Lily Tomlin Biography

Lily Tomlin was born Mary Jean Tomlin on September 1, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, USA, to Guy Tomlin and Lillie Mae Tomlin. Her father was a factory worker and her mother was a nurse’s aide. Their family had relocated from Kentucky to Detroit during the Great Depression.

Tomlin did her schooling at ‘Cass Technical High School.’ She then attended ‘Wayne State University’ where she showed great interest in theater and performing arts. Thereafter, she started doing stand-up comedy in New York City.

In 1969, after Tomlin appeared on ABC’s ‘The Music Scene’ as a hostess, she became part of NBC’s popular comedy show ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.’ She appeared in the show regularly, playing various characters.

In 1971, Tomlin came up with her first comedy video called ‘This Is A Recording’ on ‘Polydor Records.’ It was based on ‘Ernestine,’ one of her characters from ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.’ It became the highest-charting album by a female comedian.

In 1972, she released her second comedy album ‘And That’s The Truth,’ which was based on ‘Edith Ann,’ her character from ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.’ She received a ‘Grammy’ nomination for ‘Best Comedy Recording’ for the album.

From 1975 to 1984, Tomlin landed various comic roles in movies like ‘Nashville,’ which was directed by Robert Altman, ‘Nine to Five,’ a working women’s vindictive comedy, and ‘All of Me,’ where she starred opposite Steve Martin.

In 1985, Tomlin did a one-woman Broadway show called ‘The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,’ which was written and directed by Jane Wagner. Tomlin won a ‘Tony Award’ for the show, which was later adapted into a motion picture.

In 1989, she did another motion picture called ‘Big Business,’ a comedy movie, in which she starred alongside Bette Midler. Tomlin and Midler played twin sisters in the film.

From 1994 to 1997, she was part of an animated television series called ‘The Magic School Bus.’ She voiced ‘Ms. Frizzle’ in the series. Around the same time, she appeared in a sitcom TV series titled ‘Murphy Brown.’

In 2005-06, she appeared in the popular sitcom ‘Will & Grace’ in which she played the character of ‘Margot.’ Around the same time, she frequently appeared in ‘The West Wing.’

From 2008 to 2009, Tomlin played a recurring role in the famous television series ‘Desperate Housewives’ where she played ‘Roberta Simmons.’ She also appeared in an episode called ‘The Last of the Red Hat Mamas’ in ‘The Simpsons.’

In 2012, Tomlin made a guest appearance in the HBO series ‘Eastbound and Down.’ She also acted in a TV series titled ‘Malibu Country,’ starring alongside Reba McEntire.

Tomlin starred in the comedy-drama film ‘Grandma’ in 2015.

In 2017, she reprised her voice role as ‘Professor Frizzle’ in ‘The Magic School Bus Rides Again,’ a sequel to ‘The Magic School Bus.’ The show ran for 2 seasons and ran for 2 seasons in 2021.

She voiced ‘May Parker’ in the 2018 American computer-animated superhero film ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.’ The film garnered wide praise from critics and grossed over $384.3 million at the box office. In 2022, she starred as ‘Evelyn’ in the comedy film ‘Moving On.’ The following year, she was seen in the sports comedy film ‘80 for Brady’ directed by Kyle Marvin. The film received a mixed response from critics.

Tomlin has received many prestigious awards like the ‘Primetime Emmys,’ a special ‘Tony Award’ for her Broadway show, a ‘Tony Award’ for ‘Best Actress,’ ‘Women in Film Crystal Award,’ ‘Mark Twain Prize,’ and a ‘Grammy Award.’

She received the ‘Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award’ in 2017.

In 1971, Tomlin met writer/producer Jane Wagner. Tomlin invited Wagner to work with her on a comedy album and eventually started dating her. She has always been quite open about her sexual orientation.

On December 31, 2013, Tomlin and Wagner married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles, after 42 years of courtship.

Lily Tomlin is an accomplished actress, comedian, and writer known for her versatile talents in both film and television.

She is also a talented voice actress, providing the iconic voice of Ms. Valerie Frizzle in the animated children's series "The Magic School Bus."

Tomlin is a proud advocate for animal rights and has been involved in numerous campaigns and initiatives to protect and care for animals.

In addition to her successful entertainment career, Lily Tomlin is also known for her philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes and organizations.

Tomlin has been honored with numerous awards throughout her career, including multiple Emmy Awards and a prestigious Kennedy Center Honor.