Biography for
Lily Tomlin

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Known for her "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1968) characters Edith Ann and Ernestine the phone operator.

Trivia

Was a pre-med student at Wayne State University before choosing acting as a career.

Studied mime with Paul Curtis.

She gave away genuine locks of her hair as a bonus for buyers of her home video library in 1993.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1977" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 29.

One of her first "professional" gigs was as a waitress in Howard Johnson's on Broadway near Times Square. Her comments to customers and staff heard over the eatery's microphone attracted her first big-city audience.

Was to star in a film called Illegitimate around 1980 but the film was never made. [Originally reported in "Playboy" magazine].

Studied acting under Charles Nelson Reilly, who introduced her to the works of monologist Ruth Draper, a major inspiration for Tomlin's work.

Acknowledged that she has been in a romantic relationship with Jane Wagner for the past 30 years (January 2001)

Before a performance of one of her one-woman shows in New York City, she appeared on the sidewalk dressed in a Red Cross nurse's uniform, handing out cups of coffee to those waiting in line to enter the theatre.

During her one-woman show in Las Vegas, Nevada, she appeared as her own opening act: a smarmy male lounge singer billed as Tommy Velour.

Won a Grammy Award for the comedy album "This is a Recording" in 1971 and won Tony Awards in 1977 and 1986.

Measurements: 34C-25-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Won the Kennedy Center's prestigious Mark Twain Prize for Humor in 2003.

Has won two Tony Awards: in 1977, a special Award, and in 1986, the Best Actress (Play) Award for her one-woman show, "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," a performance recreated in the film version of the same title, The Search for Signs of Inteligent Life in the Universe (1991).

With Meryl Streep presented Robert Altman with his honorary Oscar on March 5th, 2006 at the 78th Academy Awards ceremony.

Personal Quotes

There will be sex after death - we just won't be able to feel it.

I've been around a long time, and I interviewed with a lot of the same people over and over. I was always direct and open about my life. I would always reference Jane [Wagner] and everything, but they never choose to write about it that way -- just like they never wrote about Jack Kennedy and the women in the swimming pool. It was the times, but the media culture has changed.

I remember back in the 70s during my really assertive days someone took me to dinner with Lola Falana. And she was talking about her backup dancers; she kept calling them her "boy dancers" so my guard was already up. Then she said "I also like John. He's a real purse nelly". I said "Excuse me? What did you just say". I was ready to go to battle. "You know," she says in her thick accent. "Purse Nelly! Pursnelly!" Then I realized she was saying he had a good personality.

Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic?

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.

(When asked about her complexion during her "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1968) days) "I've never had a pimple in my whole life - and that's the truth".

If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question.

Where Are They Now

(May 1999) (25 May 1999) Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada - guest speaker for Exceptional Experiences lecture series.

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