Thanks for the laughs: Carol Burnett is set to receive the 52nd SAG Life Achievement Award at the guild’s upcoming 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
“Carol Burnett is a creative dynamo and a comedic genius. She embodies the generosity and courage that the greatest actors use in creating enduring and memorable characters. From her heartbreakingly hilarious Starlet O’Hara to the adorably inept Eunice and alarmingly funny Miss Hannigan, Carol has delighted and inspired millions of viewers and thousands of comedic actors,” SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard said.
He continued: “She took risks as a performer and through her courage, encouraged fellow actors to try new things and always, always reach for the sky. Her innate love of actors led to the creation of an ensemble cast that made ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ a masterpiece of variety programming.”
“The Carol Burnett Show” ran for 11 years, averaged 30 million viewers per week, and received 25 Emmy Awards.
Burnett will be honored with the performers union’s top accolade at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016 at 8 p.m. ET. The award is given annually to an actor who promotes the “finest ideals of the acting profession.”
The first five seasons of “The Carol Burnett Show” are being released in August, becoming available for the first time ever since their original airing. Seasons 6-11 have already been released.
Burnett is in development with CBS Films on a theatrical project originated by her late daughter, Carrie, “Sunrise in Memphis.” Burnett is also writing her fourth book, “In the Sandbox,” which is a love letter to the so-called golden era of television. The book will be released in November 2016.