Carol Burnett is the blueprint of a multi-hyphenate artist. Since receiving her first Tony Award nomination for her breakthrough role in “Once Upon a Mattress” in 1959, the promising young star from San Antonio went on to make entertainment history as a groundbreaking actress, singer, comedian, host and writer over the last decades. On April 26, she will celebrate her 90th birthday with six Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globes, one Tony and one Grammy in her collection.
The milestone birthday will be honored by NBC with a special two-hour concert, “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love,” airing this Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. The show, which was taped in Los Angeles last month, featured multiple guests, including Cher, Katy Perry and Burnett’s best friend, Julie Andrews.
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Over the decades, Burnett left her mark on stage and on both the big and small screen. On Broadway, she was praised for her work in “Moon Over Buffalo” (1996). In Hollywood, she made the mean Miss Hannigan more likable in John Huston’s “Annie” (1981). On television, Burnett played multiple characters in shows like “The Garry Moore Show” (1958-1967), “Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall” (1962) and “Mad About You” (1992–2019). However, it was on “The Carol Burnett Show” that she had the chance to let her talent fully blossom.
“The Carol Burnett Show” was one of the longest-running variety shows on air, running on CBS from 1967 through 1978, with sketch comedy, movie parodies, musical performances and various guest stars. The show also introduced her to a long-time friend, designer Bob Mackie.
The designer created up to 70 costumes per week during the 11 years of “The Carol Burnett Show” — One of Mackie’s most famous creations was a rod dress Burnett wore for a “Gone with the Wind” parody; “Went with the Wind.”
Mackie and Burnett established a long-time partnership on and off the screen. The designer — who later dressed icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston, Cher and Jane Fonda — took Burnett’s style to a new level with glamorous evening gowns specially crafted for television.
During an interview with PBS in 2007, Mackie revealed how his luxurious dresses helped Burnett gain confidence while interacting with the audience during her famous question-and-answer sessions before each show.
“Carol was still in her mind that that gawky girl always played the comedy parts. And I think she realized about the second year or so that when she walked out in a gown and at the beginning of the show, she looked attractive. She looked pretty. She looked stylish. And she was comfortable with it,” Mackie told PBS.
Burnett is living proof that glamour and comedy can be a perfect pair. While sometimes she could try the most unflattering outfits to help the audience embrace her characters, Burnett also knew and still knows how to deliver a joke in the most fabulous costume.
In the ’60s and ’70s, she sported sequined gowns with dramatic feathers and crystal embellishments during her shows. In the late ’80s and ’90s, she swapped the dresses for power suits but kept the sequins and the vibrant colors. The silhouette is still her go-to choice for award ceremonies and red carpets.
Burnett’s impact on American television was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 SAG Awards. In 2019, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) named the Golden Globe’s honorary TV Achievement award after her — the Carol Burnett Award was given to Ellen DeGeneres, Norman Lear and Ryan Murphy since then.
At 90 years old, Burnett is still playing the Hollywood game. In 2022, she guest-starred in “Better Call Saul” season 6. This year, the legendary actress will make her return as a series regular in Apple TV+’s “Mrs. American Pie” starring opposite Kristen Wiig.
Here, discover the career of Carol Burnett, from her younger years in the ’60s to today. Click for photos: Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday: Her Life in Pictures Over the Years.
