Carol Burnett is known for her long career in comedy, but she is also a mother of three. Over the years, she has opened up about raising her daughters while working in entertainment. As they grew up, each of her daughters went on to build their own path while staying connected to her legacy.
Carol Burnett Raised 3 Daughters While Building Her Career
Burnett first rose to fame on Broadway before becoming a television icon with “The Carol Burnett Show.” She later appeared in films including “Annie” and “Noises Off.” Alongside her career, Burnett raised three daughters — Carrie, Jody, and Erin — with her second husband, producer Joe Hamilton.
Burnett has said she encouraged her daughters to follow their own paths rather than rely on her success. “I’ve always been asked why I don’t put my daughters on television,” she told Interview magazine in 1978. “I always say, ‘Listen, my old lady didn’t have a show of her own. Let them get theirs.’ ”
Her approach shaped how each of her daughters pursued careers in entertainment, from acting and writing to producing and music.
Burnett’s Daughters Built Careers in Entertainment
Burnett’s eldest daughter, Carrie Hamilton, became an actress and writer. She appeared in projects like “Fame” and worked closely with her mother, including collaborating on the play “Hollywood Arms.”
Carrie also spoke openly about her struggles growing up. “I was always Carol Burnett’s daughter,” she told People in 1979. “When I got high, I wasn’t anymore. I wanted my own image.” Burnett later said of that period, “I’m happy to say she got off drugs, but during those three years it was hell.”
Carrie went on to build a career in music and acting before her death in 2002 at age 38 following complications from lung cancer. Burnett has continued to honor her memory. “She never leaves me,” Burnett said. “I just feel her.”
Burnett’s second daughter, Jody Hamilton, built a career as a producer. She worked on projects including “Carol Burnett: Show Stoppers” and co-founded an independent film company. Jody also hosted the “From The Bunker” podcast, which focused on politics and pop culture.
The youngest daughter, Erin Hamilton, pursued a career in music. After early experiences touring with bands, she became a professional singer and released the album “One World” in 1999. She has performed alongside artists including Bette Midler and Whitney Houston.
Carol Burnett Opens Up About Family Challenges and Legacy
Burnett has also been candid about the challenges her family has faced, including struggles with addiction. She has supported organizations such as Al-Anon and Alateen, which help families affected by addiction.
“They help you realize that you’re not the problem,” Burnett said. “You can’t cure them and you didn’t cause it. So, you have to look out for yourself.”
In 2020, Burnett and her husband Brian Miller sought guardianship of her grandson due to concerns about Erin’s well-being. In a statement, Burnett said, “addiction issues and other circumstances” affecting Erin, per the court filing.
“Guardianship will be for oversight purposes concerning his health, education and welfare and not intended to deny him nor the parents proper visitation with one another,” Burnett said in a statement to People at the time. “We look forward to recovery being the next stepping stone towards normalization and ask for privacy at this time to allow that process to occur.”
