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Lily Tomlin Biography

Birth Name:
Mary Jean Tomlin
Birth Place:
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Profession
Actor, comedian, writer

Fast Facts

  • Credits stand-up Jean Carroll as her main inspiration; says she's also been influenced by the work of Lucille Ball, Imogene Coca and Beatrice Lillie
  • Got first break in 1966 on The Garry Moore Show, then landed a monthly gig on The Merv Griffin Show and, in 1969, became a star when she joined Laugh-In
  • Met her longtime collaborator and partner, Jane Wagner, in 1971, when she wrote Wagner after watching a TV movie (J
  • T
  • ) and asked if she would help work on material for an "Edith Ann" album
  • Made her Broadway debut in the one-woman show Appearing Nitely in 1977
  • Initially turned down the movie 9 to 5 because she disliked some of the jokes
  • Attended the 1984 Emmy Awards, for which she was nominated in the Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program category, dressed as her popular character Ernestine
  • Was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American humor in 2003
  • Is a regular contributor to the women's website wowOwow
  • com

Awards

  • 2018Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2015Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013Emmy-Outstanding Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 2007Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2006Satellite Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2004Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1997Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 1996Emmy-Outstanding Informational Special: nominated
  • 1994Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1993Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 1993Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1992Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1984Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1981Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: winner
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1978Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy-Variety or Music Special: winner
  • 1978BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1977Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actress: winner
  • 1976Golden Globe-New Star of the Year - Actress: nominated
  • 1976Emmy-Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music: nominated
  • 1976BAFTA Film Awards-Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles: nominated
  • 1976Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy-Variety or Music Special: winner
  • 1975Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1975National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1975New York Film Critics Circle-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1975Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy-Variety or Music Special: nominated
  • 1975Emmy-Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music: nominated
  • 1974Emmy-Best Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music: winner
  • 1974Emmy-Outstanding Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music Special: winner
  • 1973Emmy-Outstanding Achievement by a Supporting Performer in Music or Variety: nominated
  • 1973Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety: nominated
  • 1972Golden Globe-Actress in a Supporting Role - Series or Television Movie: nominated
  • 1972Emmy-Outstanding Achievement by a Performer in Music or Variety: nominated
  • 1971Emmy-Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement - Individuals: nominated

Relationships