Vicki Lawrence
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Born Name:
Vicki Ann Axelrad
Born Date: March 26, 1949
Born Place: Inglewood, California
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actress, comedian, singer
Brief Biography: Vicki Lawrence was discovered by Carol Burnett as a teenager, she is best known for her 11-year run on The Carol Burnett Show and for originating the iconic Southern matriarch character "Mama", which later led to the hit spin-off sitcom Mama's Family.
Early Life and Career Breakthrough:
As a teenager, she sang with the musical group The Young Americans. Her big break came at age 18 in 1967 when, noticing her uncanny resemblance to Carol Burnett, she sent Burnett a newspaper clipping and a letter inviting her to an upcoming local beauty contest. Burnett attended the event and subsequently hired Lawrence to play her kid sister on The Carol Burnett Show, where Lawrence remained for the entire 11-season run.
Television Success:
On The Carol Burnett Show, Lawrence honed her comedic timing and chameleon-like adaptability by taking on numerous roles. In the early 1970s, she introduced her most famous creation: the sharp-tongued, no-nonsense grandmother Thelma "Mama" Harper. The character was a massive hit, eventually headlining the successful television sitcom Mama's Family, which ran from 1983 to 1990. Throughout the years, Lawrence's versatility kept her on television screens in various projects, including the 1990s talk show Vicki! and the Fox comedy The Cool Kids.
Musical Career:
In addition to her comedy chops, Lawrence found massive success in the music industry. In 1973, she recorded the hit single "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," which skyrocketed to number one on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian charts.
Philanthropy and Current Endeavors:
Outside of performing, Lawrence has dedicated her time to various philanthropic causes, including breast cancer awareness, women's rights, and animal welfare. After being diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), she teamed with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to raise awareness about the skin condition. She often tours the country with her live stand-up production, "Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show," performing as herself and the beloved "Mama".
Born Date: March 26, 1949
Born Place: Inglewood, California
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actress, comedian, singer
Brief Biography: Vicki Lawrence was discovered by Carol Burnett as a teenager, she is best known for her 11-year run on The Carol Burnett Show and for originating the iconic Southern matriarch character "Mama", which later led to the hit spin-off sitcom Mama's Family.
Early Life and Career Breakthrough:
As a teenager, she sang with the musical group The Young Americans. Her big break came at age 18 in 1967 when, noticing her uncanny resemblance to Carol Burnett, she sent Burnett a newspaper clipping and a letter inviting her to an upcoming local beauty contest. Burnett attended the event and subsequently hired Lawrence to play her kid sister on The Carol Burnett Show, where Lawrence remained for the entire 11-season run.
Television Success:
On The Carol Burnett Show, Lawrence honed her comedic timing and chameleon-like adaptability by taking on numerous roles. In the early 1970s, she introduced her most famous creation: the sharp-tongued, no-nonsense grandmother Thelma "Mama" Harper. The character was a massive hit, eventually headlining the successful television sitcom Mama's Family, which ran from 1983 to 1990. Throughout the years, Lawrence's versatility kept her on television screens in various projects, including the 1990s talk show Vicki! and the Fox comedy The Cool Kids.
Musical Career:
In addition to her comedy chops, Lawrence found massive success in the music industry. In 1973, she recorded the hit single "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," which skyrocketed to number one on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian charts.
Philanthropy and Current Endeavors:
Outside of performing, Lawrence has dedicated her time to various philanthropic causes, including breast cancer awareness, women's rights, and animal welfare. After being diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), she teamed with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to raise awareness about the skin condition. She often tours the country with her live stand-up production, "Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show," performing as herself and the beloved "Mama".