Carol Burnett and Her Celebrity Friends as Seen in 35 Photos Through the Years

In some ways it defies explanation that Carol Burnett could crack a smile let alone bring laughter to millions of people over the past 70 years, but the fact that she has comes down to the now-famous gesture of tugging on her lower left earlobe at the end of each episode of her classic variety show to show her grandma Jones know that everything was okay.

It was Mabel Eudora "Mae" Jones who took Carol in from alcoholic parents incapable of raising her, and Mae who offered words of encouragement when her granddaughter announced she wanted to switch from studying journalism and being a playwright to acting, when her own mother responded, "You can always write no matter what you look like."

And Carol took that encouragement and used it to soar, her career starting with a small role in 1955 as the girlfriend of a ventriloquist dummy on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show , which led to a co-starring part with Buddy Hackett on the sitcom Stanley (1956 to 1957). From 1959 to 1962 she was a regular on The Garry Moore Show , winning an Emmy Award in the process, which, in turn, would lead to her appearing live with Julie Andrews in 1962 in Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall , a mix of music and comedy that was the basis of an Emmy winning television special. Five years later, CBS would launch The Carol Burnett Show and history would be made.

The celebrity friendships that Carol Burnett struck — on that show and in the world — were legendary, one of the strongest being with Lucille Ball, who she met in 1959 and was close with until Ms. Ball's death 30 years later. But she was just one of many people Carol enjoyed close relationships with, and what follows are 35 images which serve as a kind of scrapbook guide to what is only a glimpse into the world of Carol Burnett and her celebrity friends.

Entertainment

Lucille Ball and Her Celebrity Friends in 30 Photos Through the Years

There aren't too many entertainers where the word "legend" is applicable, but it certainly is when it comes to leading lady Lucille Ball, and there's no doubt many of her celebrity friends would agree. Her career spanned 60 years, from 1929 to 1989 and included everything from being a model to acting on Broadway, dozens […]

1. Gary Moore (1958)

Carol Burnett with comedian Garry Moore. As noted, she was a part of The Garry Moore Show from 1959 to 1962.

2. Richard Chamberlain (1963)

Carol Burnett poses with Richard Chamberlain (starring as Dr. Kildare at the time) at the TV Guide Awards in 1963.

3. Dean Martin (1963)

Carol and Dean Martin enjoy a goofy dance moment in the 1963 film Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?

4. Bob Newhart (1964)

Carol Burnett (left) and Bob Newhart (right) posing for their television variety series The Entertainers , which premiered in 1964.

Entertainment

'The Bob Newhart Show,' 11 Behind-the-Scenes Facts Revealed

From nepotism on the set, to changing office numbers, discover the intriguing behind-the-scenes world of the popular show.

5. Julie Andrews (1965)

Carol (right) and British singer and actor Julie Andrews (left) review the musical score for their television variety special, Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall, while holding cups of tea in New York City in 1965.

Entertainment

The 10 Best Julie Andrews Movies and TV Shows, Ranked

The dazzling starlet's most impressive work!

6. Peter Falk (1966)

Future Columbo star Peter Falk and Carol at the 18th Emmy Awards, at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles in 1966.

7. Jack Klugman (1966)

Carol Burnett and Jack Klugman (who in a few years would begin playing Oscar Madison on the TV version of The Odd Couple ) at the 18th Emmy Awards in 1966.

Entertainment

'Odd Couple' Memories: See Oscar and Felix Over the Years

See Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon and many more 'Odd Couple' pairings

8. Jim Nabors (1967)

Jim Nabors (starring in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. at the time) and Carol attend an Academy Awards party in Hollywood in 1967.

MUST READ: Jim Nabors — Well, Gol-lee, It's 16 Facts About Gomer Pyle from The Andy Griffith Show

9. Jonathan Winters (1967)

Guest star Carol Burnett clowns around with Jonathan Winters on The Jonathan Winters Show .

10. Johnny Carson (1970)

Tonight Show host and musical director Johnny Carson and Doc Severinson with Carol in New York circa 1970.

11. James Stewart (1970)

Legendary actor James Stewart with Carol at a formal dinner, circa 1970, in New York.

12. Mary Tyler Moore (1970)

Mary Tyler Moore hugging Carol Burnett in a dressing room in 1970. That year The Mary Tyler Moore Show joined Carol's variety show on CBS.

Entertainment

Saturday Nights on CBS in 1973: The Greatest TV Line-Up Ever

All in the Family, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart and Carol Burnett...it doesn't get any better!

13. Danny Thomas

Carol Burnett and Robert Young after they were awarded Golden Apples by the Hollywood Woman's Press Club. Also with them is Make Room for Daddy star Danny Thomas who was given the first Louella Parson Award by the Hollywood Woman's Press Club.

14. Robert Young (1970)

For Carol Burnett and Robert Youn(formerly of Father Knows Best , then starring in Marcus Welby, M.D. ), happiness is being named female and male star of the year by the Hollywood Woman's Press Club. The award is for the persons presenting the best Hollywood image to the world, and is in the form of a Golden Apple. Young shared his award with James Stewart.

15. Rita Hayworth (1971)

In 1971, actress Rita Hayworth made an appearance on The Carol Burnett Show , and this is a nice publicity shot taken of the two of them behind-the-scenes. This was Hayworth's first television appearance.

Entertainment

Rita Hayworth Was an Icon in Film: Revisit the Actress as a Young Star

Learn how Rita Hayworth's career began and what her early years in Hollywood were really like

16. Walter Matthau (1972)

Carol Burnett and Walter Matthau in a scene from the film Pete 'N' Tillie , 1972.

17. James Arness (1973)

James Arness, star of CBS Television's Gunsmoke , wears a big smile after he was presented the 13th annual International Broadcasting Award's "Man of the Year" award by Carol Burnett, at the Century Plaza Hotel in 1973.

Entertainment

Peter Graves and James Arness: The ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Gunsmoke’ Stars Were Real Life Brothers!

Peter Graves and James Arness, respectively stars of iconic TV shows 'Mission Impossible' and 'Gunsmoke,' were actually brothers.

18. Rock Hudson (1973)

Rock Hudson embracing Carol Burnett in a promotional portrait for the musical, I Do, I Do , which they toured in 1973 and 1974.

Entertainment

Doris Day and Rock Hudson: Remembering Their Movies and On Screen Magic

Doris Day and Rock Hudson only made three movies together, but their on screen chemistry was nothing short of magical.

19. Andy Williams (1973)

Singer Andy Williams with Carol in 1973.

20. Jack Lemmon (1974)

Jack Lemmon and Carol pretend that nothing unusual is taking place in a scene from the film The Front Page , 1974.

21. Cher (1975)

Cher and Carol Burnett attend an event circa 1975 in Los Angeles, California.

22. Lucille Ball (1975)

Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, who enjoyed decades of friendship, pose together at a tribute to actor and comedian Danny Thomas at the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, California in 1975.

Entertainment

Lucille Ball Died 35 Years Ago, But Her Legacy Lives on Through 2 Children and 5 Grandchildren — Meet Them All!

The TV icon's legendary talents live on in her impressive family.

23. Dick Van Dyke (1976)

Carol and Dick Van Dyke raise their mugs to "cheer" during a meet up regarding The Carol Burnett Show in 1976.

24. Henry Winkler and Jan-Michael Vincent (1977)

Henry Winkler, Carol and Jan-Michael Vincent in the 34th Golden Globe Awards press room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 1977.

25. Dudley Moore (1979)

British comedian, actor and pianist Dudley Moore with Carol Burnett, who has her arm around Moore's shoulders, as they attend the Hollywood Women's Press Club awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California, September 1979. Moore's star would be exploding with the one-two punch of 10 and Arthur .

26. Tim Conway (1980)

Long time collaborator and co-star Tim Conway with Carol Burnett in 1980.

27. Susan Lucci (1982)

Susan Lucci and Carol, when both were All My Children cast members, July 1982.

28. Elizabeth Taylor (1983)

Carol and Elizabeth Taylor at the press conference for the release of the 1983 TV movie Between Friends .

Entertainment

Young Elizabeth Taylor: 16 Must-See Photos of the Stunning Hollywood Starlet

Learn about the actress' other endeavors, plus how many times she married!

29. Tom Selleck (1983)

Actor Tom Selleck and Carol Burnett arrive to the 55th Academy Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles,California in 1983.

30. Phyllis Diller (1986)

Comedians Phyllis Diller and Comedian Carol Burnett at celebrity fashion show, March 27, 1986 in Los Angeles, California.

31. Tony Bennett (1994)

Singer Tony Bennett and Carol perform during a CBS special circa 1994 in Los Angeles, California.

32. 'The Carol Burnett Show' Cast Reunion (2005)

Actors Tim Conway, Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner and clothing designer Bob Mackie pose backstage the 2005 TV Land Awards at Barker Hangar on March 13, 2005 in Santa Monica, California. They had reunited in celebration of The Carol Burnett Show .

33. Kristin Chenoweth (2006)

Carol and Kristin Chenoweth, at the latter's concert, in the VIP reception area at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2006.

34. Patricia Heaton and Jenna Elfman (2006)

Patricia Heaton, Carol Burnett and Jenna Elfman attend the naming ceremony for the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, July 17, 2006 in Pasadena, California. It's named for Burnett's daughter, the late writer and actress who died in 2002.

35. Steve Martin (2008)

Actors Steve Martin and Carol Burnett pose at a Town Hall Los Angeles event held at the Wilshire Theatre, in Beverly Hills in 2008 where they engaged in an "in conversation" with each other.

Celebrities

Life of Vivien Leigh Young

'How to Marry a Millionaire': 7 Wild Facts About the Marilyn Monroe Film

Betty White TV Shows: Inside 12 of Her Biggest Hits