Carol Burnett is a celebrated American entertainer known for her comedic talent, acting prowess, and singing abilities. Her groundbreaking variety show, "The Carol Burnett Show," broke barriers as one of the first female-hosted shows of its kind. Burnett's diverse career spans Broadway, television, and film, showcasing her versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. Her exceptional talent has garnered numerous awards, including Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, and Golden Globes. She has also been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
1918: Death of Maternal Grandfather
Carol Burnett's maternal grandfather, William Henry Creighton, passed away in 1918.
April 26, 1933: Birth of Carol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett was born on April 26, 1933, at Nix Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
1951: Graduation from Hollywood High School and Start at UCLA
Carol Burnett graduated from Hollywood High School in 1951 and began her studies at UCLA, initially intending to pursue journalism before switching to theater arts and English.
1951: Fired from Usherette Job
In 1951, Carol Burnett was fired from her usherette job at the Warner Brothers Theater for advising patrons arriving late to a screening of "Strangers on a Train" to wait for the next showing.
1954: Loan for New York Move and Father's Death
In 1954, Carol Burnett received a loan that enabled her to move to New York to pursue an acting career. In the same year, her father passed away due to complications related to alcoholism.
1954: Scholarship Contributions
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.
March 3, 1955: The Rehearsal Club Revue
On March 3, 1955, Carol Burnett participated in "The Rehearsal Club Revue," a performance that helped open doors for her and other aspiring actresses living at the Rehearsal Club.
December 15, 1955: Marriage to Don Saroyan
Carol Burnett married her college sweetheart, Don Saroyan, on December 15, 1955.
1955: Role on "The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show"
Carol Burnett landed a minor role on "The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show" in 1955, playing the girlfriend of a ventriloquist's dummy.
1956: Starring Role in "Stanley"
Carol Burnett starred alongside Buddy Hackett in the sitcom "Stanley," which ran from 1956 to 1957.
1957: Television Debut and Dulles Parody
In 1957, Carol Burnett made notable appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show," performing her popular parody number "I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles," which even garnered attention from the then-Secretary of State himself.
1957: End of "Stanley"
The sitcom "Stanley," starring Carol Burnett and Buddy Hackett, concluded its run in 1957.
January 10, 1958: Carol Burnett's Mother Passes Away
On January 10, 1958, amidst her growing success in New York's cabaret and nightclub scene, Carol Burnett faced the loss of her mother.
1959: Meeting Lucille Ball
In 1959, Carol Burnett's path crossed with comedy legend Lucille Ball, who became a close friend and mentor.
1959: Broadway Debut and Tony Nomination
In 1959, Carol Burnett made her mark on Broadway with her performance in the musical "Once Upon a Mattress," which earned her a Tony Award nomination. This year also marked the start of her regular role on "The Garry Moore Show."
1959: Broadway Debut in "Once Upon a Mattress"
Carol Burnett made her Broadway debut in 1959 in "Once Upon a Mattress," receiving a Tony Award nomination for her performance.
October 1960: Discovery at the Blue Angel Supper Club
In October 1960, Burnett's performances at New York City's Blue Angel Supper Club caught the attention of scouts from influential television programs like "The Jack Paar Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show," marking a pivotal moment in her career.
1962: Divorce from Don Saroyan
Carol Burnett and Don Saroyan divorced in 1962.
1962: First Emmy Award
Carol Burnett won her first Emmy Award in 1962 for her work on "The Garry Moore Show."
1962: Carnegie Hall Concert
In 1962, Carol Burnett performed a concert at Carnegie Hall, produced by her future husband Joe Hamilton.
1962: Emmy Win and "Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall"
In 1962, Carol Burnett's success continued to soar as she won an Emmy Award for her work on "The Garry Moore Show." This same year, she shared the stage with Julie Andrews in the acclaimed special "Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall," which earned both critical acclaim and an Emmy Award.
May 4, 1963: Marriage to Joe Hamilton
On May 4, 1963, Carol Burnett married television producer Joe Hamilton, a divorced father of eight.
1963: Film Debut in "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?"
Carol Burnett made her feature film debut in 1963, starring alongside Dean Martin and Elizabeth Montgomery in the comedy "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?" Despite the star-studded cast, Burnett later expressed dissatisfaction with her performance in the film.
1964: Broadway Injury and "The Entertainers"
In 1964, Carol Burnett was set to star in the Broadway musical "Fade Out – Fade In" but suffered a neck injury in a taxi accident, leading to her withdrawal. Although she returned to the show later, she ultimately withdrew again to participate in the variety show "The Entertainers" alongside Caterina Valente and Bob Newhart. This decision led to a lawsuit from the "Fade Out – Fade In" producers, which was eventually dropped.
1965: Miscarriage
Carol Burnett experienced a miscarriage in her ninth week of pregnancy in early 1965.
1966: Guest Appearance on "Get Smart"
In 1966, Carol Burnett showcased her comedic versatility by guest starring in an episode of the popular spy comedy series "Get Smart," created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry.
1966: Guest Appearance on "The Lucy Show"
In 1966, after guesting on Carol Burnett's successful CBS special "Carol + 2," Lucille Ball reciprocated by having Burnett appear on her show, "The Lucy Show."
September 1967: The Carol Burnett Show Premieres
In September 1967, "The Carol Burnett Show" premiered, marking a significant turning point in Burnett's career. Despite initial reluctance from the network, who believed only men could succeed in the variety format, Burnett's contractual stipulation paved the way for her to create the iconic show.
1967: Premiere of "The Carol Burnett Show"
"The Carol Burnett Show" premiered on CBS television in 1967, marking the beginning of its successful 11-year run.
1967: Death of Maternal Grandmother
Carol Burnett's maternal grandmother, Mabel Eudora "Mae" Jones, passed away in 1967.
1967: Continued Success and Rumors of Sitcom Offer
In 1967, with Burnett's career flourishing, rumors circulated about Lucille Ball offering her a chance to star in her own sitcom. While the details of the offer remain unclear, Burnett did decline CBS's offer for "Here's Agnes" during this time.
November 10, 1969: First Celebrity Guest on "Sesame Street"
On November 10, 1969, Carol Burnett made history by becoming the first celebrity to appear on the children's educational program "Sesame Street," further solidifying her widespread appeal.
1972: Film Debut in "Pete 'n' Tillie"
Carol Burnett appeared in the film "Pete 'n' Tillie" in 1972.
1972: Starring in "Pete 'n' Tillie"
In 1972, while "The Carol Burnett Show" continued its successful run, Burnett took on the starring role in the film "Pete 'n' Tillie."
1974: Starring in "The Front Page" and Emmy Nomination for "6 Rms Riv Vu"
1974 was a busy year for Carol Burnett. She starred in the film "The Front Page" and earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in the drama "6 Rms Riv Vu," demonstrating her ability to excel in dramatic roles.
1974: Film Roles in "The Front Page" and "6 Rms Riv Vu"
Carol Burnett had roles in two films in 1974: "The Front Page" and "6 Rms Riv Vu."
1974: Stage Appearance in "I Do! I Do!"
In 1974, Carol Burnett returned to the stage, co-starring with Rock Hudson in the musical "I Do! I Do!" at the Muny Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri.
1976: False Report in The National Enquirer
In 1976, The National Enquirer published a false report implying that Carol Burnett had been drunk and boisterous in public at a restaurant with U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in attendance.
1977: Syndicated Comedy Sketches as "Carol Burnett and Friends"
Beginning in 1977, comedy sketches from "The Carol Burnett Show" were edited into half-hour episodes and syndicated under the title "Carol Burnett and Friends." These syndicated episodes proved incredibly popular and introduced her work to a new generation of viewers.
1978: Film Role in "A Wedding"
Carol Burnett acted in the film "A Wedding" in 1978.
1978: The End of "The Carol Burnett Show"
In 1978, after a remarkable run of success and critical acclaim, "The Carol Burnett Show" ceased production, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of television comedy.
1978: Exploring Dramatic Roles in "A Wedding"
After the conclusion of her variety show, Carol Burnett began to embrace a wider range of acting roles, including a part in Robert Altman's comedy-drama "A Wedding" in 1978.
1978: End of "The Carol Burnett Show"
After 11 years on air, "The Carol Burnett Show" concluded its run on CBS television in 1978.
1979: Role in the drama "Friendly Fire"
Carol Burnett acted in the drama "Friendly Fire" in 1979.
1979: Post-Script Episodes Air as "Carol Burnett & Company"
During the summer of 1979, four post-script episodes, produced under the title "Carol Burnett & Company," aired on ABC. These episodes aimed to recapture the essence of "The Carol Burnett Show" and featured much of the original cast.
1981: Libel Lawsuit Victory
Carol Burnett won a libel lawsuit against The National Enquirer in 1981 for the false report published in 1976.
1981: Film Role in "The Four Seasons"
In 1981, Carol Burnett appeared in the film "The Four Seasons."
1981: Starring in "The Four Seasons"
In 1981, Carol Burnett starred in Alan Alda's romantic comedy "The Four Seasons," further showcasing her talent for navigating diverse genres.
1982: Film Role in "Annie"
Carol Burnett was part of the cast of the film "Annie" in 1982.
1982: Appearing in "Annie"
In 1982, Carol Burnett joined the cast of John Huston's musical film adaptation of "Annie."
1983: Debut as Verla Grubbs
In 1983, Carol Burnett fulfilled a dream by playing Verla Grubbs on the soap opera "All My Children," a role created for her by Agnes Nixon.
1984: Divorce from Joe Hamilton
Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton divorced in 1984, partly due to the challenges of coping with their daughter Carrie's drug problems.
1985: Supporting Role in Stephen Sondheim's "Follies"
In 1985, Carol Burnett took on the supporting role of Carlotta Campion in the concert performance of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Follies."
1986: Publication of "One More Time"
Carol Burnett published her bestselling memoir, "One More Time", in 1986.
1986: Publication of "One More Time"
Carol Burnett published her memoir titled "One More Time" in 1986.
1987: Television Specials and Movie
In 1987, Carol Burnett starred in a variety special alongside Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams, titled "Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin." The same year, she also appeared 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.
1989: Lucille Ball's Passing
The year 1989 brought the sad news of Lucille Ball's passing. Burnett, who remained close friends with Ball until her death, received a final birthday message from Ball that arrived on the same day she learned of her passing.
1990: "Carol & Company" Premiere
Carol Burnett returned to television with the comedy series "Carol & Company," which premiered in 1990.
1991: Death of Joe Hamilton
Joe Hamilton, Carol Burnett's ex-husband, died of cancer in 1991.
1991: "Carol & Company" Ends
The comedy series "Carol & Company," starring Carol Burnett, concluded its run in 1991.
1992: Film Role in "Noises Off"
Carol Burnett acted in the film "Noises Off" in 1992.
1992: Guest Appearances and Emmy Win
Carol Burnett made guest appearances on "The Larry Sanders Show" and "Mad About You" in 1992. Her role as Theresa Stemple on "Mad About You" earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
1992: Comedy Role in "Noises Off"
In 1992, Carol Burnett displayed her comedic timing once again in Peter Bogdanovich's comedy "Noises Off."
1994: "Seasons of the Heart"
Carol Burnett starred in the television film "Seasons of the Heart" in 1994.
1995: Broadway Return in "Moon Over Buffalo"
After a 30-year hiatus, Carol Burnett returned to Broadway in 1995 for her role in "Moon Over Buffalo," which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play.
1995: "All My Children" 25th Anniversary Special
Carol Burnett hosted a special in 1995 celebrating the 25th anniversary of the soap opera "All My Children."
1995: Return to Broadway in "Moon Over Buffalo"
Carol Burnett returned to Broadway in 1995 for the play "Moon Over Buffalo," which earned her another Tony Award nomination.
1998: Sundance Theatre Lab Workshop
"Hollywood Arms" was developed at the 1998 Sundance Theatre Lab.
November 24, 2001: Marriage to Brian Miller
On November 24, 2001, Carol Burnett married drummer Brian Miller, who is 23 years her junior.
2001: Voice Acting Debut in "The Trumpet of the Swan"
Carol Burnett made her voice acting debut in 2001 as a character in the animated film "The Trumpet of the Swan."
2001: Highly Viewed Retrospective Special
In 2001, a retrospective special featuring outtakes, cast discussions, and a tribute to costume designer Bob Mackie drew a remarkable 30 million viewers, highlighting the enduring popularity of "The Carol Burnett Show" and its cast.
2002: Premiere of "Hollywood Arms"
"Hollywood Arms", a play co-written by Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton, premiered in 2002.
2003: Kennedy Center Honor
Carol Burnett was honored with the Kennedy Center Honor in 2003.
2003: Tony Award for Michele Pawk
Michele Pawk won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her role in "Hollywood Arms".
January 5, 2005: "All My Children" 35th Anniversary Cameo
On January 5, 2005, Carol Burnett made a cameo appearance as Verla Grubbs in an episode of "All My Children" to celebrate the show's 35th anniversary.
2005: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Carol Burnett received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2005.
2005: Queen Aggravain in "Once Upon a Mattress"
Carol Burnett returned to film in 2005 to star as Queen Aggravain in the film adaptation of "Once Upon a Mattress."
2005: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Carol Burnett was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
2006: "Peterotica" Episode of "Family Guy"
The "Peterotica" episode of "Family Guy" aired in 2006, featuring an animated likeness of Carol Burnett.
2007: Lawsuit against 20th Century Fox
In 2007, Carol Burnett and Whacko, Inc. filed a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox for using her likeness in the animated sitcom "Family Guy."
2008: Voice Role in "Horton Hears a Who!"
Carol Burnett lent her voice to the animated film "Horton Hears a Who!" in 2008.
2008: Voice Role in "Horton Hears a Who!"
In 2008, Carol Burnett lent her voice to an animated character in the film "Horton Hears a Who!"
2009: Guest Role and Emmy Nomination
Carol Burnett made a guest appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in 2009, which earned her an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
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: "All My Children" Finale Appearance
Carol Burnett reprised her role as Verla Grubbs in the series finale of "All My Children" in September 2011.
2012: Voice Acting in "The Secret World of Arrietty"
Carol Burnett provided the voice for the character Hara in the US Disney-dubbed version of "The Secret World of Arrietty" in 2012.
2013: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Carol Burnett received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2013.
2013: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Carol Burnett was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2013.
2013: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
In 2013, Carol Burnett was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center. Friends and collaborators, including Julie Andrews, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rashida Jones, and Martin Short, were present to celebrate her achievement.
2013: Recurring Role as Aunt Debbie
Starting in 2013, Carol Burnett took on a recurring role as Steve McGarrett's Aunt Debbie on the rebooted "Hawaii Five-0." Her appearances often coincided with Thanksgiving-themed episodes.
2013: Mark Twain Award Ceremony
Vicki Lawrence gave a testimonial speech about her close friendship with Carol Burnett during Burnett's Mark Twain Award ceremony in Washington, D.C., in 2013.
2014: Broadway Debut in "Love Letters"
Carol Burnett made her Broadway debut alongside Brian Dennehy in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" in 2014.
January 2015: "Carol Burnett and Friends" Airs on MeTV
In January 2015, "Carol Burnett and Friends" found new life on the digital platform MeTV, continuing to entertain audiences and solidifying the enduring appeal of her comedic work.
2015: Staging of "Hollywood Arms" at Merkin Concert Hall
"Hollywood Arms" was staged at New York's Merkin Concert Hall in 2015.
2015: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
Carol Burnett was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2015.
January 15, 2016: Aunt Debbie's Farewell on "Hawaii Five-0"
The character of Aunt Debbie, played by Carol Burnett on "Hawaii Five-0," passed away from cancer in the episode aired on January 15, 2016.
2017: "The Carol Burnett Show: 50th Anniversary Special"
CBS aired "The Carol Burnett Show: 50th Anniversary Special" in 2017. The special featured Carol Burnett herself, original cast members Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner, costume designer Bob Mackie, and guest stars such as Jim Carrey, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Colbert, Harry Connick Jr., Bill Hader, Jay Leno, Jane Lynch, Bernadette Peters, Maya Rudolph, and Martin Short. During the special, Burnett addressed the challenges she faced as a woman in comedy, stating: "They said it was a man's game—Sid Caesar, Dean Martin, Milton Berle—because it hadn't been done. But that doesn't mean it couldn't be done."
2019: Carol Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award for Television
In 2019, Carol Burnett became the first recipient of the Carol Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award for Television, named in her honor.
2019: Chairol Burnett in "Toy Story 4"
In 2019, Carol Burnett voiced a talking chair named Chairol Burnett in the animated film "Toy Story 4."
2019: Establishment of the Carol Burnett Award
In 2019, the Golden Globes introduced the Carol Burnett Award, recognizing career achievement in television, and Carol Burnett became its first recipient.
2019: Carol Burnett Award Inauguration
The Golden Globes introduced the Carol Burnett Award in 2019 to recognize lifetime achievement in television, with Burnett herself being the first recipient. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association praised her as a "comedy trailblazer [who has been] breaking barriers while making us laugh" for over 50 years. Steve Carell presented her with the award.
August 2020: Guardianship Petition
In August 2020, Carol Burnett and her husband, Brian Miller, petitioned to receive guardianship of Burnett's teenage grandson.
September 2020: Temporary Guardianship
Carol Burnett and her husband were granted temporary guardianship of Burnett's grandson from September 2020 to November 2021.
November 2021: End of Temporary Guardianship
In November 2021, Carol Burnett and her husband's temporary guardianship of Burnett's grandson ended, and the child's case worker assumed the role.
June 2022: Guest Appearance in "Better Call Saul"
In June 2022, Carol Burnett guest starred in the second half of the sixth and final season of "Better Call Saul."
June 27, 2022: "Marion" Role in "Better Call Saul" Announced
On June 27, 2022, AMC announced that Carol Burnett would be portraying a character named "Marion" in the sixth and final season of "Better Call Saul."
2022: Role in "Better Call Saul"
Carol Burnett took on a role in the AMC drama series "Better Call Saul" in 2022.
April 26, 2023: 90th Birthday Special and Emmy Win
On April 26, 2023, NBC aired a special titled "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love" to celebrate Carol Burnett's 90th birthday. Filmed at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre, the special featured tributes from numerous stars including Julie Andrews, Cher, Ellen DeGeneres, Lily Tomlin, Amy Poehler, and Kristin Wiig. This special won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (pre-recorded) at the 75th Creative Emmy Arts Emmy Awards. As an executive producer, Burnett accepted the Emmy on behalf of the team. At the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, she presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series to Quinta Brunson for her role in "Abbott Elementary." Brunson was visibly moved, attributing her emotions to "the Carol Burnett of it all."
March 2024: "Palm Royale" Premiere
In March 2024, Carol Burnett appeared in the Apple TV+ comedy series "Palm Royale" alongside Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, and Laura Dern. Her performance earned positive reviews, with Tom Gliatto of People calling it the series "strongest" and highlighting Burnett's portrayal of Norma, "with an unforgiving toughness—even when she's comatose—projecting the slapstick kick of her old CBS comedy show." Judy Berman of Time described her as "the legendary Carol Burnett [playing] the funniest convalescent you'll ever meet."
2024: Role in "Palm Royale"
Carol Burnett had a role in the Apple TV+ comedy series "Palm Royale" in 2024.