The Untold Truth About Don Saroyan and Carol Burnett’s Marriage

Carol Burnett is a name everyone knows. She’s a comedy icon, a Broadway star, and a true Hollywood legend. But not many people know about the man who stood beside her in the very beginning — Don Saroyan.

Before Carol became famous, she shared her life and dreams with Don. They were young, full of hope, and deeply in love. Their story started with big dreams but ended in quiet heartbreak. This article will tell you the full story — the truth about Don Saroyan, his marriage to Carol Burnett, and the life they built and lost.

Don Saroyan Quick Bio

Who Was Don Saroyan?

Don Saroyan was born on October 4, 1928, in Omaha, Nebraska. His early life was not easy. He lost his brother just a few months after he was born. Then his mother passed away. Later, his father also died when Don was still in his 20s. These early losses left deep scars.

Don got married for the first time when he was only 18 years old. He and his wife had a daughter, and he loved her very much. But sadly, that marriage didn’t last. After they separated, his wife moved away with their child. This was another painful moment in Don’s life.

Later, Don moved to Los Angeles with big dreams. He wanted to be a singer and actor. He joined a graduate program at UCLA, hoping it would lead him to success. This move changed everything, especially when he met a girl named Carol Burnett.

When Carol Burnett Met Don Saroyan

Don met Carol Burnett at UCLA in 1952. A mutual friend introduced them, and they quickly became close. They had so much in common. Both of them loved acting. Both of them dreamed of being on Broadway. And both of them came from tough backgrounds. Maybe that’s why they connected so fast.

Don used to say Carol was a “brave soul going through a struggle.” She had big dreams but very little money. Don understood that, because he had been through a lot too.

Their favorite place to hang out was a small deli in Westwood called Village Delicatessen. They would sit there for hours, talking about theater, life, and the future they hoped to build together. It was a simple time, full of hope and love.

Dating Days and Dreams of Broadway

Don and Carol were like any young couple with a dream. They weren’t rich. They didn’t have connections. But they believed in each other. They wanted to go to New York and try to make it on Broadway. The only problem? They didn’t have enough money to go.

That’s when something amazing happened.

A kind man — a total stranger — gave both Don and Carol $1,000 interest-free loans. His only condition was that they had to pay him back in five years. That loan was a miracle. Thanks to that man’s kindness, Don and Carol left college and moved to New York. They went after their dreams, together.

Isn’t it wild how one act of kindness can change two lives?

Their Wedding and Early Marriage Life

In December 1955, Don and Carol got married. It was a happy time. Their careers were just getting started. They had just signed with agents. They were full of ideas and passion. Life looked bright.

They worked hard on their dream. Early in 1955, they even created a live show to showcase their talent. They invited big-time producers to see them perform. It worked. People were impressed. For a while, things felt like they were moving in the right direction.

Don and Carol were not just husband and wife — they were partners in every way. They shared scripts, talked about theater, and supported each other. Many people thought they were the perfect couple.

But even the perfect love stories can have cracks.

Don Saroyan’s Career in Acting and TV

Don did get a few roles in TV and film. His first appearance was in 1958 on a show called Decoy, where he played a salesman. He went on to appear in shows like The Fugitive, McHale’s Navy, Occasional Wife, and Airwolf. He even had a small role in The Magical World of Disney.

He also worked behind the scenes. Don became a production coordinator on over 25 shows. He was an associate producer on RCA’s Opening Night and worked on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, which was a huge show in its time.

But even with all that work, Don never became a star. While Carol’s fame kept growing, Don’s career started to slow down. And that gap between their lives only got wider.

Carol Burnett’s Quick Rise to Fame

While Don was struggling to land steady roles, Carol Burnett’s career was booming. She got noticed quickly for her talent, charm, and perfect timing. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, she was becoming a household name.

She got major roles on TV and even appeared on Broadway. Eventually, she got her own show — The Carol Burnett Show — which would become a classic.

Don loved Carol and supported her, but her rising fame made things hard. Suddenly, everyone knew Carol’s name — but few knew Don’s. That kind of imbalance can be tough in any marriage.

The Tragedy That Shook Their Marriage

Things started to fall apart when Don Saroyan faced a personal tragedy. His daughter from his first marriage passed away. Losing a child is one of the hardest things anyone can go through. It changed Don deeply.

After that, Don became quiet. He lost some of the spark he once had. He didn’t feel the same passion for acting or show business. Meanwhile, Carol was moving forward at full speed. Her shows, performances, and success kept growing. That created distance between them.

They were once partners chasing the same dream. But now, they were living two very different lives.

Why Their Marriage Fell Apart

By 1959, things between Don Saroyan and Carol Burnett had changed. They were no longer moving in the same direction. Don was dealing with grief and disappointment. Carol was focused on her growing career.

On Christmas Day in 1959, they decided to separate. There was no big fight or drama. As Carol once said, they were simply “living parallel lives.” It was a quiet end to a beautiful beginning.

Their divorce became official in 1962, in Las Vegas. Carol was there with her lawyer. The marriage had lasted nearly seven years. They had no children together. Though they separated, there was still respect between them.

Don Saroyan’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Don Saroyan stayed in the entertainment world. He didn’t become a star, but he continued working. He took on behind-the-scenes jobs in TV shows and productions. His last known roles were in 1986, in Airwolf and The Magical World of Disney.

He lived a quiet life. There are very few public records or interviews about his personal life after Carol. But we do know that he stayed kind. Years later, when someone wrote a book about Carol Burnett’s life, Don shared stories and kind words. He still spoke of her with care.

Even though they had gone their separate ways, he never tried to bring drama or seek attention. He stayed in the background, living with dignity.

Don Saroyan’s Death and Final Days

Don Saroyan passed away on November 24, 1990, in Los Angeles County, California. He was 62 years old. His cause of death was never shared with the public.

He was buried in Hollywood Hills, the city where he once chased his dreams. There were no big headlines or news stories about his death. But to those who knew him, Don left behind quiet memories of kindness, creativity, and heart.

He may not have become famous like Carol, but he was part of her story — and a very important part of it.

Carol Burnett Moved On but Never Forgot

After Don, Carol Burnett married Joe Hamilton, a TV producer. They had three daughters: Carrie, Jody, and Erin. Sadly, Carrie passed away at age 38 from lung cancer. Carol later married Brian Miller in 2001. He is a drummer and much younger than her, but they’ve had a strong, loving marriage.

Carol’s career kept growing. She became a legend. She won 6 Emmys, 7 Golden Globes, a Grammy, a Tony, and even the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2024, she had her hand and footprints placed outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Brian Miller was there with her, still supporting her every step of the way.

But even with all that success, she never forgot her past. And Don Saroyan will always be part of it.

It’s easy to forget people like Don Saroyan. He didn’t become rich or famous. He didn’t have a hit show or a Hollywood star. But he mattered.

He loved deeply. He supported Carol when she had nothing. He helped her believe in herself. He gave everything he had during their early days, even if the world doesn’t talk about it much.

Sometimes, the people behind the scenes play the biggest roles in shaping someone’s future. Don Saroyan was one of those people. His name might not be well-known today, but his impact still echoes through Carol Burnett’s legendary story.

Final Thoughts

Don Saroyan is more than just Carol Burnett’s ex-husband. He was a dreamer, a fighter, and a kind soul who stood beside one of the greatest performers of all time. His story is full of love, loss, and quiet strength.

While Carol went on to shine in the spotlight, Don helped build the stage. And that, too, deserves to be remembered.

Let his story remind us that even if the world forgets your name, your love, your support, and your journey still matter.

(FAQs)

Who were Carol Burnett’s husbands?

Carol Burnett has been married three times. Her first husband was Don Saroyan (1955–1962), her second was Joe Hamilton (1963–1984), and she has been married to Brian Miller since 2001, who is over 20 years younger than her!

What was the cause of Don Saroyan’s death?

Shockingly, Don Saroyan’s cause of death was never made public. He passed away in 1990 at age 62, and no official reason was shared, adding mystery to his quiet life after Hollywood.

Was Don Saroyan Armenian?

Despite the surname “Saroyan” being strongly Armenian, Don Saroyan’s ethnicity was never clearly confirmed. It’s unknown if he was related to the famous Armenian-American writer William Saroyan, though many people still wonder.

What did Don Saroyan’s obituary say?

Very little was revealed in Don Saroyan’s obituary. It noted his quiet career in film and TV, his connection to Carol Burnett, and his death in Los Angeles in 1990, but left out personal details and the cause of death.

What was Don Saroyan’s ethnicity?

Don Saroyan’s exact ethnicity is still unknown. Many assume he was Armenian because of his name, but no official source ever confirmed his heritage.

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