Carol Burnett is a comedy legend and a devoted mother of three. Her life on stage and screen intersected with the personal stories of her daughters, who faced fame, addiction, and loss while carving their own paths. This article explores how Burnett’s legacy shaped her children’s lives and her advocacy work.
**At a Glance
- Carol Burnett’s three daughters: Carrie, Jody, and Erin.
- Carrie died on Jan. 20, 2002 after a battle with lung cancer.
- Jody produced a 30-million-viewer retrospective in 2001.
- Erin’s son, Dylan, was placed under temporary guardianship in 2020.
- Burnett’s 90th birthday in 2023 highlighted her commitment to family and recovery.
- Why it matters:** The Burnett family’s journey offers insight into the challenges of fame, addiction, and resilience.
Early Life and Family Foundations
Burnett began her career on Broadway before becoming a household name with The Carol Burnett Show in 1967. She married three times: first to Don Saroyan (1955-1962), then to producer Joe Hamilton (1963-1984), and finally to musician Brian Miller in 2001.
Her marriage to Hamilton produced three daughters:
- Carrie Louise Hamilton – born Dec. 5, 1963 in New York City.
- Jody Hamilton – born Jan. 18, 1967 in Los Angeles.
- Erin Kate Hamilton – born Aug. 14, 1968 in Los Angeles.
Burnett emphasized that her daughters should pursue their own creative paths. In 1978 she told Interview magazine, “I’ve always been asked why I don’t put my daughters on television. I always say, ‘Listen, my old lady didn’t have a show of her own. Let them get theirs.'”
Carrie Louise Hamilton: Talent and Turmoil
Carrie’s early years were marked by drug and alcohol use. She entered rehab three times before achieving sobriety. In 2016, Burnett shared with News Of Los Angeles, “I’m happy to say she got off drugs, but during those three years it was hell.” She recalled the strain in a 1979 interview with PEOPLE: “I was always Carol Burnett’s daughter… When I got high, I wasn’t anymore. I wanted my own image.”
Despite their rocky relationship, Carrie and Burnett reconciled and grew close. Carrie studied music and acting at Pepperdine University and appeared in Fame, Tokyo Pop, and the band Big Business. She married Mark Templin from 1994 to 1998.
Carrie collaborated with her mother on the play Hollywood Arms, based on Burnett’s memoir One More Time. Unfortunately, Carrie never saw the production onstage. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2001 and died of cancer-related pneumonia on Jan. 20, 2002 at 38.
Burnett honored Carrie’s memory through the Hollywood Arms production. After Carrie’s passing, Burnett considered canceling the play, but her husband Miller urged her to proceed. She recalled the moment she arrived in Chicago: a bouquet of birds of paradise-Carrie’s favorite flower-awaited her, and a bottle of champagne with the label “Louise” was presented.
Carrie’s legacy lives on in Burnett’s words: “She never leaves me. I just feel her.” In a 2023 PEOPLE cover story, Burnett said, “There’s not a day or almost a moment goes by that she’s not with me.”
Jody Hamilton: Producer, Advocate, and Podcast Host
Jody’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ decision to keep her away from their marital dissolution. In the early 1980s, Jody and Erin lived with friends in Hawaii during Burnett and Hamilton’s divorce.
Jody’s career in film and television production began in the late 1990s. In 1998 she co-founded the independent film company Namethkuf with Carrie and other artists. The company produced short films and helped launch Carrie’s directing projects.
In 2001, Jody produced Carol Burnett: Show Stoppers, a retrospective that attracted more than 30 million viewers. The show aired a few months after Carrie’s cancer diagnosis. Burnett later recalled that Tim Conway encouraged her to proceed, noting that “It was Carrie who said, ‘You have to do this, Mom.'”
From 2014 to 2023, Jody co-hosted the politics and pop-culture podcast From The Bunker. She is married to musician and songwriter Lonny Paul Johnson, and they reside in Los Angeles.
In June 2024, Jody attended her mother’s hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater, posing for photos with Carol and her sister Chrissie Burnett.
Erin Kate Hamilton: Singer, Mother, and Guardian
Erin’s early life was steeped in the glow of her mother’s television show. After high school, she enrolled at Bennington College but left to tour with the Grateful Dead, eventually pursuing a solo music career. Her 1999 album One World opened for Bette Midler and Whitney Houston.
Erin’s personal life included two marriages. She married Trae Carlson in 1995, had son Zachary, and divorced in 1998. She later married Tony West, with whom she shares son Dylan.
Erin’s struggles with addiction prompted her mother and stepfather to seek legal guardianship of Dylan in 2020. Burnett and Miller petitioned the court for oversight of Dylan’s health, education, and welfare. In September 2020, the court granted temporary guardianship, and a permanent guardian was named in 2022.
Burnett’s advocacy for Al-Anon and Alateen reflects her commitment to helping families affected by addiction. She told Marlo Thomas, “They help you realize that you’re not the problem. You can’t cure them and you didn’t cause it. So, you have to look out for yourself.”
Legacy and Advocacy
Burnett’s 90th birthday in 2023 prompted reflection on her role as a mother and entertainer. She said, “Life can change on a dime. So just be grateful for today what you have.” She also highlighted her legacy: “I made people laugh, made them feel good when they might have been down. In my fan mail, many say it was the only time the family would get together, to watch and laugh. And that sometimes they were lonesome and were cheered up by our show. That’s a good feeling.”
Her life’s work extends beyond comedy. Burnett’s openness about her family’s addiction history has encouraged others to seek support and healing.
*Key Takeaways*
- Carol Burnett’s daughters each faced unique challenges, from addiction to illness.
- Carrie’s death and Jody’s production work kept the family’s legacy alive.
- Erin’s guardianship of her son underscores the family’s ongoing commitment to recovery.
- Burnett’s advocacy continues to support families dealing with addiction.
- The Burnett family’s story illustrates resilience amid fame and personal hardship.
