Carol Burnett: Frieda's Favorite Famous Redheaded Comediennes Series and Characters List

Carol Burnett is another one of my favorite famous female redheaded comedians. This comedienne is a special favorite, lucky enough to have worked with, and befriended, some of the funniest men and women of the 20th century. Here is a special tribute to Carol Burnett, with photos and videos sure to please all her fans, and easily enough, bring her some new ones.

Carol Burnett was born in San Antonio, TX on April 26th, 1933, (Taurus). Sadly, it was on Carol's birthday (April 26th) in 1989 that Lucille Ball, beloved friend and mentor, died at the age of 77.

Carol's acting career started in 1955, as the girlfriend of a ventriloquist's dummy on the children's television show The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahony Show, in New York. She then played opposite Buddy Hackett from 1956-1957 on the sitcom Stanley.

It was one act in particular during her employment at cabarets and night clubs, following her role on Stanley, that got her especially noticed. She was asked to perform on The Tonight Show and Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town.

In 1962 she hit more fame with her performance in Once Upon a Mattress, a play that she performed in a total of four runnings, during the whole of her career, going back to it for the love of the story, as is mentioned in the second video clip below. That same year she won an Emmy for her performance on The Garry Moore Show. One could say that 1962 was a very good year for Carol. She also became friends with Julie Andrews (among others). They (Julie and Carol) performed together in their own variety show on Broadway. All the while, Carol played parts in shows like The Twilight Zone,et cetera.

Lucille Ball supported Carol's achievements and became a mentor and a very close friend to Carol (they met in May of 1959 when Lucy was in the audience for one of Carol's Broadway performances in Once Upon a Mattress). Burnett played many guest parts on Lucy's shows. She was even offered her own show by Lucy under Desilu Productions. Each time, however, Carol declined. Why? I don't know. But it turned out just fine for Carol, didn't it? She was a smart woman, more than smart. She knew what she was doing and things always seemed to fall into place for her.

Unfortunately, a neck injury put a pause on her career, until she resurfaced fully in 1967 with her own show, The Carol Burnett Show, which ran for 11 years on CBS from 1967-1978. At a time when variety shows were losing their strength with the public, hers was booming with fans and dedicated watchers. Her first guest, every season? Jim Nabors, who became her close friend after working together on Gomer Pyle. Remember that one? I do! But I can't find a clip, so if you can, please share!

Over the years she had many wonderful stars on her show, including Lucille Ball (repeat guest), Bernadette Peters (repeat guest from season 3), Shirley MacLaine (season 9) and Madeline Kahn (season 10).

At the end of each episode, Carol has a question and answer section. Hysterics always came out of these. Here's some of the best.

Even with her demands on the show, she still found time to make guest appearances on other shows, as well as movie rolls (Annie, Noises Off, Life of the Party: The story of Beatrice, to name a few). Not all her rolls were comedy, she proved herself a wonderful dramatist as well.

Fame wasn't over after The Carol Burnett Show. She had a brief variety show with Cher. (Yes, THE Cher.) She made guest appearances on game shows and other shows, films, and made for TV movies. Her character Eunice became a regular on Mama's Family (a spin off of a skit from The Carol Burnett Show entitled The Family. But perhaps one of her favorites was her role as Verla Grubbs on All My Children, a role created especially for her on her favorite Soap Opera.

Her career is still going on today, with her recent appearance on Desperate Housewives.

This by no means has been a full account of her career, or life. It would take a whole website to do the great Carol Burnett justice.

Carol Burnett was and still is the talk of the town. She's certainly done well for herself. She's got gumption. She's got spunk. She's a creative genious! Her talents excell in drama as well as comedy. She is a fiery, crazy, off-the-wall, brilliant woman, whom I adore immensely and who has influenced my life and sense of humor even more than Lucille Ball (despite Lucy's number one status). I love her dearly as anyone would who grew up with her did.

I wanted to be her, I wanted to be friends with her. And I wanted to grow up to co-host on her show (little did I know these shows don't last forever).

She is my hero.

The beloved game show The Price is Right with host Bob Barker and The Price is Right models (new host the excellent Drew Carey) was filmed on the same stage as The Carol Burnett Show.

Many an actor or actress visits their old stomping grounds. It was a great way to get publicity, both for the actor/actress and for the current show.

Here, Carol does just that as she makes a guest appearance on The Price is Right many years ago. I wish she was on there to play, but alas it was just a visit.  You may remember it.  Take a look.  Is it just me, or does she seem a bit sad underneath?

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Actors and actresses, singers, comedians, comediens, artists of all kinds, can be found making an appearance on the popular PBS Children's learning series (a long-time favorite of mine) Sesame Street.

Here, Carol Burnett makes friends with Ernie's Rubber Ducky and lets him know just how much she loves him.

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Favorite characters, actors, and actresses often make guest appearances on other shows. It's one of the ways we get to see our favorite oldies but goodies.

Carol Burnet and Caroll O'Connor made guest appearances on a favorite show of mine and many on Mad About You as Jamie's parents.

Here's a clip I'm sure you'll enjoy.

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Earlier in her career, Carol Burnett makes a major guest appearance on Get Smart, where she gets to get in on the action. She makes a wonderful juxtaposition to Smart. This was in 1967, back around the time she had started her own show.

Saving the best for last, as they say.

Here is one of many Mr. Tudball & Mrs. Wiggins sketches. They are arguably two of the most loved characters on the show.

Mrs. Wiggins was my favorite Carol Burnett character. I can tell you I spent many hours entertaining myself and my parents with my own Mrs. Wiggins inspired skits. I loved the way she chewed her gum. I loved how daft she was. I loved how she did her nails all the time and blew on them to get them to dry. I loved how she walked, the blank expression on her face, and how she was forever getting on Mr. Tudball's nerves.

I still love Mrs. Wiggins! So hows about a clip?

*Photos Courtesy Google Images.

*Videos Courtesy YouTube

I have put together in this series a list (by no means complete) of some of the most influential redheaded comediennes in my life. They've made me laugh. They've stuck in my brain. I think of them often. No one can do what they have done in the way that they've done it. I search out movies and shows that they have been in.

Each series will have a line of hubs, each dedicated to a different Frieda's favorite famous comedienne. And each line with have a feed to the rest them and a matching graphic (redhead, brunette, and blonde).

I sincerely hope that all of you enjoye this series as each hub comes out. Let me know if there are any you're looking forward to. Comments always welcome.

Enjoy.