Carol Burnett is still very much alive, to the delight of her family and fans. The award-winning American comedian, actress, and singer is 91 years old as of 2024. She notably celebrated her 90th birthday with a TV special titled “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love,” which premiered on April 26, 2023, on NBC.
Burnett had a career of more than six decades, making her a cherished and influential figure in entertainment. Her pioneering comedy-variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, originally aired on CBS, stood out as one of the first hosted by a woman. She showcased her talent on stage, television, and in films, handling both dramatic and comedic roles. Throughout her journey in the entertainment industry, Burnett earned numerous awards and honors, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Is Carol Burnett Still Living or Dead?
Carol Burnett is alive and doing well. The iconic comedian reflected on her incredible journey in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine. She expressed amazement at how quickly the years have passed and, in her usual humble manner, said, “The last nine decades sure went fast.”
On her 90th birthday, NBC celebrated the iconic actress with a fantastic two-hour special. The event titled “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love,” featured many famous guest stars like Cher, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Katy Perry, Jane Lynch, Charlize Theron, Laura Dern, Billy Porter, Aileen Quinn (Annie), Bob Odenkirk, Steve Carrell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Allison Janney, Kristen Wiig, Ellen DeGeneres, Lily Tomlin, and others.
At the event, Burnett enjoyed the love she has always received, both spoken and sung. The special was a memorable event, highlighting Burnett’s comedic talent and her lasting impact on generations of performers.
How Old is Carol Burnett Today?
Carol Burnett is 91 years old as of 2024. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, on April 26, 1933. Her parents, Ina Louise (née Creighton) and Joseph Thomas Burnett, divorced in the late 1930s due to alcoholism. Carol then lived with her grandmother in a one-room apartment in Hollywood, California, while her parents moved independently. The family, including Burnett’s younger half-sister Chrissie, resided in a boarding house in an impoverished area of Hollywood.
Burnett went to Hollywood High School and graduated in 1951. Coming from a humble family, she couldn’t afford UCLA’s tuition upon being admitted to study at the school. Luckily, her life took a different turn when an anonymous benefactor provided funds for her university education. In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, Burnett shared that she still doesn’t know the identity of the mystery benefactor.
While growing up, she initially wanted to become a journalist, but she developed a love for theatrical studies and dreamed of a life as a playwright. She had to take an acting course to enter the playwright program, even though she felt unprepared for it. The gamble paid off, leading to her involvement in numerous university productions and gaining recognition for her musical and comedic talents. Her mother did not support her acting aspirations despite her love for acting. Nevertheless, she graduated from UCLA in 1955 and relocated to New York to pursue her career.
In an interview with PEOPLE in 2023, Burnett revealed how she got into entertaining. She recalled being in a class where others did serious acts, but she chose something light that made people laugh, and that’s when she got hooked. She also reflected on her fast-paced nine decades, expressing gratitude for having all her body parts intact. “I still feel like I’m about 11,” she said, “but I’m amazed and happy.”
Who are Carol Burnett’s Children?
Carol Burnett has three daughters, Carrie Hamilton, Jody Hamilton, and Erin Hamilton, all from her marriage to television producer Joe Hamilton, who notably produced Carol Burnett’s 1962 Carnegie Hall concert, The Carol Burnett Show, and other projects. Burnett divorced the father of her children in 1984 and later married musician Brian Miller in 2001.
Carrie, the firstborn daughter of Carol Burnett, was born in New York City on December 5, 1963, the same year her parents got married. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 38 in 2002 due to complications from pneumonia and lung cancer. As a teenager, Carrie faced severe struggles with drugs, going to rehab three times before getting sober at the age of 17.
Carol revealed to PEOPLE that she placed Carrie in a third rehab facility, and despite Carrie’s resentment, Carol realized she had to love her enough to allow that hatred. As a result, Carrie achieved sobriety, and their bond strengthened.
They collaborated on writing a play and worked together in three shows. In a 1979 interview with PEOPLE, Carrie reflected on her addiction struggles, expressing a desire to be recognized beyond being “Carol Burnett’s daughter” when she was under the influence.
She did make a name for herself in the entertainment industry as she played Reggie Higgins on the TV series Fame between 1986 and 1987 and appeared in popular shows of the 1990s, including The X-Files and Beverly Hills, 90210, per IMDb. She was also a talented vocalist and joined Rent’s first musical tour across the United States in 1996. She collaborated with her mom on the play Hollywood Arms, based on Burnett’s 1986 memoir One More Time.
Unfortunately, Carrie never had the chance to witness the play onstage as she was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2001, and she passed away shortly after from cancer-related pneumonia on January 20, 2002, at the age of 38.
Jody Hamilton, who is 57 years old as of 2024, was born in Los Angeles on January 18, 1967. She is Carol Burnett’s second daughter. Jody, who married Lonny Paul in September 2018, is involved in show business. In 1998, she, Carrie, and other artists founded an independent film company called Namethkuf. She produced her mother’s 2001 The Carol Burnett Show television special, “Carol Burnett: Show Stoppers,” which attracted over 30 million viewers.
According to IMDb, she also tried her hand at acting and appeared in “Genesis: The Future of Mankind Is Woman,” a film about an all-female world. Currently, she co-hosts the politics and pop culture podcast “From the Bunker.” As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Jody and her husband, musician and songwriter Lonny Paul Johnson, reside together in Los Angeles.
Erin Kate Hamilton is Carol Burnett’s youngest daughter. She was born on August 14, 1968, in Los Angeles and is 55 years old as of 2024. While growing up with her famous mother and visiting the set of her mom’s show as a child, Erin found it mesmerizing. She later enrolled at Bennington College but dropped out to follow the Grateful Dead.
She ventured into the music business and became a dance-pop singer known for her 1998 cover of Gary Wright’s “Dream Weaver.” Erin opened for Bette Midler and Whitney Houston, released the album “One World” in 1999, and was crowned Miss Golden Globe in 1993.
Carol Burnett’s youngest daughter married musician Trae Carlson in 1995, and they had a son named Zachary before divorcing in 1998. She later married Tony West, with whom she shares a son named Dylan. Sadly, like her eldest sister, Erin also suffers from substance abuse. Erin’s parents, Carol and Brian Miller filed for temporary guardianship of her son, Dylan, in August. 2020. In September 2020, they were granted temporary guardianship and permanent guardianship in 2022.
What is Carol Burnett’s Net Worth Today?
Carol Burnett’s net worth is an impressive $45 million, derived from her involvement in various shows and movies such as the Carol Burnett Show, Mad About You, Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall, Desperate Housewives, and All of My Children.
While the exact details of her show salaries remain undisclosed, the American actress has undoubtedly amassed significant wealth, contributing to her luxurious lifestyle and real estate portfolio. During her second on-screen role in The Paul Winchell Show and Jerry Mahoney Show, she reportedly earned approximately $1.5 million per week. Additionally, she secured a $1.6 million settlement from a lawsuit in 1981.
With its twenty-three Emmy Awards and considerable acclaim, the Carol Burnett Show likely further bolstered her financial success. Burnett owns diverse properties in coveted locations like Montecito, Trump Tower, Los Angeles, and Santa Fe. Her Montecito residence, a scenic abode, is valued at around $2 million, while her Los Angeles property on Wilshire Boulevard was sold for about $3.7 million. The Trump Tower property stands at an estimated $5.58 million.
Alongside her individual holdings, Burnett shares a family home with her current husband, Brian Miller.
Where is Carol Burnett Now?
Carol Burnett’s current whereabouts remain undisclosed. However, the American comedian and actress celebrated her 90th birthday on April 23 with an intimate dinner in Montecito, California, United States of America, alongside her husband, Brian Miller, and friends. The gathering featured a ‘Little Golden Book’ commemorating the iconic comedian’s life and career through whimsical illustrations.
Burnett was known to have previously resided in Los Angeles, but she recently finalized the sale of her longtime residence for $3.7 million. The three-bedroom unit in the Wilshire condominium in Westwood had an initial listing price of $4.2 million in October 2022, eventually reducing to $3.95 million.
Acquiring a unit on the 25th floor in the 1990s, Burnett later moved to Santa Barbara with her husband, purchasing a pied-à-terre on the 13th floor for $1.26 million in 2002. The approximately 2,800-square-foot condo, subject to renovations in 2011, boasts a private elevator and two balconies.
What is Carol Burnett Doing Now?
Carol Burnett remains a presence on screen. She is one of the cast of the Apple comedy series “Mrs. American Pie,” starring alongside SNL alum Kristen Wiig in June 2022. She also graced the final season of her self-proclaimed “favorite show,” Better Call Saul, in 2022. In the award-winning show that is a spin-off of Breaking Bad, she portrayed the character of Marion, an elderly woman who uncovers the crimes of the titular character.
Bob Odenkirk, renowned for his role in “Better Call Saul,” eagerly recounted his remarkable partnership with a seasoned actress during an interview with PEOPLE. This talented actress not only attended his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony but also offered her unwavering support.
In expressing his admiration, Odenkirk emphasized the actress’s multifaceted talent, describing her as incredibly gifted in every aspect. He specifically praised her dramatic prowess on “Better Call Saul,” where she once again showcased her acting skills.
According to Odenkirk, her performances were not only captivating but also emotionally resonant, blending beauty with heartbreaking authenticity. Her contribution brought a profound sense of depth and joy to the overall experience of working on the show. Odenkirk went on to share that being in the presence of such talent was undeniably one of the pinnacle moments of his career, marking a highlight that he cherishes deeply.
Beyond her acting career, Burnett gives her time to charitable endeavors as a promise she made to a benefactor early in her journey. This commitment is very evident in her involvement in Broadway Barks, a renowned annual fundraiser that supports animal shelters and rescue groups, where she took part in in late May 2021.
She also celebrated her 90th birthday in April 2023, an event star-studded with a gathering of friends to reflect on her illustrious legacy. In preparation for this milestone, she and her collaborators pre-taped a special NBC segment, capturing the essence of her impactful career.
Before the grand celebration, notable figures such as Julie Andrews, Vicki Lawrence, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus expressed their warm wishes for Burnett in interviews with PEOPLE. Burnett graced the cover of the April 2023 issue of PEOPLE, radiating wisdom and delving into her career in an exclusive interview.
Even though the magazine celebrated her 90 remarkable years on earth, Burnett shared her amusement about reaching the milestone of 90 years, humorously confessing, “I can’t wrap my head around it.”
Despite the passage of time, she made it known that she felt like she was still around 11 years old. The speed at which the years have flown by surprised her, but she found solace and joy in the fact that she’s grateful for her overall well-being. With a touch of humor, she playfully mentioned, “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.”
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