Gina Heslop
The world came together to celebrate the legendary Carol Burnett as she marked her 90th birthday on April 26. The occasion was marked by a two-hour television special titled “Carol Burnett: A Celebration,” which aired on NBC and Peacock as “90 Years of Laughter + Love.” It was a heartfelt tribute well worth watching.
Leading up to this special, Carol Burnett had been busy with a series of interviews. Everyone wanted to hear from her, and most major media outlets got their chance, including PEOPLE magazine, which featured her in their April issue. The interview provided insight into her remarkable life and career, filled with memorable anecdotes and sound bites, as one would expect from such an iconic figure.
During the interviews, Carol Burnett touched on various aspects of her life, including her late daughter, Carrie Hamilton. Carrie was one of her three children, born to her and her second husband, Joe Hamilton. Despite facing her own struggles with addiction and ultimately succumbing to lung and brain cancer in 2002, Carrie continued her mother’s legacy in acting and singing.
Carrie’s untimely passing at the age of 38 left a lasting impact on those around her, particularly her mother. Carol Burnett expressed that she carries a reminder of her daughter with her almost every moment, and they shared many precious memories together. Carol recalled one piece of advice from Carrie that still guides her: the importance of making a conscious choice to embrace each day.
Carrie Hamilton and her mother had collaborated on the play “Hollywood Arms” before Carol Burnett’s passing in 2002. The play was based on Burnett’s 1986 autobiography, “One More Time,” which chronicled her early life and journey to stardom in Hollywood.
Despite her daughter’s absence, Carol Burnett completed the play in her honor, encouraged by her husband to fulfill the commitment they had made to both Carrie and the director, Hal Prince. The play premiered at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago just three months after Carrie’s passing, before making its way to Broadway, where it enjoyed a successful run.
As the play was about to debut, Carol Burnett and her husband boarded a plane to Chicago, where she said a prayer for her daughter, asking for her presence in spirit as she embarked on this poignant journey. The legacy of love and creativity between Carol Burnett and her daughter lives on through their shared work and memories.
