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Lily Tomlin Biography

Birth Name:Mary Jean Tomlin

Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Founded the Genway Health Center Goosebump Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor in 2014
Won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2003
Was the Women's Image Network Awards Lifetime Achievement Honoree in 2002
Worked as a waitress in Howard Johnson's, where her comments to customers and staff over the restaurant's microphone were known to draw an audience
Was a pre-med student at Wayne State University before deciding to become an actor
Quote: "The most valuable survival skill we have is the ability to delude ourselves․"
Quote: "Why is it when we talk to God we're said to be praying -- but when God talks to us, we're said to be schizophrenic?"
Often collaborates with actress Jane Fonda on various projects
Well known for playing a six-year-old girl in an oversized rocking chair and a telephone operator on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In․"
Included a genuine lock of her hair in the sale of her home video library in 1993
Wore a Red Cross nurse's uniform outside of one of her one-woman shows in New York City and handed out coffee to theatre patrons waiting in line

Awards

1971Primetime Emmy-Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement - Individuals: nominated
1972Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
1972Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement by a Performer in Music or Variety: nominated
1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement by a Supporting Performer in Music or Variety: nominated
1975KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1975NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1975NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1976Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1976BAFTA Film Award-Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles: nominated
1976Golden Globe-Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture - Female: nominated
1976Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture: nominated
1977Silver Berlin Bear-Best Actress: winner
1978BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
1978Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1978Stinker Award-Worst Actress: nominated
1978Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: winner
1981Best Actress-: winner
1982Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
1985Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Program: nominated
1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1989American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
1991Golden Space Needle Award-Best Actress: winner
1992American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): winner
1992Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1993Special Volpi Cup-: winner
1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
1994CableACE-Performance in a Comedy Special: nominated
1994CableACE-Dramatic or Theatrical Special: winner
1994Special Award-: winner
1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1995CableACE-Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1995Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: winner
1996American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
1996Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Special: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
1997Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
1997Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
1998Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2005Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2006Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2007Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: winner
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2012WIN Award-Actress Comedy Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Voice-Over Performance: winner
2015DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
2015Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Feature Film: winner
2016Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: winner
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Comedy: nominated
2016Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2017Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2017CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
2017OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Gold Bison-Best Feature Narrative: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress - Television: nominated
2023MMCG Award-Award for Film Excellence: nominated