Art Carney was more than just an actor. He was a talented man who was proficient in both acting and comedy. Winning the hearts of millions, he was a prominent name in the entertainment industry.
Most people remember him as Ed Norton on the popular sitcom Honeymooners. But his career stretched far beyond that role as he appeared in several other projects, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, etc. He also won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including a Golden Globe, an Academy Award, and six Primetime Emmy awards.
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Early Life
Art Carney’s full name was Arthur William Matthew Carney and he was born on 4th November 1918, in Mount Vernon, New York. He was the youngest of six children in a large Irish-American family, where his father, Edward Michael Carney worked as a newspaper man, and his mother, Helen Farrell Carney was a homemaker.
As far his education is concerned, Carney did his schooling from A.B. Davis High School, before getting drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a machine gun crewman and infantryman during World War II, which completely changed his life as he got wounded in the leg during the Battle of Normandy.
Beginning of Career
After the war, Carney returned to America and began his career in radio. With his talent for voice acting, it didn’t take him much time to find a job. He started with a radio program Pot O’ Gold that gained him significant attention.
Although television was still new at the time, Carney transitioned into it smoothly. He had the charm and energy that worked perfectly on screen that led to a progressive career in the field.
Shot to Fame
Art Carney rose to fame in 1955, when he debuted in The Honeymooners. There, he played the character Ed Norton, a sewer worker and the best friend of Ralph Kramden, played by Gleason. His work on the sitcom turned out to be a turning point in his career as he was appreciated by both fans and critics. His performance was so good that he won multiple Emmy Awards for the role. Even today, fans remember lines and moments from the show, proving its lasting impact.
However, Carney didn’t stop there. In 1974, he surprised everyone by winning an Academy Award for Best Actor in Harry and Tonto. Later, he appeared in various movies, including Going In Style, The Late Show House Calls, Firestarter, and others.
Relationship
Talking about Art Carney’s personal life, it was a complicated one. He got married three times to two women. His first wife was his high school love, Jean Myers, with whom he had three children. However, their marriage didn’t last forever and ended in divorce. Following that, he married Barabara Isaac in 1966, but divorced in 1977.
In 1980, Carney remarried Jean and stayed with her till he passed away on 9th November 2003, in Chester, Connecticut.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
Art Carney earned most of his income through his work in television and film. His role as Ed Norton brought him national fame and significant earnings. In addition to that, he did some theatre work and voice acting, which further boosted his career. At the time of his death, Art Carney’s net worth was estimated at $16 million.
