At a Glance
- Lucille Ball affectionately called Carol Burnett ‘Kid’ throughout their decades-long friendship
- Ball guest-starred on Burnett’s 1960 variety special after promising “if you ever need me for anything, give me a call”
- Ball sent Burnett flowers every birthday, including the morning she died on April 26, 1989
- Why it matters: The story showcases one of Hollywood’s most enduring female friendships and Ball’s role as mentor to the next generation of comedic talent
Carol Burnett has shared intimate details of her friendship with Lucille Ball, revealing the simple nickname the comedy legend used for her and the touching final gift she received.
In a conversation with Laura Dern published January 12 by Interview, the 92-year-old actress recalled how Ball, who was 22 years her senior, took her under her wing early in her career. Burnett described Ball as “adorable and very smart” and one of her “very good friends.”
The Nickname That Stuck
The friendship began when Ball attended Burnett’s Broadway performance in “Once Upon a Mattress.” After the show, Ball visited Burnett in her dressing room, offering encouragement and support.
“She came backstage to my dressing room and was so supportive. She called me ‘Kid,'” Burnett recalled.
Dern expressed her appreciation for this detail, calling it “my favorite, that that was her nickname for you.”
During this initial meeting, Ball made a promise that would prove pivotal for Burnett’s career: “Kid, if you ever need me for anything, give me a call.”
A Career-Defining Phone Call
Three or four years later, around 1959 or 1960, Burnett faced a professional challenge. She had been offered a variety hour but was told she needed “a major guest star” to secure the deal.
Remembering Ball’s offer, Burnett gathered her courage and made the call. When Ball answered, she immediately recognized Burnett’s voice.
“Hey, Kid, you’re doing great. What’s happening?” Ball said.
Despite Burnett’s nervous rambling, Ball cut through to the essential question: “When do you want me?”
The special aired in the early 1960s with Ball and Zero Mostel as guest stars. “It was just Lucy, Zero and me. And we had the best time,” Burnett remembered.
A Lasting Professional Partnership
This initial collaboration led to an ongoing professional relationship. Ball made multiple guest appearances on “The Carol Burnett Show,” which ran from 1967 to 1978. Burnett reciprocated by appearing on “The Lucy Show” several times.
Their collaboration extended beyond mere professional courtesy. Burnett has consistently cited Ball as her most significant influence, stating in “The Carol Burnett Show: Mother of All Marathons” that “the woman who influenced me probably the most was Lucille Ball.”
The Final Birthday Gift
The depth of their friendship became most apparent in its final moments. Ball traditionally sent Burnett flowers every birthday without fail.
On April 26, 1989, as Burnett turned 56, she woke to devastating news. Ball had died that morning from a ruptured aorta at age 77.
Later that same day, Burnett received one final gift from her friend: the birthday flowers Ball had arranged before her death.
“That afternoon, I got the flowers that said, ‘Happy birthday, Kid,'” Burnett recalled, noting they were already en route when Ball passed away.
A Mentor’s Legacy
Their relationship exemplified the power of female mentorship in entertainment. Ball, already established as television’s most successful comedienne, actively supported the next generation. She didn’t merely offer advice but provided concrete opportunities, appearing on Burnett’s early specials when such endorsements were career-making.
The nickname “Kid” represented more than affection-it acknowledged their age difference while establishing Ball as a protective, guiding presence in Burnett’s professional life. This dynamic continued until Ball’s death, with the final birthday flowers serving as a poignant reminder of their bond.
Burnett’s reflections, shared with Dern in the Interview conversation, preserve not just personal memories but document an important chapter in television history when women supported women’s success in comedy.
