“Mama’s Family” star Vicki Lawrence recently opened up about her relationship with Carol Burnett.
The actresses co-starred in the hit variety/sketch comedy TV series “The Carol Burnett Show” for 11 seasons from 1967 to 1978.
However, the two, who had a close friendship, had a falling out during the filming of “Mama’s Family”, the spinoff series of “The Carol Burnett Show”.
Speaking with Screen Rant, Lawrence reflected on how they were able to mend their rift and revealed that their bond has grown stronger over the years.
“I’m glad we’re so close now,” Lawrence said. “Actually we’re closer than ever.”
Burnett initially had a recurring role on “Mama’s Family”, in which Lawrence played Thelma “Mama” Harper, a character she originated on “The Carol Burnett Show”.
However, Burnett stopped appearing in the spinoff series following her divorce from Joe Hamilton, executive producer of “Mama’s Family” and “The Carol Burnett Show”.
Burnett and Hamilton, who died in 1991, tied the knot in 1963 and had three daughters – Carrie, Jody and Erin.
The former couple’s marriage ended in 1984, a year after “Mama’s Family” premiered.
Lawrence told Screen Rant that Burnett began distancing herself from the “Mama’s Family” cast during her bitter split from Hamilton.
“She went through a terrible divorce,” Lawrence recalled. “So, it was almost… for a while, it was almost like he divorced all of us who were involved [Hamilton] at all. I know it was hard for him. He spent a lot of time…”
The actress further added, “She talked to my husband one night.” “She called – it was in the early stages of ‘Mama’s Family.’ I was cooking dinner. My son picked up the phone and he said, ‘Can I talk to your dad?’ And I said, ‘Who is this?’ And my son said, ‘This is Carol.’ I said, ‘Does she want to talk to me?’ And she said, ‘No, she wants to talk to dad.’ And it kind of broke my heart.
“But she told my husband, Al, ‘I promise I’ll come back. I promise.’ And when she came back, she came back fully,” Lawrence remembered. “But I know it was a really hard time for her, more than anything.”
Lawrence was married to makeup artist Al Schultz for nearly 50 years, until his death in June at the age of 82.
Schultz worked as a makeup artist on “The Carol Burnett Show” and other popular series including “All in the Family” and “Good Times.” The couple had daughter Courtney and son Garrett.
In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lawrence credited Burnett with introducing her to her future spouse.
“Carol found me my husband,” Lawrence said. “Al had just joined the makeup union. And Carol was sitting in her dressing room, and Al walked past her. She told her secretary that he was very cute and that she wanted him on the show. Carol has been largely responsible for most things in my adult life.”
Speaking with Screen Rant, Lawrence said that Burnett faced many difficult times in her life. Burnett and Hamilton’s daughter, Carey, struggled with drug addiction during her teenage years and spent time in rehabilitation centers.
She became sober at age 15, although she fell ill again for a short period at age 17.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Burnett and Hamilton went public with their daughter’s struggles in an effort to help other families and became fund-raisers for the center where Carey was treated. The former couple also shared that their daughter’s addiction problems contributed to their divorce.
In 2002, Carey died of cancer at the age of 38. Burnett and Hamilton’s daughter, Erin, has also struggled with drug addiction.
In 2020, Burnett and her third husband, Brian Miller, became temporary legal guardians of Erin’s teenage son, Dylan, due to Erin’s substance abuse issues.
“I feel really bad for him,” Lawrence said of Burnett.
In 2002, Carey died of cancer at the age of 38. Burnett and Hamilton’s daughter, Erin, has also struggled with drug addiction. In 2020, Burnett and her third husband, Brian Miller, became temporary legal guardians of Erin’s teenage son, Dylan, due to Erin’s substance abuse issues.
“I feel really bad for him,” Lawrence said of Burnett.
In addition to their friendship, the seven-time Emmy Award winner also became a mentor to Lawrence and later urged her to take the lead role in “Mama’s Family” despite the young actress’s hesitation.
Lawrence said, “I think the most important thing I learned from Carroll is how to run the business of show business.” “It should be fun, and if it’s not fun, you’re doing it wrong.
He added, “It’s been a very tough business.” “I was very fortunate to be raised on ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ by the best teachers in the world. So, what happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
The two will reunite on screen after Lawrence was cast in a supporting role in the second season of the Apple+ TV show “Palm Royale,” which stars Burnett in the lead role.
“I’ve shot some scenes, but I haven’t shot with Carroll yet,” Lawrence told Screen Rant. “But he said I would.”
