Carol Burnett Admits She Wants To Be Remembered For Making People Laugh As She Approaches 90

Apr 06, 2023 by apost team

Carol Burnett is a much-loved singer, actress and comedian that's brought a ray of sunshine and laughter onto our screens for nearly 70 years. Incredibly, she's still going strong, even as she nears her 90th birthday at the end of April 2023. 

Burnett was born on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, but later moved to Los Angeles to live with her grandmother in Hollywood, where she attended Hollywood High School. She went on to study at UCLA, which is where she found her love for performance, and the rest, as they say, is history. Burnett got the acting bug and made her way to New York City after graduation, where she secured her breakout role as the evil queen in the musical fairytale production, "Once Upon a Mattress."

Around the same time, she became a regular player on television's "The Garry Moore Show," which led to her first Emmy Award win. It also led her to realize how much she loved working on variety shows on TV, as it gave her the opportunity to play different characters every week, whereas on Broadway she had to play the same character eight times a week for a year.

Within a few years, Burnett started her own show, "The Carol Burnett Show," which was a variety show with vaudeville roots and featured dancing, singing and comedy sketches. It aired on CBS from 1967 to 1978 and was incredibly popular. 

It wasn't long before Burnett became an iconic comedy queen in the acting business. The popularity of her variety show gained her notable roles in film and television, such as the orphanage owner Miss Hannigan in 1982's "Annie."

Ahead of her 90th birthday on April 26, 2023, Burnett sat down with People to reflect on her legacy, and what it is she most wants to be remembered for.

"The Carol Burnett Show" was airing at the peak of Burnett's career when she began her family with TV producer Joe Hamilton. She welcomed three daughters into the world during the early 1960s: Jody, Erin and Carrie Hamilton. All three of her girls went on to become stars in their own right, but she did not expect the turn of events that took place. Although behind the screen Burnett seemed happy, not everything in her life was filled with joy. 

Burnett's first child Jody Hamilton was born in 1967. She followed in her father's footsteps and became a film producer in Hollywood. She even produced her mom's show "Carol Burnett: Show Stoppers" — talk about keeping it in the family!

After Jody, Burnett welcomed her second child, Erin, into the family. Erin's talent was singing, and she pursued a career in the music industry. But sadly, Erin has battled with drug abuse for many years. Burnett even had to step in when things were too much for her daughter and played a big part in the upbringing of her grandson, Dylan.

Burnett's youngest daughter, Carrie, was born in 1963 and went on to become an actress, but sadly, she too had a long battle with drug addiction. Tragically, just as Carrie was getting sober and her bond with her mother was strengthened, Carrie's life was cut short when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She died from complications due to pneumonia in 2002.

For someone who spent her entire life making audiences laugh, Burnett was unfortunately not afforded that same grace in her personal life. In any case, the entertainer admitted she found solace in bringing joy to others.

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As one of the most famous early female comedians, it's no surprise that Burnett wants to be remembered for making people laugh. When asked what she wants her legacy to be, she told People:

"I made people laugh, made them feel good when they might have been down."

The comedy icon reflected on the positive words she's received over the years.

"In my fan mail, many say it was the only time the family would get together, to watch and laugh," she said, referring to "The Carol Burnett Show," and added: "And that sometimes they were lonesome and were cheered up by our show. That's a good feeling."

Burnett has had a career like no other. With nearly 70 years in show business, Burnett has garnered many accolades, including seven Golden Globe Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award, making her just an Oscar short of the coveted EGOT status. She was also awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

When asked about her impressive career and life achievements — and the fact that she's still going strong at nearly 90 — Burnett replied, "I can't wrap my head around it." 

"I still feel like I'm about 11, but I'm amazed. It sure went fast," she said.

Ever thankful, the beloved star added, "But I'm glad because I've got all my parts — got my hips, I got my knees and I've got my brain, so I'm happy about that."

Are you a fan of Carol Burnett? Did you know she had such a difficult personal life, despite being known for making others laugh? What is your favorite performance of hers? Let us know, then pass this on to other fans of hers!