Actress and comedian Carol Burnett received the Harvey Award Friday night, courtesy of the James M. Stewart Museum Foundation.
Named after Stewart’s classic 1950 film “Harvey” — which tells the tale of a man (Stewart) and his best pal, an invisible six-foot tall rabbit — the award is bestowed each year to a well-respected entertainer with close ties to the foundation’s namesake.
“I saw this long, tall drink of water up there in black and white and I said, ‘He’s my friend. I know him,’” Burnett told The Associated Press before receiving the award. “And it came to pass.”
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The 81-year-old multiple Emmy-winner was presented the prize during a fundraiser for the museum in Pennsylvania, and spoke effusively about the legendary actor, who had a big impact on Burnett’s life.
“I have talked about him, I have worshiped him,” Burnett said. “I just loved Jimmy Stewart.”
And that love was returned. Stewart once surprised Burnett by appearing as a surprise guest in the final episode of “The Carol Burnett Show,” which concluded its run in 1978. Stewart died in 1997.
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Past recipients of the Harvey Award include Janet Leigh, Ernest Borgnine and Rich Little.