“Mama’s Family” star Vicki Lawrence recently opened up about her relationship with Carol Burnett. The actresses co-starred on the hit variety/sketch comedy TV series “The Carol Burnett Show” for 11 seasons, from 1967 to 1978. However, the two, who shared a strong friendship, had a falling-out during the filming of “The Carol Burnett Show’s” spinoff series “Mama’s Family.
” While speaking with Screen Rant, Lawrence reflected on how they were able to mend their rift and explained that their bond has grown stronger over the years. “I’m glad we are so close now,” Lawrence said. “We’re closer than we ever have been, really.
” Burnett initially had a recurring role on “Mama’s Family,” which starred Lawrence as Thelma “Mama” Harper, a character that she originated on “The Carol Burnett Show.” However, Burnett stopped appearing on the spinoff series amid her divorce from Joe Hamilton, an executive producer on “Mama’s Family” and “The Carol Burnett Show.” Burnett and Hamilton, who died in 1991, tied the knot in 1963 and shared three daughters — Carrie, Jodie and Erin.
The former couple’s marriage came to an end in 1984, one year after “Mama’s Family” premiered. Lawrence told Screen Rant Burnett began to distance herself from the “Mama’s Family” cast during her bitter split from Hamilton. “She went through a horrible divorce,” Lawrence recalled.
“So, it was almost ...
for a while there, it was almost like she.