This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA – who is she?

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

As I delved into the captivating life story of Vicki Lawrence, I was struck by her remarkable versatility and resilience. From her iconic role as Mama on The Carol Burnett Show to her chart-topping music career, she has proven herself to be a true renaissance woman.


In the 1970s, she was the comedienne who collaborated with Carol Burnett. Later, she gained nationwide fame in the U.S. by starring in her own spin-off series.

This 75-year-old talented comedienne also appeared on the popular 1970s TV series The Love Boat.

Other television series are listed in her portfolio: Laverne & Shirley, Major Dad, Diagnosis: Murder, Yes, Dear, and Murder She Wrote.

This remarkable individual collaborated with Miley Cyrus on Hannah Montana, and also played a significant part in the show Roseanne.

Despite the fact that her 1973 hit song “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” remains a timeless classic today, she isn’t as widely recognized for it.

She was spotted while shopping in Los Angeles this week. Who is she?

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

She is Vicki Lawrence.

The seasoned actress is particularly recognized for portraying the character Mama (Thelma Harper) on The Carol Burnett Show and its subsequent sitcom adaptation, Mama’s Family.

In the 2000s, her television career experienced a resurgence as she featured in various episodes of the popular Disney Channel sitcom, Hannah Montana.

Most recently, Lawrence starred in the Fox sitcom series The Cool Kids from 2018 to 2019.

Lawrence was born in the Los Angeles area.

While at UCLA she landed The Carol Burnett Show, so she dropped out for TV fame.

She got the role since she resembled Burnett. Carol was searching for an actor to portray her younger sister in her forthcoming series.

Lawrence has said carol taught her the comedy ropes and she looks up to her.

Vicki was on the popular sketch show from 1967 to 1978; her most famous character was Mama. 

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

Among all the show’s cast members, only she and Burnett were the ones who remained throughout the full 11 seasons. (Or) All other cast members changed over the years, but she was the one constant alongside Burnett, staying for the complete 11 seasons.

Following the conclusion of The Carol Burnett Show in 1978, Lawrence and her spouse Al Schultz along with their children initially relocated to Maui. However, they later returned to Los Angeles.

Mama was also seen in the TV movie Eunice in 1982.

Mama’s Family originally aired on NBC from 1983 to 1985. After being canceled by NBC, the show was revived and continued airing from 1986 to 1990 through first-run syndication.

The plucky funny lady also starred in the 1985 comedy pilot Anything for Love with Rebeca Arthur. 

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

Besides working with Burnett, Korman, and Tim Conway, Lawrence was featured in the reruns of The Burnett Show which aired in 1993, 2001, and 2004 as well.

In the TV special that first appeared on TNN in 1998, Lawrence took on the role of Sister Mary Paul, who was also known as Sister Amnesia.

Later, Lawrence starred in a popular teen sitcom titled Hannah Montana, which aired from 2006 to 2011. During this time, she portrayed Mamaw Stewart, the mother of Robby Ray Stewart and grandmother to Jackson and Miley Stewart. This role was shared with Billy Ray Cyrus and his real-life daughter, Miley Cyrus.

In 2011, she was Mrs. Santa Claus in the Hallmark movie Annie Claus Is Coming to Town.

In the television series “The Cool Kids,” which aired on Fox from 2018 to 2019, she was one of the main cast members alongside Martin Mull, Leslie Jordan, and David Alan Grier.

Additionally, she made an appearance on a unique episode of The Weakest Link, which was hosted by Anne Robinson and featured celebrities.

Her music career was also noteworthy.

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?
This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

In 1972, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” became a major hit. This popular song was penned by its original composer, Bobby Russell, who was once married to the artist.

It sold over two million copies.

The song was re-recorded by Reba McEntire for her 1991 album For My Broken Heart. 

Another hit was the single He Did With Me.

After that, she continued with “Ships in the Night” (1974) and “The Other Woman” (1975). Towards the end of 1979, she put out a disco album titled “Newborn Woman.

Lawrence work on the game show Win, Lose or Draw (1987-1990), and was on Match Game, Password, Password Plus, Super Password, and various incarnations of the Pyramid game show, She also appeared on the 1986–89 version of Hollywood Squares. She was a regular panelist on the 1998 revival of Match Game.

Lawrence and her family appeared on Celebrity Family Feud in July 2015. 

The star was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) around 2011 and went on The Doctors in 2015 to talk about her health.

This funny lady, 75, who worked with Carol Burnett and Miley Cyrus made a rare sighting in LA - who is she?

Lawrence was married to singer and songwriter Bobby Russell from 1972 to 1974. 

Lawrence wed her second spouse, Al Schultz – a well-known makeup artist in Hollywood – on November 16, 1974. Together, they welcomed two children: Courtney Allison Schultz, born in 1975, and Garrett Lawrence Schultz, who came into the world in 1977.

Al Schultz died June 19, 2024.

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2024-11-11 22:34

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