An iconic figure in the history of American television comedy and an inspiration to female (and male) comics for almost 50 years, Carol Burnett rose from a difficult childhood to become one of the most beloved performers on television, both as a featured performer on series like “The Garry Moore Show” (CBS, 1950-1967) and as the star of her own acclaimed sketch comedy series, “The Carol Burnett Show” (CBS, 1967-1978). Burnett was also an accomplished musical performer, netting a Tony Award for her starmaking Broadway debut in 1959’s “Once Upon a Mattress.” Though her subsequent series efforts
Moved to Hollywood with her grandmother, where she was raised in a boarding house
Stage debut in a production of "Annie, Get Your Gun" at UCLA
Was given $1000 by a benefactor (who saw her perform at a society party) to go to New York and launch her professional career on the condition of anonymity and the promise to repay the money by helping others if she ever became a success
1954
Moved to NYC at age 21 and performed in industrial shows
1955
Organized "The Rehearsal Club Revue of 1955" which led to her TV debut
