Biography of Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett is a U.S. actress, singer, comedian, writer, and best known for her variety show “The Carol Burnett Show”, which aired from 1967 to 1978. Carol Burnett had a difficult childhood. Her parents divorced when she was young and she was raised mainly by her grandmother in a modest household. Here is the Biography of Carol Burnett.

Carol Burnett became interested in acting at an early age. She began pursuing her passion for acting and comedy while attending Hollywood High School in California. Carol Burnett became known for her appearances in various television shows and Broadway productions. Carol Burnett is also known for her philanthropic work and commitment to others. She founded the Carol Burnett Fund for Responsible Journalism at the University of Hawaii, which supports ethical journalism education. Also, involved in various charitable causes, including helping children and supporting cancer research.

Carol Burnett has been honored with numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Her contributions to the entertainment industry have made her an icon of American television and comedy.

Personal Life

Marriages and Children: Carol Burnett has been married three times. In her first marriage, she was married to Don Saroyan, a producer and composer, in 1955. They divorced in 1962. She married Joe Hamilton, a television producer in 1963. They had three daughters together named Carrie, Jody, and Erin. However, Carol and Joe Hamilton divorced in 1984. In 2001, she married Brian Miller, a musician, to whom she is still married.
Tragic Loss: Carol Burnett experienced a heartbreaking tragedy in her personal life when her oldest daughter, Carrie Hamilton, died in 2002 at the age of 38 from lung cancer. Carrie had followed in her mother’s footsteps and had aspired to a career as an actress and author.
Philanthropy: Carol Burnett engaged in numerous philanthropic projects. In memory of her daughter Carrie, she established the Carrie Hamilton Foundation, which supports educational and artistic opportunities for young people. She has also been an active supporter of various charities, including those focused on cancer research and the treatment of children and adolescents.

Education

Carol Burnett completed her education in theater arts and English. Here are some details about her educational background:

Hollywood High School: After her family moved to Los Angeles, California, Carol Burnett attended Hollywood High School. She actively participated in school theater productions and began to develop her acting and comedic skills.
University of California, Los Angeles: After graduating from high school, Carol Burnett enrolled at UCLA to further her education. She studied theater arts and English, which gave her a solid foundation in acting, writing, and understanding the dramatic arts. While studying at the University of California Los Angeles, Carol Burnett continued to perform in theater productions and further hone her talents.
Scholarship and Employment: To support her education financially, Carol Burnett worked various jobs while attending UCLA. She received a scholarship from the American Legion to cover her expenses and worked as an usher at a movie theater.
Honorary Doctorate: In recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry, Carol Burnett has been awarded honorary doctorates by several institutions. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2017 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Hawaii in 2008.

Career

Carol Burnett has had a varied and highly successful career spanning several decades. Here are the major highlights of her career:

“The Carol Burnett Show” (1967-1978): The most famous and defining part of Burnett’s career was her variety show, “The Carol Burnett Show,” which aired from 1967 to 1978. The show included skits, musical performances, and comedy sketches in which Carol Burnett demonstrated her great talent as a comedian, singer, and actress. It won several Emmy Awards and became one of the most popular television shows of all time.
Broadway and Theater Work: Carol Burnett has made significant contributions to the theater world. She made her Broadway debut in 1959 with the role of Princess Winnifred in the musical “Once Upon a Mattress,” for which she received a Tony Award nomination. She later appeared in other Broadway productions, including “Fade Out – Fade In” (1964) and “Moon Over Buffalo” (1995).
Roles in Television and Film: “The Carol Burnett Show”,” Carol Burnett appeared in numerous other television shows and films. She starred in television movies such as “Friendly Fire” (1979) and “Life of the Party: The Story of Beatrice” (1982). In cinema, she appeared in “The Four Seasons” (1981) and “Annie” (1982), among others.
Variety Show Specials: After her long-running variety show ended, Carol Burnett continued to wow audiences with her talent in various television specials. These specials often featured guest stars, and Carol Burnett showcased her comedic and musical skills.
Writing and Memoirs: Burnett has written several books, including her memoir “One More Time” (1986) and “This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection” (2010), which became a New York Times bestseller. Her writing showcases her wit, humor, and insightful reflections on her life and career.

Honors and legacy

Carol Burnett received 23 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won 6 times for her work on The Garry Moore Show, Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall, The Carol Burnett Show, and Mad About You. For her work on The Carol Burnett Show, she received 18 Golden Globe Award nominations and won 7 awards. She also received 3 Tony Award nominations and 3 Grammy Award nominations, winning one of each.

Carol Burnett has also received various awards, including 2 Peabody Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was honored with the Kennedy Center Honor in 2003. In 2005, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented to her by President George W. Bush. In 2013, she received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In 2019, she became the first recipient of the Carol Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award for Television, named in her honor.

Conclusion

The Biography of Carol Burnett reveals the remarkable journey of a talented and influential figure in the entertainment industry. Her comedic genius, versatility, and philanthropic commitment have left an indelible legacy and inspired generations to pursue their dreams and find joy in laughter. The biography of Carol Burnett also paints a portrait of an extraordinary woman who changed the landscape of comedy and entertainment.