Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Carol Burnett Biography

Birth Name:Carol Creighton Burnett

Birth Place:San Antonio, Texas, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Writer

Fast Facts

George W․ Bush presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005
Was one of the five recipients at the 2003 Kennedy Center Honors
Put on "The Rehearsal Club Revue" with her other friends in boardinghouses to gain the attention of casting agents
While seeking work as an actor, she spent her first year in New York working as a hat-check girl
Quote: "I had the imprint as a child that if Mickey [Rooney] and Judy [Garland] could put a show on in a barn and then it got to Broadway, well, that's just the way things are! Inside, I always knew I would be okay․"
Known for her comedic and musical abilities, her most prominent role was in the variety series, "The Carol Burnett Show․"
Turned down the chance to star in a show produced by Lucille Ball, instead deciding to host a variety show that became "The Carol Burnett Show․"
Would tug on her left ear on camera in order to say "Hello" to her grandmother
After her daughter died of brain and lung cancer at the age of 38, Burnett published a book about their relationship called "Carrie and Me" to keep her memory alive
Had an imaginary twin sister in the second grade and fooled the boarders in the house where she lived with her grandmother into believing the sister was real by quickly switching clothes and sneaking into and out of the house via the fire escape

Awards

1962Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series: winner
1968Golden Globe-Best TV Star - Female: winner
1969Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety or Musical Series: nominated
1970Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: winner
1970Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety or Musical Series: nominated
1971Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1971Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series - Musical: nominated
1972Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: winner
1972Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series - Musical: winner
1973Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1973Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Musical Series: nominated
1974Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1974Primetime Emmy-Best Lead Actress in a Drama: nominated
1974Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Music-Variety Series: winner
1975Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series: winner
1976Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
1977Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
1978Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
1978Prize San Sebastián-Best Actress: winner
1979Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture: nominated
1979Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1981Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
1981Stinker Award-Worst Actress: nominated
1982Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1983Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1983Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1984ACE-Actress in a Dramatic or Theatrical Program: winner
1987American Comedy Award-Funniest Television Star in a Special - Male or Female: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
1997OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1998American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Cable Series: winner
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series: nominated
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer of a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Special: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2005Legend Award-: winner
2006Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2009Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
2009OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013BTVA Anime Dub Movie/Special Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Feature Film/Special: nominated
2018Legacy Award-Best Children's Comedy Artist Female: nominated
2019Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): winner
2024Dorian Award-Best Supporting TV Performance - Comedy: nominated
2024OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment, Variety, Sketch, Standup & Talk Television: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated