Early Life and Education of Carol Burnett: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 25, 2025

An overview of the childhood and early education of Carol Burnett, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Carol Burnett is a highly acclaimed American comedian, actress, singer, and writer, best known for her groundbreaking comedy-variety series, The Carol Burnett Show. As one of the first women to host such a show, she made a significant impact on television history. Throughout her career, Burnett has showcased her talents on Broadway, television, and in film, earning numerous accolades, including Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. Her contributions to American humor have been further recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Mark Twain Prize, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

Sections (4)

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

April 26, 1933: Carol Burnett Born

On April 26, 1933, Carol Creighton Burnett was born in San Antonio, Texas. She is an American comedian, actress, singer, and writer.

1951: Graduation and Scholarship

In 1951, Carol Burnett graduated from Hollywood High School and received an anonymous $50 scholarship for UCLA.

1951: Fired from Warner Brothers Theater

In 1951, Carol Burnett was fired from her job as an usherette at the Warner Brothers Theater (now the Hollywood Pacific Theatre) for advising patrons to wait for the next showing of the film "Strangers on a Train" to avoid spoiling the ending.

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1954: Interest-Free Loan

In 1954, Carol Burnett received a $1,000 interest-free loan from a millionaire to pursue a career in musical comedy in New York.

1954: Assistance to Students in Financial Need

In keeping with her promise to the anonymous benefactor who assisted her in 1954, Carol Burnett has contributed to scholarship programs at UCLA and the University of Hawaii to help people in financial need.

December 15, 1955: Marriage to Don Saroyan

On December 15, 1955, Carol Burnett married her college sweetheart Don Saroyan.

January 10, 1958: Death of Burnett's Mother

On January 10, 1958, Carol Burnett's mother passed away.

1962: Divorce from Don Saroyan

In 1962, Carol Burnett divorced Don Saroyan.

1962: Produced Carnegie Hall Concert

Joe Hamilton produced Carol Burnett's 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.

May 4, 1963: Marriage to Joe Hamilton

On May 4, 1963, Carol Burnett married television producer Joe Hamilton.

1965: Miscarriage

In early 1965, Carol Burnett had a miscarriage while in her ninth week of pregnancy.

1984: Divorce from Joe Hamilton

In 1984, Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton divorced. Carrie's drug problems were cited as a contributing factor, but they used the opportunity to educate other parents and raise funds for Carrie's treatment clinic.

1988: Introduction of Alcoholics Anonymous in the Soviet Union

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

November 24, 2001: Marriage to Brian Miller

On November 24, 2001, Carol Burnett married Brian Miller, who is 23 years younger than her.

August 2020: Petition for Guardianship of Grandson

In August 2020, Carol Burnett and her husband filed for guardianship of her teenage grandson, Dylan, for whom Burnett already held educational rights.

September 2020: Temporary Guardianship of Grandson

In September 2020, Carol Burnett and her husband were granted temporary guardianship of her grandson, Dylan.

November 2021: Guardianship Role Assumed by Case Worker

In November 2021, the temporary guardianship of Carol Burnett's grandson, Dylan, was assumed by Dylan's case worker.

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

On April 26, 2023, Carol Burnett was honored for her roles in music, film, television, and theater by her friends and fellow actors and singers on her 90th birthday in the NBC special Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love.