01of 17Lily Tomlin as a ChildCourtesy Lily TomlinBorn Mary Jean Tomlin in Detroit, Michigan in 1939, she was always drawn to performing. “I used to make material for us to do for shows in the backyard when I was about this age,” Tomlin (with brother Richard in 1945) told PEOPLE.
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Lily Tomlin as a Child
Courtesy Lily Tomlin
Born Mary Jean Tomlin in Detroit, Michigan in 1939, she was always drawn to performing. “I used to make material for us to do for shows in the backyard when I was about this age,” Tomlin (with brother Richard in 1945) told PEOPLE.
02of 17Lily Tomlin with Her ParentsCourtesy Lily TomlinTomlin with parents Guy and Lillie Mae and brother Richard.She initially attended Wayne State University with the intention of studying medicine, but soon left school to pursue a career onstage and moved to New York in 1965.
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Lily Tomlin with Her Parents
Tomlin with parents Guy and Lillie Mae and brother Richard.
She initially attended Wayne State University with the intention of studying medicine, but soon left school to pursue a career onstage and moved to New York in 1965.
03of 17Lily Tomlin on Laugh-InCourtesy Lily TomlinAfter gaining a following for her work in West Village comedy shows and appearances onThe Merv Griffin Show, Tomlin was invited to join the cast ofRowan & Martin’sLaugh-Inin 1969.She’s seen here as her 5-year-oldLaugh-Incharacter Edith Ann, with Richard Pryor. “I had fun acting like a kid in that chair!” she told PEOPLE.
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Lily Tomlin on Laugh-In
After gaining a following for her work in West Village comedy shows and appearances onThe Merv Griffin Show, Tomlin was invited to join the cast ofRowan & Martin’sLaugh-Inin 1969.She’s seen here as her 5-year-oldLaugh-Incharacter Edith Ann, with Richard Pryor. “I had fun acting like a kid in that chair!” she told PEOPLE.
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Lily Tomlin’s Emmy Awards
Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
05of 17Lily Tomlin in NashvilleParamount/Getty ImagesHer debut film appearance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and marked a long collaboration with director Robert Altman.
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Lily Tomlin in Nashville
Paramount/Getty Images
Her debut film appearance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and marked a long collaboration with director Robert Altman.
06of 17Lily Tomlin in 9 to 5Steve Schapiro/Corbis via GettyTomlin starred in some major movie hits, including 1980’s9 to 5(seen here with Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda). “I remember the day Dolly came on-set and played the ‘9 to 5’ song for us with her fingernails!” Tomlin told PEOPLE. “I just thought, ‘This movie is going to make it because of that song.’ "
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Lily Tomlin in 9 to 5
Steve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty
Tomlin starred in some major movie hits, including 1980’s9 to 5(seen here with Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda). “I remember the day Dolly came on-set and played the ‘9 to 5’ song for us with her fingernails!” Tomlin told PEOPLE. “I just thought, ‘This movie is going to make it because of that song.’ "
07of 17Lily Tomlin at the EmmysGettyIn 1984 she arrived at the Emmys dressed as herLaugh-Incharacter Ernestine (inset). “Joan Collins was going up the stairs in front of me, and all the fans let out a big roar when they saw Ernestine,” Tomlin recalls. “Joan turned around, thinking it was for her, and she looked over and saw Ernestine and doubled over laughing. I loved her ever after!”
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Lily Tomlin at the Emmys
Getty
In 1984 she arrived at the Emmys dressed as herLaugh-Incharacter Ernestine (inset). “Joan Collins was going up the stairs in front of me, and all the fans let out a big roar when they saw Ernestine,” Tomlin recalls. “Joan turned around, thinking it was for her, and she looked over and saw Ernestine and doubled over laughing. I loved her ever after!”
08of 17Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s Love StoryCourtesy Lily TomlinTomlinsays the secret to her more than 50-year relationship with her wifeand longtime writing partner, Jane Wagner, is mutual “admiration and respect.”
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Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s Love Story
Tomlinsays the secret to her more than 50-year relationship with her wifeand longtime writing partner, Jane Wagner, is mutual “admiration and respect.”
09of 17Lily Tomlin’s Friends in ComedyAnn Clifford/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/GettyShe calls herAll of Mecostar Steve Martin “very centered and very gentlemanly.” On-set he was “very subdued and played cards with the crew. Then suddenly he would be inspired and just launch into the scene.”
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Lily Tomlin’s Friends in Comedy
Ann Clifford/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty
She calls herAll of Mecostar Steve Martin “very centered and very gentlemanly.” On-set he was “very subdued and played cards with the crew. Then suddenly he would be inspired and just launch into the scene.”
10of 17Lily Tomlin’s Comedy CareerBuena Vista PicturesTomlin andBig Businesscostar Bette Midler “played twins and had to constantly change and go back out. I’d say, ‘Ten dollars to the one who gets ready first,’ so we had a little incentive.”
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Lily Tomlin’s Comedy Career
Buena Vista Pictures
Tomlin andBig Businesscostar Bette Midler “played twins and had to constantly change and go back out. I’d say, ‘Ten dollars to the one who gets ready first,’ so we had a little incentive.”
11of 17Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s WeddingPaul ZoneWagner and Tomlinproudly picked up their marriage licensea few days before exchanging vows on Dec. 31, 2013.
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Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s Wedding
Paul Zone
Wagner and Tomlinproudly picked up their marriage licensea few days before exchanging vows on Dec. 31, 2013.
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Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s Tony Nominations
HENNY RAY ABRAMS/AFP via Getty Images
13of 17Lily Tomlin on The West WingWarner Bros Tv/Kobal/ShutterstockThe actress (pictured here with Martin Sheen) had a memorable role as Deborah Fiderer, President Josiah Bartlet’s no-nonsense executive secretary.
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Lily Tomlin on The West Wing
Warner Bros Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock
The actress (pictured here with Martin Sheen) had a memorable role as Deborah Fiderer, President Josiah Bartlet’s no-nonsense executive secretary.
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Lily Tomlin Wins a Kennedy Center Honor
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
15of 17Lily Tomlin, the ActivistJoe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesIn addition to her many groundbreaking moments on stage and screen, the actress is a tireless crusader for causes that matter to her, whether it’sstumping for for the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970stogetting arrested while demonstrating for climate action and justice in the 2010s. Here, she joinsthe Women’s March in Jan. 2017.
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Lily Tomlin, the Activist
Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
In addition to her many groundbreaking moments on stage and screen, the actress is a tireless crusader for causes that matter to her, whether it’sstumping for for the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970stogetting arrested while demonstrating for climate action and justice in the 2010s. Here, she joinsthe Women’s March in Jan. 2017.
16of 17Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda’s Lifelong FriendshipMelissa Moseley for NetflixTomlin reunited with Fonda for their current Netflix comedyGrace and Frankie.They play women who become friends after learning their husbands are gay and in love with each other. “I just laugh when I’m around her,” Tomlin says.
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Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda’s Lifelong Friendship
Melissa Moseley for Netflix
Tomlin reunited with Fonda for their current Netflix comedyGrace and Frankie.They play women who become friends after learning their husbands are gay and in love with each other. “I just laugh when I’m around her,” Tomlin says.
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Lily Tomlin’s Life Achievement SAG Award
Kevork Djansezian/WireImage
source: people.com
