Keep LAUGHING

The Emmy-winning performer shares her thoughts about marriage, playing Mama and getting older

- William Keck

In March 1974, The Carol Burnett Show introduced a new sketch called “The Family.” It featured Vicki Lawrence as belittling, sarcastic Thelma “Mama” Harper, who was constantly at odds with her neurotic daughter, Eunice, played by Carol. Mama proved so popular she eventually got her own sitcom, which ran from 1983 to 1990.

Fifty years after the character’s first appearance on TV, Mama’s still earning laughs in Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A TwoWoman Show, Vicki’s touring production. “It’s a part I can grow into; it’s not a sexy young girl,” Vicki, 74, tells Closer. “As you get older, you certainly feel you’ve earned the right to say what you’re thinking because you don’t have time to mince words. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand that more.”

Your dad worked in the historic Max Factor cosmetics building as an accountant. Did he bring home free samples?

Yes, absolutely! They used to put out a limited-edition purse compact every Christmas, and my mom had quite a collection. And then my science projects in school were all about “How is lipstick made?” and “How does nail polish stay on?” Scientifically important stuff!

Did that job come with any other perks?

My father got me tickets to see the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl in 1965. When I was a freshman in high school, my pen pal in London had sent me this clipping about these four crazy-looking guys with long hair. She said they were coming to America, and a nanosecond later they invaded.