Lily Tomlin
Born 1939 · Age 86
American actress, comedian, writer, singer, and producer whose career in stand-up, television, film, and Broadway has spanned more than five decades. Noted for Laugh-In, solo stage work, films (Nashville, Nine to Five), the one-woman The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, voice work as Ms. Frizzle, and the Netflix series Grace and Frankie.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Mary Jean Tomlin (Lily Tomlin) was born in Detroit, Michigan.
Began attending Wayne State University (approx.)
Tomlin attended Wayne State University (dates not specified in source; estimated late 1950s).
Began performing stand-up and off-Broadway (1960s)
Tomlin started performing stand-up comedy and appearing off-Broadway in the 1960s before moving to New York.
Moved to New York City to pursue comedy (approx.)
Tomlin relocated to New York City to pursue stand-up and theatrical opportunities (approximate mid-1960s).
Appeared on The Garry Moore Show
Tomlin made appearances on The Garry Moore Show (1966–1967), one of her early television breaks.
Breakout regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Tomlin joined the cast of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, becoming widely known for several recurring characters (1969–1973).
Created Ernestine and Edith Ann characters
On Laugh-In Tomlin created memorable characters Ernestine (telephone operator) and Edith Ann (precocious child), which became signature bits.
Released comedy album This Is a Recording
Tomlin released the comedy album This Is a Recording, featuring her Ernestine and Edith Ann characters.
Won Grammy Award for This Is a Recording
Tomlin won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording for This Is a Recording.
Starred in TV special Lily
Tomlin's TV special Lily aired (often associated with 1973) and showcased her characters and writing.
Won Emmy Awards for Lily (writing/variety)
Tomlin received multiple Emmy Awards for the special Lily and her writing/production work (Emmys credited 1974 in sources).
Film debut in Nashville
Tomlin made her feature-film debut in Robert Altman's Nashville, earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
The Lily Tomlin Special (TV-movie)
Tomlin's TV-movie The Lily Tomlin Special (1975) is among her acclaimed television projects (won Emmys per sources).
Emmy recognition for writing/variety (mid-1970s)
Tomlin earned additional Emmy recognition in the mid-1970s for writing/variety specials (sources list Emmy wins in the 1970s).
Appearing Nitely one-woman show on Broadway
Tomlin starred in Appearing Nitely, a one-woman Broadway show which she co-wrote/codirected with Jane Wagner; it earned a special Tony Award.
Won Emmy for co-writing The Paul Simon Special
Tomlin earned Emmy honors for co-writing The Paul Simon Special (award year cited as 1977/1978 in sources).
Starred in The Late Show — Silver Bear win
Tomlin's role as Margo Sperling in The Late Show won her the Silver Bear for Best Actress and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
Moment by Moment film (directed by Jane Wagner)
Tomlin starred in Moment by Moment (1978), written and directed by Jane Wagner; the film was widely panned.
Starred in Nine to Five
Tomlin co-starred with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton in Nine to Five, a major box-office and cultural hit about workplace sexism.
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
Tomlin starred in The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981).
TV special Lily: Sold Out won Emmy
The TV special Lily: Sold Out (1981) received Emmy recognition (sources list it among Tomlin's Emmy-winning specials).
Starred in All of Me
Tomlin co-starred with Steve Martin in the comedy All of Me (1984).
Opened The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe on Broadway
Tomlin's signature one-woman show, written by Jane Wagner, opened on Broadway in 1985 to acclaim.
Won Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (The Search...)
Tomlin received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (sources list Tony recognition in mid-1980s).
Film adaptation of The Search for Signs released
A filmed version of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe was released in 1991 but received little attention.
Reunited with Robert Altman for Short Cuts
Tomlin appeared in Altman's acclaimed ensemble film Short Cuts (1993).
Began voicing Ms. Frizzle on The Magic School Bus
Tomlin provided the voice of Ms. Frizzle on the children's animated series The Magic School Bus (1994–1997).
Appeared in Flirting with Disaster
Tomlin had a notable role in David O. Russell's comedy Flirting with Disaster (1996).
Starred in Tea with Mussolini
Tomlin appeared in Tea with Mussolini (1999), a drama featuring an ensemble cast.
Joined The West Wing as Deborah Fiderer (2002–2006)
Tomlin portrayed Deborah Fiderer on Aaron Sorkin's series The West Wing from 2002 to 2006 (recurring role).
Received Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Tomlin was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center in 2003.
Appeared in I Heart Huckabees
Tomlin starred in the ensemble comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004) as an existential detective figure.
Appeared in A Prairie Home Companion
Tomlin appeared in Robert Altman's A Prairie Home Companion (2006).
Television and film guest roles (late 2000s)
Tomlin continued recurring and guest TV roles across series (examples cited in sources include Desperate Housewives, guest film/TV roles through the late 2000s).
Recurring on Web Therapy and other TV projects
Tomlin appeared on series such as Web Therapy (2011–2015) and continued TV guest roles.
Narrated HBO's An Apology to Elephants — Emmy win
Tomlin narrated the HBO documentary short An Apology to Elephants and received an Emmy in 2013 for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance.
Married longtime partner Jane Wagner
Tomlin married longtime collaborator and partner Jane Wagner in 2013 after decades together personally and professionally.
Awarded Kennedy Center Honor
Tomlin received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2014 in recognition of her contributions to American culture.
Starred in Grandma
Tomlin starred in the critically praised film Grandma (2015).
Began starring in Netflix's Grace and Frankie
Tomlin co-starred with Jane Fonda in the Netflix series Grace and Frankie, which premiered in 2015 and ran seven seasons (2015–2022).
Emmy nominations for Grace and Frankie (multiple)
Tomlin received four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Grace and Frankie (across the show's run).
Received Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
Tomlin was honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award in 2017 for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.
Voiced Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus Rides Again (revival)
Tomlin reprised the voice role of Ms. Frizzle for The Magic School Bus Rides Again (series revival beginning 2017; sources list up to 2021).
Peabody Career Achievement Award
Tomlin received the Peabody Career Achievement Award in 2022 in recognition of her decades-long impact on television, film, theater, and culture.
Starred with Jane Fonda in 80 for Brady and Moving On
Tomlin reunited with Jane Fonda for the films 80 for Brady and Moving On (both released in 2023).
This Is a Recording added to National Recording Registry
The Library of Congress added Tomlin's album This Is a Recording to the National Recording Registry for cultural and historical significance.
Britannica updated profile and continuing recognition
Britannica's Lily Tomlin profile updated (Aug 2, 2025) summarizing career spanning over five decades and listing major awards and credits.
Career tally: Major awards and honors summary
By 2025 Tomlin's career includes seven Emmy Awards, one Grammy, two Tony Awards (including a special Tony), a Kennedy Center honor, a Mark Twain Prize, and a SAG Life Achievement Award (per sources).
Key Achievement Ages
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