Vicki Lawrence is an American actress, singer, and comedian. She is best known for her role as Thelma Harper on the television show Mama’s Family, for which she won two Emmy Awards. She is also known for her work on The Carol Burnett Show and her own variety show, Mama’s Family. Lawrence has been a successful entertainer for more than five decades, and her career continues to be strong.
Early Life
Vicki Lawrence was born in Inglewood, California in 1949. Her father was a construction worker and her mother was a homemaker. She was the middle of three children and began performing in school plays and talent shows at an early age. Lawrence attended Morningside High School in Inglewood, where she was a cheerleader and was voted most likely to succeed.
After high school, Lawrence attended California State University, Northridge. While there, she was cast in The Carol Burnett Show as a regular performer. This led to her becoming a regular on the show and eventually a writer as well.
Career Highlights
Vicki Lawrence’s career has been filled with numerous highlights. She won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Thelma Harper on Mama’s Family. She also received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series for her work on The Carol Burnett Show.
Lawrence has also been successful as a singer. She had a hit single in 1973 with “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She also released two albums, one in 1973 and one in 1974.
Later Work
Vicki Lawrence has continued to work in television and film throughout her career. In recent years, she has appeared in shows such as The Middle, Grey’s Anatomy, and Hot in Cleveland. She also starred in her own reality series, Vicki! She has also done voice-over work for animated films and television shows.
Lawrence has also continued to tour as a stand-up comedian and as a singer. She has performed on cruise ships and in Las Vegas. She has also done a one-woman show, Mama’s Last Waltz, which has received rave reviews.
Vicki Lawrence has been a successful entertainer for more than five decades. She has won numerous awards and is still performing and writing today. She is an inspiration to many and continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry.