Carol Burnett has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Peabody Career Achievement Award by the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors. The award, presented by Mercedes-Benz, is “reserved for individuals whose work and commitment to broadcast media has left an indelible mark on the field.”
“Carol Burnett is one of the all-time greats of television comedy. Her wit and talent set the bar for women in entertainment,” said executive director of Peabody Jeffrey P. Jones. “Suffice it to say there would be no Gilda Radner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus or Tina Fey without her blazing the trail. We are pleased to celebrate the many contributions of a beloved TV icon.”
Burnett was first recognized by Peabody back in 1962 when she earned the Personal Award.
“In a world that needs laughter today more than ever before, Carol Burnett has emerged in the past year as one of television’s funniest, and most highly acclaimed, comediennes,” Peabody jurors said at the time. “Already a star of the first magnitude, she promises to give untold enjoyment to the world of television for years to come. May her tribe increase!”
“The Carol Burnett Show” ran for 11 years beginning in 1967, averaging 30 million viewers a week.
More recently, “The 50th Anniversary of The Carol Burnett Show” aired on CBS last December and “A Little Help with Carol Burnett” will premiere on Netflix in May.
The 77th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony, hosted by Hasan Minhaj, is Saturday, May 19, in New York. The awards are presented by Mercedez-Benz with supporting sponsor Coca-Cola.