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Carol Burnett Makes History as the Oldest Emmy Nominee in Comedy
Comedy legend Carol Burnett continues to break barriers at 91, becoming the oldest woman ever nominated for an acting Emmy in a comedy category. Burnett received the nomination for her role as Norma Dellacorte in Palm Royale, an Apple TV+ period comedy-drama. A seven-time Emmy winner, Burnett could add an eighth award to her collection at the 76th Emmy Awards on September 15. She is nominated alongside a competitive field, including Meryl Streep, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Hannah Einbinder, Janelle James, and Liza Colón-Zayas.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Burnett expressed surprise at her nomination, given that her character spends the first few episodes comatose. Despite this, she relished the opportunity to work on the show. “I had the most fun. I loved it all, I really did,” she said. “But I have to say, when I first started shooting, I’m in the coma, right? So I get up out of bed at 5 in the morning, go to the studio, get made up, put on my costume, and go right back to bed. Kind of a good gig.”
A Career Spanning Decades
Carol Burnett became a household name through her groundbreaking television career, with a particular focus on comedy. She first gained prominence through various TV guest appearances and specials before securing her own variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, in 1967. The show ran for 11 seasons, earning 25 Emmy Awards, including three for Outstanding Variety Show. Burnett’s influence extends beyond television to film and Broadway, with recent appearances in Better Call Saul and Palm Royale.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, Burnett was the daughter of Joseph and Ina Louise Burnett. Following her parents’ divorce in the late 1930s, she moved with her grandmother, Mabel Eudora White, to a small apartment in Hollywood, California. Burnett attended Hollywood High School and graduated in 1951. After enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles, to study theater arts and English, she left school early to pursue her dream of acting. She moved to New York City with her boyfriend, Don Saroyan, hoping to break into the industry.
Burnett’s legacy as a trailblazer in comedy and entertainment continues to inspire, and her latest Emmy nomination marks yet another milestone in her storied career.
The Carol Burnett Show
Carol Burnett’s television career began in the early 1950s with a brief appearance on The Winchell-Mahoney Show, a children’s program. She went on to co-star with Buddy Hackett in the sitcom Stanley (1956-1957) before becoming a regular on The Garry Moore Show in 1959. Burnett’s popularity continued to rise through guest appearances on various CBS specials. In 1967, having already won two Emmy Awards, she launched her own comedy-variety series, The Carol Burnett Show. The show became an instant success, known for its blend of comedy sketches, physical humor, and Burnett’s expressive face. It was recognized with 25 Emmy Awards over its 11-season run, including three wins for Outstanding Variety Series, before concluding in 1978.
Following the end of The Carol Burnett Show, Burnett returned to television with the short-lived Carol & Company (1990) and The Carol Burnett Show (1991). In addition, from 1983 to 2011, she appeared as the iconic Verla Grubbs on All My Children and earned a sixth Emmy Award for her guest role as Theresa Stemple on Mad About You in 1996. Her television presence has remained strong with guest appearances on shows such as Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Glee, Hot in Cleveland, and Hawaii Five-0.
Recent Projects: Better Call Saul and Palm Royale
In 2022, Burnett garnered critical acclaim for her role as Marion in the Breaking Bad spinoff series Better Call Saul. She portrayed the sympathetic mother of Jeff the cab driver, who unwittingly welcomes the con man Saul Goodman into her home. Burnett’s performance received praise, and she described the experience as one of the most enjoyable of her career. The following year, she made waves once again with her portrayal of Norma Dellacorte in Palm Royale, a 1960s Palm Beach-set comedy-drama about high society. In July 2024, Burnett earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, becoming the oldest woman nominated in this category.
Movies and Theater
In addition to her iconic television work, Burnett has appeared in several films, including Pete ’n’ Tillie (1972), The Front Page (1974), Annie (1982), Noises Off (1992), and Post Grad (2009). She has lent her voice to animated characters in films like The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) and Horton Hears a Who! (2008).
Burnett’s stage career has also been notable. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Once Upon a Mattress in 1959 and went on to perform in shows such as Moon Over Buffalo (1995-1996) and Putting It Together (1999-2000). Her 1986 memoir, One More Time: A Memoir, served as the inspiration for the Broadway play Hollywood Arms (2002-2003), which she co-wrote with her daughter, Carrie Hamilton.
In recent years, Burnett has continued to perform across the country in unscripted shows, where she engages in a dialogue with the audience. This format draws from the question-and-answer sessions that were a hallmark of The Carol Burnett Show.
Burnett’s enduring influence in both television and live performance remains a testament to her immense talent, versatility, and timeless appeal.
Awards and Accolades
Throughout her illustrious career, Carol Burnett has received numerous prestigious honors, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential figures in entertainment. Among her accolades are multiple American Comedy Awards, as well as Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. She has also been recognized with the 1980 Women in Film Crystal Award, the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, Burnett achieved a unique distinction when one of her iconic costumes from The Carol Burnett Show was added to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. The dress selected was from her memorable parody of Gone With the Wind.
In 2010, Burnett reflected on her career in her memoir This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection. The following year, her influence on the comedy world was further celebrated when she received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2013. At the ceremony, comedian Tina Fey praised Burnett’s groundbreaking impact on sketch comedy, especially for women, calling her an inspiration. Just months later, Burnett was again honored with the Kennedy Center Honors, one of the highest honors for individuals who have made significant contributions to American culture.
Husband and Children
Carol Burnett has been married three times, with her current husband, Brian Miller, whom she wed in 2001. Burnett’s first marriage was to Don Saroyan in 1955, though the couple divorced in 1962. She married Joe Hamilton the following year, with whom she had three daughters: Carrie, Jody, and Erin. This second marriage ended in 1984.
In 2002, Burnett faced the heartbreaking loss of her eldest daughter, Carrie, who passed away from cancer. In tribute, Burnett established the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse in her daughter’s honor. Over a decade later, Burnett reflected on her relationship with Carrie in her 2013 memoir, Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story, in which she shares poignant insights into Carrie’s struggles with addiction and her battle with cancer.