Carol Burnett poses for a portrait in New York in 2016.
In pictures: Television icon Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett poses for a portrait in New York in 2016.
Sasha Maslov/Redux

Updated 3:47 PM EDT, Wed April 26, 2023

Carol Burnett, a groundbreaking actress and comedian, has been entertaining American audiences since the late 1950s.

She is perhaps best known for her variety show "The Carol Burnett Show," which originally ran from 1967 to 1978. But she also has had many other roles in television, film and theater.

"For more than 50 years, comedy trailblazer Carol Burnett has been breaking barriers while making us laugh," said Meher Tatna, the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, when she introduced a new Golden Globe Award in Burnett's honor a few years ago. "She was the first woman to host a variety sketch show, 'The Carol Burnett Show.' She was also the first woman to win both the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and Kennedy Center Honors."

Burnett has won five Golden Globes — and many more awards — over a career that has spanned seven decades.

A young Burnett is seen in an undated portrait. Burnett was born in San Antonio in 1933, and she later moved to Los Angeles, where she attended UCLA and took theater-arts classes.
A young Burnett is seen in an undated portrait. Burnett was born in San Antonio in 1933, and she later moved to Los Angeles, where she attended UCLA and took theater-arts classes.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Burnett, left, and Mary Rodgers move a prop mattress through the stage door of the Alvin Theatre in New York in 1959. Burnett's first Broadway play was the musical "Once Upon a Mattress," and Rodgers wrote the score. Burnett earned a Tony Award nomination for her work on the play.
Burnett, left, and Mary Rodgers move a prop mattress through the stage door of the Alvin Theatre in New York in 1959. Burnett's first Broadway play was the musical "Once Upon a Mattress," and Rodgers wrote the score. Burnett earned a Tony Award nomination for her work on the play.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
In the late 1950s, Burnett became a regular on "The Garry Moore Show." It was her television debut.
In the late 1950s, Burnett became a regular on "The Garry Moore Show." It was her television debut.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Burnett and her sister, Chrissie, listen to records on the floor of Burnett's apartment in 1959.
Burnett and her sister, Chrissie, listen to records on the floor of Burnett's apartment in 1959.
Genevieve Naylor/Corbis/Getty Images
Garry Moore kisses Burnett in 1962 after they both received Emmy Awards for their work on "The Garry Moore Show."
Garry Moore kisses Burnett in 1962 after they both received Emmy Awards for their work on "The Garry Moore Show."
Eddie Adams/AP
Burnett guest-stars on a "Twilight Zone" episode in 1962.
Burnett guest-stars on a "Twilight Zone" episode in 1962.
CBS/Getty Images
Julie Andrews, left, and Burnett drink tea while reviewing the musical score for their 1962 TV special "Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall."
Julie Andrews, left, and Burnett drink tea while reviewing the musical score for their 1962 TV special "Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall."
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Burnett peeks at a portrait of herself that was being painted by artist Dmitri Vails in 1963.
Burnett peeks at a portrait of herself that was being painted by artist Dmitri Vails in 1963.
AP
Burnett made her film debut in 1963's "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?"
Burnett made her film debut in 1963's "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?"
Michael Ochs Archives/Moviepix/Getty Images
Burnett laughs while appearing with Lucille Ball, center, and Mary Jane Croft on a 1966 episode of "The Lucy Show."
Burnett laughs while appearing with Lucille Ball, center, and Mary Jane Croft on a 1966 episode of "The Lucy Show."
CBS/Getty Images
Burnett interacts with the audience of her new variety show, "The Carol Burnett Show," in 1967. The show aired for 11 years and brought together Burnett's gifts for comedy, acting and song.
Burnett interacts with the audience of her new variety show, "The Carol Burnett Show," in 1967. The show aired for 11 years and brought together Burnett's gifts for comedy, acting and song.
CBS/Getty Images
Burnett, left, and Cher perform a skit on "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" in 1972.
Burnett, left, and Cher perform a skit on "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" in 1972.
CBS/Getty Images
Burnett — flanked by Jean Stapleton and Phil Silvers — tugs on her ear during an episode of "The Carol Burnett Show" in 1975. Burnett's signature ear tug came at the end of each episode and was her way of saying hello to her grandmother who raised her.
Burnett — flanked by Jean Stapleton and Phil Silvers — tugs on her ear during an episode of "The Carol Burnett Show" in 1975. Burnett's signature ear tug came at the end of each episode and was her way of saying hello to her grandmother who raised her.
CBS/Getty Images
Burnett wears a dress made from a window curtain as she parodies "Gone With the Wind" during a "Carol Burnett Show" episode in 1976.
Burnett wears a dress made from a window curtain as she parodies "Gone With the Wind" during a "Carol Burnett Show" episode in 1976.
CBS/Getty Images
Burnett performs a Tarzan yell, which she would often do during her show's question-and-answer sessions.
Burnett performs a Tarzan yell, which she would often do during her show's question-and-answer sessions.
ABC/Getty Images
In 1979, Burnett poses with her second husband, Joseph Hamilton, and their daughters Erin, Carrie and Jody. Burnett and Hamilton divorced in 1984. She married her third husband, Brian Miller, in 2001.
In 1979, Burnett poses with her second husband, Joseph Hamilton, and their daughters Erin, Carrie and Jody. Burnett and Hamilton divorced in 1984. She married her third husband, Brian Miller, in 2001.
Steve Schapiro/Corbis/Getty Images
Burnett takes the stand in 1981 after suing the National Enquirer for libel. She said the tabloid, in one of its gossip columns, incorrectly implied that she was drunk and had an argument with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at a Washington restaurant in 1976. The court ruled in Burnett's favor.
Burnett takes the stand in 1981 after suing the National Enquirer for libel. She said the tabloid, in one of its gossip columns, incorrectly implied that she was drunk and had an argument with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at a Washington restaurant in 1976. The court ruled in Burnett's favor.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Burnett co-stars in the 1982 musical film "Annie."
Burnett co-stars in the 1982 musical film "Annie."
Columbia Pictures/Getty Images
Burnett reacts to a wax figure of herself as it is unveiled in Buena Park, California, in 1984.
Burnett reacts to a wax figure of herself as it is unveiled in Buena Park, California, in 1984.
Bob Riha Jr./Getty Images
Burnett and Charles Grodin film a scene for the miniseries "Fresno" in 1986.
Burnett and Charles Grodin film a scene for the miniseries "Fresno" in 1986.
CBS/Getty Images
Burnett poses with her memoir "One More Time" at a book signing in Beverly Hills, California, in 1986.
Burnett poses with her memoir "One More Time" at a book signing in Beverly Hills, California, in 1986.
Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images
In the late 1990s, Burnett had a recurring role playing Helen Hunt's mother in the TV series "Mad About You."
In the late 1990s, Burnett had a recurring role playing Helen Hunt's mother in the TV series "Mad About You."
NBC/Getty Images
From left, Burnett, Julie Andrews, Judi Dench and Isabelle Stevenson pose for a photo at the Tony Awards in 1999.
From left, Burnett, Julie Andrews, Judi Dench and Isabelle Stevenson pose for a photo at the Tony Awards in 1999.
Ray Stubblebine/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Burnett, center, poses with other Kennedy Center honorees in 2003. Joining her, from left, are singer James Brown, singer Loretta Lynn, film director Mike Nichols and violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Burnett, center, poses with other Kennedy Center honorees in 2003. Joining her, from left, are singer James Brown, singer Loretta Lynn, film director Mike Nichols and violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Scott Suchman/WireImage/Getty Images
President George W. Bush awards Burnett the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Burnett was honored "for enhancing the lives of millions of Americans and for her extraordinary contributions to American entertainment."
President George W. Bush awards Burnett the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Burnett was honored "for enhancing the lives of millions of Americans and for her extraordinary contributions to American entertainment."
Douglas A. Sonders/Getty Images
Burnett appears in a 2009 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Burnett appears in a 2009 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Will Hart/NBC/Getty Images
Carol Burnett Square was unveiled in Los Angeles in front of her alma mater, Hollywood High School, in 2013.
Carol Burnett Square was unveiled in Los Angeles in front of her alma mater, Hollywood High School, in 2013.
Joe Kohen/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Burnett is honored with the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2013. Joining her in the front row is her husband, Brian Miller.
Burnett is honored with the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2013. Joining her in the front row is her husband, Brian Miller.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Burnett performs a skit with "Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon in 2014.
Burnett performs a skit with "Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon in 2014.
Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images
In 2017, CBS put together a two-hour special episode of "The Carol Burnett Show" to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
In 2017, CBS put together a two-hour special episode of "The Carol Burnett Show" to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Cliff Lipson/CBS/Getty Images
Burnett appears on stage during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2018.
Burnett appears on stage during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2018.
Phil McCarten/Invision/AP
From left, Cher, Burnett and Andrews appear in the television special "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love" in 2023. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/26/entertainment/carol-burnett-90-birthday-special-nbc/index.html" target="_blank">The show</a> paid tribute to Burnett on her 90th birthday.
From left, Cher, Burnett and Andrews appear in the television special "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love" in 2023. The show paid tribute to Burnett on her 90th birthday.
Trae Patton//NBC/Getty Images