Career Timeline of Carol Burnett: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Carol Burnett made an impact.

Carol Burnett is an acclaimed American comedian, actress, and singer, best known for hosting The Carol Burnett Show, a groundbreaking comedy-variety series. Her successful career spans Broadway, television, and film, showcasing her versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. Burnett's contributions to entertainment have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. She has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, solidifying her legacy as a comedic icon.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1954: Promise Fulfilled

In 1954, Carol Burnett contributed to scholarship programs at UCLA and the University of Hawaii, fulfilling her promise to the anonymous benefactor who assisted her.

1962: Produced Carnegie Hall concert

In 1962, Joe Hamilton produced her Carnegie Hall concert.

September 1967: Debut of The Carol Burnett Show

In September 1967, The Carol Burnett Show premiered after Burnett exercised a stipulation in her contract with CBS. The hour-long music/comedy variety show was born and eventually garnered 23 Emmy Awards.

November 10, 1969: Sesame Street Appearance

On November 10, 1969, Carol Burnett became the first celebrity to appear on the children's series Sesame Street, marking her presence in the inaugural episode.

1972: Starring in "Pete 'n' Tillie"

In 1972, Carol Burnett starred in a few films while her variety show was running, including Pete 'n' Tillie.

1974: Appearance in "I Do! I Do!"

In 1974, Carol Burnett appeared at the Muny Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, in "I Do! I Do!" alongside Rock Hudson, marking one of her occasional returns to the stage during the 1970s and 1980s.

1974: Nominated for an Emmy for "6 Rms Riv Vu" and starring in The Front Page

In 1974, Carol Burnett starred in the film "The Front Page" and was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the drama "6 Rms Riv Vu".

1977: Syndication of Carol Burnett and Friends

Beginning in 1977, the comedy sketches of her series were edited into half-hour episodes for syndication entitled "Carol Burnett and Friends", proving extremely popular for many years.

1978: Appearance in A Wedding

In 1978, Carol Burnett appeared in Robert Altman's comedy-drama A Wedding, taking on roles that departed from her usual comedy performances.

1978: End of Production for "The Carol Burnett Show"

In 1978, production ceased for "The Carol Burnett Show", marking the end of its original run.

1979: Airing of Carol Burnett & Company

In the summer of 1979, four post-script episodes of "The Carol Burnett Show" were produced and aired on ABC under the title "Carol Burnett & Company".

1981: Appearance in The Four Seasons

In 1981, Carol Burnett appeared in Alan Alda's romantic comedy "The Four Seasons", continuing to explore roles outside of her traditional comedic work.

1982: Appearance in Annie

In 1982, Carol Burnett appeared in John Huston's musical film "Annie", furthering her departure into more diverse film roles.

1983: Created Role of Verla Grubbs on All My Children

In 1983, Agnes Nixon created the role of Verla Grubbs for Carol Burnett on All My Children, allowing Burnett to realize a long-held dream of being on the soap opera.

1985: Appearance in Follies

In 1985, Carol Burnett took on the supporting role of Carlotta Campion in the concert performance of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies".

1986: One More Time Publication

In 1986, Carol Burnett's bestselling memoir, One More Time, was published, offering insights into her life and career.

1987: Starred in Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin

In 1987, Carol Burnett starred in a variety sketch special, Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin, alongside Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams. That same year she starred in the TV movie Plaza Suite with Dabney Coleman and Hal Holbrook.

1988: Trip to Moscow for Alcoholics Anonymous

In 1988, Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie traveled to Moscow to help introduce the first Alcoholics Anonymous branch in the Soviet Union.

1990: Return to Television with Carol & Company

From 1990 to 1991, Carol Burnett returned to television with the comedy series Carol & Company.

1991: Carol & Company ended

In 1991, Carol & Company ended.

1992: Appearance in Noises Off

In 1992, Carol Burnett appeared in Peter Bogdanovich's comedy "Noises Off", marking a return to comedic roles after several dramatic performances.

1992: Guest Starred on The Larry Sanders Show and Mad About You

In 1992, Carol Burnett guest starred as herself in The Larry Sanders Show and in the sitcom Mad About You, playing Theresa Stemple, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

1994: Starred in Seasons of the Heart

In 1994, Carol Burnett starred in television films such as Seasons of the Heart.

1995: Hosted All My Children 25th Anniversary Special

In 1995, Carol Burnett hosted a 25th-anniversary special about the show "All My Children".

1995: Return to Broadway in Moon Over Buffalo

In 1995, after a 30-year absence, Carol Burnett returned to Broadway in "Moon Over Buffalo", for which she received a Tony Award nomination.

1998: Hollywood Arms Development

In 1998, the play Hollywood Arms, co-written by Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton, was developed at the Sundance Theatre Lab.

2001: First Voice Role in The Trumpet of the Swan

In 2001, Carol Burnett had her first voice role in "The Trumpet of the Swan", marking a new avenue in her career.

2002: Hollywood Arms on Broadway

In 2002, Hollywood Arms, a play co-written by Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton, based on Burnett's memoir, premiered on Broadway.

January 5, 2005: Cameo Appearance on All My Children

On January 5, 2005, Carol Burnett made a brief cameo appearance as Verla Grubbs on All My Children, which celebrated the show's 35th anniversary.

2005: Starred in Once Upon a Mattress

In 2005, Carol Burnett returned to film to star in a different role as Queen Aggravain in the movie version of Once Upon a Mattress.

2008: Animated Role in Horton Hears a Who!

In 2008, Carol Burnett had her second role as an animated character in the film Horton Hears a Who!

2009: Guest Appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

In 2009, Carol Burnett made a guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award.

November 2010: Guest Appearance on Glee

In November 2010, Carol Burnett guest-starred on an episode of Glee as the mother of cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester.

September 2011: Reprised Role as Verla Grubbs

In September 2011, Carol Burnett reprised her role as Verla Grubbs in the series finale of All My Children.

2012: Voice Role in The Secret World of Arrietty

In 2012, Carol Burnett had another voice role as the character Hara in the US Disney-dubbed version of The Secret World of Arrietty.

2013: Hawaii Five-0 Appearance

From 2013, Carol Burnett appeared on the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 as Steve McGarrett's Aunt Debbie. Her appearances, traditionally on Thanksgiving-themed episodes, were featured.

2014: Broadway in A. R. Gurney's Love Letters

In 2014, Carol Burnett joined Brian Dennehy on Broadway in A. R. Gurney's Love Letters.

January 2015: Airing on MeTV

In January 2015, "The Carol Burnett Show" began airing on MeTV.

2015: Hollywood Arms Staging

In 2015, Hollywood Arms received a staging at New York's Merkin Concert Hall, continuing its theatrical presence.

January 15, 2016: Character Death in Hawaii Five-0

On January 15, 2016, Carol Burnett's character, Aunt Debbie, died of cancer in an episode of the reboot of Hawaii Five-0.

2017: The Carol Burnett Show: 50th Anniversary Special Aired

In 2017, CBS aired "The Carol Burnett Show: 50th Anniversary Special," featuring Burnett, original cast members, costume designer Bob Mackie, and special guests, commemorating her groundbreaking work in comedy.

2019: Voice Role in Toy Story 4

In 2019, Carol Burnett voiced a talking chair, named Chairol Burnett, in Toy Story 4.

June 2022: Guest Starring in Better Call Saul

In June 2022, Carol Burnett guest starred in the second half of the sixth and final season of the American drama series Better Call Saul.

June 27, 2022: Announcement of Better Call Saul Role

On June 27, 2022, AMC announced that Carol Burnett would portray a character named "Marion" in the second half of the sixth season of Better Call Saul.

April 26, 2023: Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love

On April 26, 2023, Carol Burnett was honored for her music, film, television, and theater roles on her 90th birthday in the NBC special Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love, which was filmed at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre

March 2024: Co-starring in Palm Royale

In March 2024, Carol Burnett co-starred alongside Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, and Laura Dern in the Apple TV+ comedy series Palm Royale.

2024: Primetime Emmy Nomination at 91

In 2024, at age 91, Carol Burnett became the oldest nominee for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, for her work in Palm Royale.