History of Carol Burnett in Timeline
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.
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.
December 15, 1955: Marriage to Don Saroyan
On December 15, 1955, Carol Burnett married her college sweetheart Don Saroyan.
1962: Divorce from Don Saroyan
In 1962, Carol Burnett divorced her first husband, Don Saroyan.
1962: Produced Carnegie Hall concert
In 1962, Joe Hamilton produced her Carnegie Hall concert.
May 4, 1963: Marriage to Joe Hamilton
On May 4, 1963, Carol Burnett married television producer Joe Hamilton, who had produced her 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.
1965: Miscarriage
In early 1965, Carol Burnett had a miscarriage while in her ninth week of pregnancy.
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".
1976: False Report by The National Enquirer
In 1976, The National Enquirer published a false report implying Carol Burnett was drunk and boisterous in public, leading to a sensitive legal battle.
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.
1981: Libel Victory
In 1981, Carol Burnett won a judgment against The National Enquirer after years of litigation, marking a significant victory against tabloid journalism.
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.
1984: Divorce from Joe Hamilton
In 1984, Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton ended their marriage in divorce, with challenges related to their daughter Carrie's drug problems contributing to the separation.
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: Death of Joe Hamilton
In 1991, Joe Hamilton, Carol Burnett's former husband, died of cancer.
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.
November 24, 2001: Marriage to Brian Miller
On November 24, 2001, Carol Burnett married Brian Miller, who is 23 years her junior, marking a significant event in her personal life.
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.
2001: Retrospective Draws Huge Audience
In 2001, a retrospective of "The Carol Burnett Show," containing outtakes and discussions with the cast, drew in 30 million viewers, surpassing the Emmy Awards in viewership.
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.
2003: Kennedy Center Honor
In 2003, Carol Burnett was honored with the Kennedy Center Honor.
2003: Tony Award Win
In 2003, Michele Pawk won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Hollywood Arms.
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: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2005, Carol Burnett received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to her by President George W. Bush.
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.
2006: Family Guy Episode Airs
In 2006, the "Peterotica" episode of Family Guy aired, featuring an animated likeness of Carol Burnett as a janitor, leading to a lawsuit.
2007: Lawsuit Against 20th Century Fox
In 2007, Carol Burnett sued 20th Century Fox for $2 million over her animated likeness appearance in the 2006 Family Guy episode "Peterotica".
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.
2013: Received Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
In 2013, Carol Burnett received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, celebrated by friends and collaborators including Julie Andrews, Vicki Lawrence, and Tim Conway.
2013: Mark Twain Award
In 2013, Vicki Lawrence gave a testimonial speech during her appearance at Carol Burnett's Mark Twain Award in Washington, D.C., highlighting their close friendship.
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: First Carol Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award for Television
In 2019, Carol Burnett became the first recipient of the Carol Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award for Television, which was named in her honor.
2019: Voice Role in Toy Story 4
In 2019, Carol Burnett voiced a talking chair, named Chairol Burnett, in Toy Story 4.
2019: Creation of the Carol Burnett Award
In 2019, the Golden Globes created an award in Carol Burnett's name, the Carol Burnett Award, for career achievement in television, and Burnett was announced as the first recipient.
August 2020: Petition for Guardianship
In August 2020, Carol Burnett and her husband petitioned for guardianship of her teenage grandson, marking a significant involvement in his welfare.
September 2020: Temporary Guardianship Granted
In September 2020, Carol Burnett and her husband were granted temporary guardianship of her teenage grandson, assuming responsibility for his care.
November 2021: Guardianship Ends
In November 2021, the temporary guardianship of Carol Burnett's grandson ended, with the case worker assuming the role.
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.
