The legendary comedienne Carol Burnett is celebrating her 93rd birthday today.
Burnett’s History
Burnett was born on April 26, 1933. She was raised by her grandmother in Los Angeles, California. While appearing on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang With Amy Poehler podcast earlier this year, Burnett talked about what life was like in Los Angeles back in the day.
“You didn’t have to lock your doors,” Burnett, 92, said of her L.A. childhood.
That’s certainly changed over the past nearly-100 years!
“And every morning when I would go out getting ready to go to school, I’d look up and there was a Hollywood sign,” Burnett continued. “And we used to climb the Hollywood sign. The other neighborhood kids and I — now you can’t get near it.”
“We would fly kites or roller skate and they would say, ‘I’m bored. Let’s go climb the sign.’ So we did,” she recounted. “It was just, it was kind of rickety then, they’ve fixed it up now.”
“And there were splinters and I would climb up, and get splinters, and it’s a wonder we didn’t break our neck,” Burnett stated. “And then the ‘O’s’ were my favorite, and I would just hang over the ‘O’s’ and say, ‘Hello, Hollywood. Hello.’ We do the Tarzan yell and all of that.”
How fun is that?!
The Carol Burnett Show
Burnett later skyrocketed to fame with her comedy-variety show The Carol Burnett Show, which ran for 11 seasons from 1967 to 1978. The series was nothing short of groundbreaking, as it redefined what sketch comedy could look like on television. Indeed, the show blended musical numbers, film parodies and unforgettable characters, and it still holds up to this day.
The Carol Burnett Show won 23 Emmy Awards during its run. Though the show was still incredibly popular in 1978, Burnett decided to go out on a high and end it on her own terms.
“Ratings do not have a thing to do with my decision,” Burnett later said. “They have been much lower before. And CBS picked the show up for a 12th year…But it’s classier to leave before you’re asked to go. I’m proud of our show. Now is the time to put it to bed.”
“Nothing ever remains the same,” she continued. “But a good time was had by all in those 11 years.”
Burnett herself has won seven Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award. She’s also received honors like the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Burnett Steps Back From On-Camera Work
Last week, Burnett told People Magazine that she’s planning to take a step back from on-camera work. The reason why is that she’s no longer interested in the early mornings and glam that comes with being on a movie or television set.
“I’m really not a fan anymore of getting up at the crack of dawn and putting on makeup and all of that,” Burnett admitted with a laugh.
Burnett’s show Palm Royale came to an end earlier this year. While appearing at the TCM Classic Film Festival on Monday, Burnett opened up about what’s next for her. While she hasn’t ruled out continuing act completely, Burnett let her fans know that any future appearances on-screen will likely be brief ones.
“I might do a bit on Pluribus,” Burnett said. “We’re thinking about [it], but it wouldn’t be a long thing at all.”
Though she’s taking a step back from on-screen appearances, Burnett fully plans to keep working in show business behind the scenes.
“But I’m working on stuff behind the scenes now,” she explained. “So I can’t reveal it yet, but we’ve got some interesting projects coming up where I would be like a co-writer and co-producer. So that way, I’ve still got my hands in it, but I’m not in front of the camera.”
Burnett is a true living legend, and there will never be another one like her. We’d like to wish her a very happy birthday, and many more to come!