Vicki Lawrence

Vicki Lawrence (born Vicki Ann Axelrad; March 26, 1949), sometimes credited as Vicki Lawrence Schultz, is an American actress, comedian, and singer. She is best known for her character Mama (Thelma Harper). Lawrence also originated many other characters on CBS's The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1978, the variety show's entire series run.

The success of "The Family" skits eventually spun off into Lawrence's own television sitcom, Mama's Family, her character becoming the focal point and Mama's traits expanding and evolving dramatically. Continuing Mama's evolution, Lawrence has hosted an untelevised stand-up comedy routine since 2001, "Vicki and Mama: A Two Woman Show". Moreover, Lawrence has made numerous post-Mama's Family guest TV show appearances in her famed Mama role.

In 1973, Lawrence became a one-hit wonder singer in the US only, landing on the US chart with "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia". It reached number one on both the United States and Canada charts. "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" peaked at no. 36 on the US country chart. In 1991 Reba McEntire covered the song for her album For My Broken Heart. McEntire released her cover as a single in 1992 and it peaked at no. 12 on the US country chart. In addition to "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" In early 1974, she hit number one in Australia with "He Did with Me", followed up by the no. 7, "Ships in the Night". She also released an album on Bell Records. Lawrence has multiple Emmy Award nominations, winning one in 1976. She is also a multiple Golden Globe nominee, all for The Carol Burnett Show. She also made several guest appearances in the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana and starred in the Fox sitcom series The Cool Kids. Vicki Lawrence hosted "The Great American Homemaker" which appeared on USA Network cable television network for over a year in 1983.

Lawrence was born Vicki Ann Axelrad in Inglewood, California.

Her paternal grandfather, Simon Axelrad, was an Austrian Jewish immigrant. Her paternal grandmother, Anna Irmas, was born in Illinois, to German Jewish parents but became an adherent of Christian Science, in which faith Vicki's father was raised. The family surname was legally changed to "Lawrence" when Vicki was young.

A graduate of Morningside High School in Inglewood (class of 1967), Lawrence had originally planned on being a dental hygienist. She attended UCLA while on The Carol Burnett Show, and changed her major to theater arts, but dropped out after two years.

In high school, she auditioned for and got into the musical group The Young Americans. She stayed with the group almost until the end of high school. By being with the group, she gained experience from touring, performing at the Oscars, coming in contact with noteworthy performers such as Johnny Mathis and Louis Armstrong, and performing on The Andy Williams Show.

In her senior year, she entered the Miss Fireball of Inglewood contest for the local firefighter's ball. A reporter for a local newspaper wrote a story about the contest and stated that Lawrence bore a striking resemblance to a young Carol Burnett. An avid fan letter-writer, Lawrence's mother urged her to write a letter, which Lawrence did, including the newspaper article. After receiving the letter, Burnett found Lawrence's father's name in the phone book, called him, and said she would go to see the Miss Fireball contest. Lawrence won the contest and Burnett was called to the stage to crown her. Burnett was looking for an actress to play her younger sister on her upcoming show. After a few months and auditions, Lawrence, aged 18, got the part, specifically to play "Chrissy" in the "Carol and Sis" sketches.