Actor Art Carney is dead at age 85

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Actor Art Carney, who initially gained international fame as sewer worker Ed Norton on the 1950s television show "The Honeymooners," has died at the age of 85.

The Los Angeles Times said Carney's family declined to specify the illness that took his life, but CNN said it learned Carney died Sunday at his Connecticut home.

The family announced the death Tuesday, following a private burial.

Arthur William Matthew Carney was born Nov. 4, 1918, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., the youngest of six sons of Edward and Helen Carney.

Carney, who initially worked with such comedians as Fred Allen, Edgar Bergen and Bert Lahr, joined "The Honeymooners" with the first show in 1950.

Carney also appeared in more than 25 films and in several Broadway plays. He created the role of Felix Unger in the original Broadway version of "The Odd Couple."

He also appeared on numerous television programs, including "Studio One," "Omnibus," "The Sid Caesar Show," "The Carol Burnett Show," and "The Tonight Show."

Carney won an Oscar in 1974 for his dramatic role in the movie "Harry and Tonto" and won Emmys in 1953, 1954 and 1955 for best supporting actor as Ed Norton. He added other Emmys in 1960 and 1968 for humor and individual achievement.