The legendary comedienne Carol Burnett is speaking out this week to reveal why she’s decided that she wants to take a step back from on-camera work.
Burnett Takes A Step Back
Burnett, who turns 93 on Sunday, April 26, told People Magazine 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. Though 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’s Previous Retirement Comments
Burnett previously announced in January that she plans to retire from acting. Indeed, when asked about the career resurgence that she’s been enjoying as of late, Burnett told The Hollywood Reporter, “It started when I did Better Call Saul and that was a wonderful experience because I knew [creator] Vince Gilligan and was a big fan of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.”
“That whole crew had been working together for 15 years, so it was a well-oiled machine,” Burnett continued. “I had a great time doing that. And then on the heels of that, Palm Royale was dessert.”
Despite these successes, Burnett insists that she won’t be taking any more acting roles. That is, unless something truly special comes along.
“But unless it was something unbelievable that I could not refuse, I would much rather now be behind the scenes,” she explained.
Burnett went on to tease the behind the scenes projects that she has in the works.
“I’ve got a couple of things we’re working on with one of our producers of Palm Royale, Katie [O’Connell Marsh], and we’ve written a few things, so we’re hoping that we can get a series with one of them, and then a film with another one,” Burnett stated.
“So I’m very excited about doing that and just being behind the scenes, not having to put on make-up and just say, okay, here’s some dark glasses and a baseball cap,” the former The Carol Burnett Show star added. “Let’s go to work.”
Burnett is a true living legend, and there will never be another one like her. While we will miss her on-screen work, she certainly deserves to be able to rest and enjoy her life now that she’s nearly 93.
God bless you, Carol Burnett!