How Many Kids Does Carol Burnett Have? Children and Family Explained

The Short Answer

Carol Burnett has three daughters. The comedy legend is the mother of Carrie Hamilton (1963–2002), Jody Hamilton (born 1967) and Erin Hamilton (born 1968). All three are with her second husband, television producer Joe Hamilton, whom she married in 1963 and divorced in 1984. Her eldest daughter Carrie's death from cancer in 2002, at 38, remains the defining tragedy of Burnett's life.

Burnett, born Carol Creighton Burnett on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the most decorated entertainers in history: five Golden Globes, a Grammy, seven Primetime Emmys, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005), the Mark Twain Prize (2013) and the inaugural Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award (2019), named in her honor.

Who Is Carol Burnett?

Carol Creighton Burnett was born on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas. Raised largely by her grandmother in Hollywood while her parents struggled with alcoholism, she studied theater at UCLA before winning a scholarship-funded break in New York. Her Broadway turn in Once Upon a Mattress (1959) made her a star, followed by regular appearances on The Garry Moore Show.

In 1967 she launched The Carol Burnett Show, the variety series that ran 11 seasons and made her a television immortal — the Tarzan yell, the ear tug, Eunice Higgins, Mrs. Wiggins and the charwoman became cultural touchstones. Her honors are staggering: five Golden Globes, seven Emmys, a Grammy, two Peabody Awards, the Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Mark Twain Prize.

Early Life and Birthday

Carol Burnett was born on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, to Ina Louise and Joseph Thomas Burnett. Her parents' alcoholism meant she was raised primarily by her grandmother Mabel in a Hollywood boarding house — the ear tug she ended every show with was her signal to Nanny, "I'm thinking of you." She attended Hollywood High School and UCLA, where she switched from journalism to theater.

A mysterious $1,000 loan from a benefactor (repaid, with interest, years later) got her to New York in 1954. Broadway's Once Upon a Mattress earned her a Tony nomination in 1960, and The Garry Moore Show made her a TV favorite — setting up the 1967 variety show that defined her.

Children and Family

Carol Burnett has three daughters, all with her second husband, producer Joe Hamilton (married 1963, divorced 1984): Carrie Hamilton, born December 5, 1963, an actress and writer who appeared on Fame and co-wrote Hollywood Arms with her mother; Jody Hamilton, born 1967, a producer; and Erin Hamilton, born August 14, 1968, a singer.

Carrie died of lung and brain cancer on January 20, 2002, at 38 — a loss Burnett has called the hardest of her life. Before her death, Carrie got clean from addiction and reconciled with her mother; they co-wrote the play Hollywood Arms together. Burnett later gained guardianship of Erin's teenage son amid Erin's substance struggles, and has spoken about the family's resilience with characteristic candor and grace.

Relationships and Marriage

Carol Burnett has been married three times. Her first marriage was to actor Don Saroyan (1955–1962). Her second — and most significant — was to television producer Joe Hamilton (1963–1984), the father of her three daughters, who produced The Carol Burnett Show. Their divorce after 21 years was painful but they remained professional.

In 2001 she married musician Brian Miller, who is 23 years her junior; they remain together. At 93, Burnett often jokes about the age gap, and Miller has been her steadfast companion through her later career renaissance, including her 2023 series Palm Royale.

Career Highlights

Burnett's career is television royalty. The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978) won 25 Emmys and set the template for sketch comedy — her ensemble with Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner remains legendary. Film roles (Annie, Noises Off), Broadway returns and dramatic turns (Friendly Fire) proved her range.

Her trophy case: five Golden Globes, seven Primetime Emmys, a Grammy, twelve People's Choice Awards, two Peabodys, a Special Tony (1969), the Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005), the Mark Twain Prize (2013), the SAG Life Achievement Award (2015) and the Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award — created in her honor in 2019. Her 2023 Palm Royale role earned her another Emmy nomination at 91.

The Variety Show and Trophy Case

The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978) won 25 Emmy Awards across 11 seasons, setting the template for sketch comedy. Her characters — Eunice Higgins, Mrs. Wiggins, the charwoman, her Tarzan yell and the closing ear tug (a signal to her grandmother: "I'm thinking of you") — became cultural touchstones. Her ensemble with Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner remains legendary.

Her honors are staggering: five Golden Globes, seven Primetime Emmys, a Grammy, twelve People's Choice Awards, two Peabodys, a Special Tony (1969), the Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005), the Mark Twain Prize (2013), the SAG Life Achievement Award (2015) and the Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award — created in her honor in 2019. Her 2023 Palm Royale role earned another Emmy nomination at 91.

Carrie's Legacy and Late Marriage

Burnett's eldest daughter Carrie Hamilton (1963–2002) — an actress (Fame) and writer who co-wrote Hollywood Arms with her mother — died of cancer at 38, the defining tragedy of Burnett's life. Before her death, Carrie got clean from addiction and reconciled with her mother; Burnett has spoken about their final years together with heartbreaking candor. She later gained guardianship of Erin's teenage son amid Erin's struggles.

Married to musician Brian Miller since 2001 — he is 23 years her junior, a fact she jokes about — Burnett found late-life companionship after marriages to Don Saroyan (1955–1962) and Joe Hamilton (1963–1984), the father of her daughters. At 93, she remains universally beloved: the ear tug still signals love to millions.

Palm Royale and the 90s Renaissance

Carol Burnett's Palm Royale (2023–) role as the comatose Norma Dellacorte — stealing scenes without speaking — earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination at 91, proving her comic timing undiminished. The Apple TV+ series introduced her to a new generation, who discovered the variety-show legend through memes and clips.

Her 90th birthday special (2023) — Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love — drew her famous friends for a celebration that doubled as a living eulogy, and she remains sharp, funny and active on the interview circuit. Married to Brian Miller since 2001, mother of Jody and Erin, grandmother and keeper of Carrie's memory — at 93, she is the rare legend who is both historic and present, the ear tug still working.

Lesser-Known Facts About Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett got to New York in 1954 on a mysterious $1,000 loan from a stranger — repaid with interest years later, a story she still tells. Her signature ear tug at each show's end was a signal to her grandmother: "I'm thinking of you." She switched her UCLA major from journalism to theater on a whim, changing entertainment history.

Her Once Upon a Mattress Broadway turn (1959) earned a Tony nomination and made her a star before television. She has won five Golden Globes, seven Emmys and a Grammy — plus the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005) and Mark Twain Prize (2013). The Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award was created in her honor in 2019. At 93, married to Brian Miller since 2001, she remains the most beloved figure in television comedy.

Where Is Carol Burnett Now?

At 93, Carol Burnett remains active and beloved — her Palm Royale performance earned an Emmy nomination in 2024, and she continues to make public appearances with her signature warmth. Married to Brian Miller since 2001, she is the mother of Jody and Erin and the grandmother carrying Carrie Hamilton's memory. Few entertainers are as universally cherished; her ear tug still signals love to millions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources