater. His career never reached the level of Burnett’s, but he received several film and television credits.
One of his early television appearances came in Decoy in 1958, where he reportedly played a salesman.
His other reported credits include the 1959 film Cuban Rebel Girls and the 1961 crime film Blast of Silence.
He later appeared on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In during the 1970s. His later television work included Airwolf in 1986. He was also associated with The Magical World of Disney around the same period.
These were among his final on-screen appearances.
His Work Behind the Camera
Saroyan also worked behind the scenes in film and television.
Reports credit him as a production coordinator on more than 25 projects. This became an important part of his professional work even though he did not become widely known as an actor.
His original ambitions had included becoming a Broadway director, but much of his later entertainment career appears to have involved production work rather than major acting or directing roles.
Don Saroyan’s Relationship With Burnett After Their Divorce
The divorce between Saroyan and Burnett was reportedly amicable. Years later, Saroyan was interviewed for a book about Burnett’s life.
His participation suggested that the former couple did not completely cut ties after their marriage ended. He spoke about their early relationship and the difficult period when they were both trying to establish careers.
There is little reliable public information about Saroyan’s romantic life after Burnett. It is unclear whether he married again or had another long-term relationship.
Don Saroyan’s Net Worth
Don Saroyan’s personal net worth was not reliably reported.
Although he worked as an actor and production coordinator, there is not enough public financial information to provide a trustworthy estimate of his wealth.
Don Saroyan’s Death
Don Saroyan died on November 24, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. He was 62 years old.
His cause of death was not publicly disclosed in the available reports. He was reportedly buried in the Hollywood Hills area.
His death came more than three decades after his marriage to Burnett ended and several years after his final known acting appearances.
Interesting Fact
- Don Saroyan was born on October 4, 1928, in Omaha, Nebraska.
- His parents were Anna and Harvey Saroyan.
- He reportedly married for the first time at age 18.
- He had one daughter from his first marriage.
- He studied at UCLA.
- He met Carol Burnett through their mutual friend Peggy McKenna in 1952.
- Saroyan and Burnett married in December 1955.
- They reportedly separated in 1959 and later divorced around 1962.
- They had no children together.
- His acting credits included Cuban Rebel Girls, Blast of Silence, and Airwolf.
- He also worked as a production coordinator.
- He died in Los Angeles on November 24, 1990, at age 62.
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