- Carol Burnett has always been candid about her reasons for undergoing plastic surgery.
- She had always wanted to have work done on her chin for a specific reason.
- Now in her 90s, the veteran star remains active, barely feeling the passage of time, despite her advancing years.
A headshot portrait of Carol Burnett on January 1, 1955 | Source: Getty Images
Over the years, Burnett has explored plastic surgery. With the help of AI technology, we take a speculative look at how she might appear today had she not opted for these cosmetic enhancements.
Carol Burnett poses for a portrait on January 1, 1958 | Source: Getty Images
Carol Burnett’s roots are modest. Despite experiencing significant sadness in her early life, she recalls her childhood fondly. Her parents, both of whom struggled with alcoholism, separated when she was young.
The highly awarded Hollywood veteran star revealed she was raised by her grandmother and felt loved, regardless of their challenging circumstances.
Carol Burnett poses backstage at “The Garry Moore Show,” on January 1, 1960 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
“We were poor, but everybody in the neighborhood was. Her rent was a dollar a day. $30 a month was our rent and sometimes we barely made that, but we did save our pennies,” Burnett recounted about her life with her grandmother.
Carol Burnett photographed on January 1, 1960 | Source: Getty Images
The duo moved from Texas to a block north of Hollywood Boulevard, living in an apartment building where Burnett’s mother resided down the hall.
Their home featured a Murphy bed, and Burnett often slept on the couch. Despite their limited income, she and her grandmother saved every penny to see at least four movies a week.
Carol Burnett pictured on January 1, 1960 | Source: Getty Images
“The movies were my salvation. I would go and I’d see Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, you know, these wonderful MGM musicals. […] Everything was always upbeat,” Burnett reflected in an April 2024 interview.
Carol Burnett pictured in her apartment on November 14, 1960 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
She explained that the lack of cynicism in the 1940s shaped her into a perennial optimist. “I just had this naive optimistic quality and I think it came from the movies, that everything was going to work out okay,” the star admitted.
This is a mindset that undoubtedly contributed to her successful career in show business. Burnett’s rise to fame was marked by a series of guest appearances on television shows and specials.
Her breakthrough came with her own comedy-variety program, “The Carol Burnett Show,” which premiered in 1967 and ran for 11 seasons until 1978.
Throughout her prolific career, Burnett has starred in several films and Broadway shows, earning numerous accolades, including Emmy and Golden Globe awards.
Carol Burnett poses with the Outstanding Variety Special award during the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys on January 7, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Now 91 years old, having celebrated her birthday in April 2024, Burnett shows no signs of slowing down. She recently joined the cast of the new drama series “Palm Royale,” starring alongside Ricky Martin and Laura Dern.
Burnett recalled how she reacted to the news that she would be part of the cast in a March 2024 interview. When approached about the role, she did not hesitate.
“When they called me about doing it, I didn’t even have to read a script,” she explained. “I said, ‘I’m in,’ because of who I would be working with, and that was it. And then I read the script and that was the icing on the cake.”
Ahead of her birthday the following month, Burnett was asked how she would celebrate the special occasion. She expressed hope for a second season of the show, which would keep her busy—a prospect she relishes.
“I’m just happy to be working and that I’ve got all my parts. I have my hips and my knees — and I think my brain — so as long as I can keep that up and work, then I want to work,” said Burnett.
Earlier in her career, the singer had more on her plate than just work. In the early ’80s, she underwent surgery to enhance her chin. “I always wanted to do it, so if it rains, I can feel it,” she stated in a 1983 interview.
Carol Burnett poses for a portrait on January 1, 1980 | Source: Getty Images
The award-winning comedian revealed she had a “weak chin.” The procedure was suggested by an oral surgeon while she was accompanying her middle daughter.
“So, he talked to me. And he said, you know, I can pull your chin out about three millimeters,” Burnett recounted. After the surgery, Marlon Brando even called her to inquire about the experience for a relative.
Carol Burnett pictured on January 1, 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Decades after the operation, one might wonder how Burnett might have looked if she had opted against the surgery. The following AI-generated images offer a glimpse into an alternate aesthetic reality for Burnett, showcasing her natural aging process.
Carol Burnett attends the Apple TV+ “Palm Royale” official Emmy FYC event at Hollywood Athletic Club on May 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
In the following image, Burnett appears as a mature woman with light brown hair styled in a soft, upward swoop at the front. Her fair complexion is marked by fine lines around her eyes and mouth. Her hazel eyes are bright and clear, set beneath finely arched eyebrows.
Carol Burnett via AI | Source: Midjourney
In this portrayal, Burnett’s hair is styled similarly but appears slightly more voluminous and reddish-brown. Her skin shows more pronounced aging signs such as deeper lines and some age spots, particularly around her eyes. The celebrity’s lips are fuller, and the overall facial expression is more serious compared to the first image.
Carol Burnett via AI | Source: Midjourney
This image features Burnett with a softer expression and light makeup that highlights her features gently. Her hair is brown with hints of red, styled neatly with a parting to the side. The public figure’s wrinkles are more visible around her mouth and eyes, giving her a dignified, aged look.
Carol Burnett via AI | Source: Midjourney
Here, Burnett has her hair in a rich, reddish hue styled elegantly with a voluminous look. The skin appears smoother than in previous images, though natural aging signs like crow’s feet and smile lines are evident. Her eyes are strikingly expressive, complemented by a slight, dignified smile.
Carol Burnett via AI | Source: Midjourney
The actress in this image has a very subtle and serene expression. Her hair is a lighter shade of red and styled in a soft, flowing manner that covers her face gently. The signs of aging are gracefully displayed with delicate lines around her eyes and mouth.
Carol Burnett via AI | Source: Midjourney
In the final image, Burnett has a vibrant, expressive face with her hair in a bright reddish tone, slightly tousled for a more casual look. Her skin shows signs of aging gracefully with more evident lines around her eyes and mouth. She has a gentle smile and sparkling eyes.
Carol Burnett via AI | Source: Midjourney
Burnett has reached old age and openly discussed her experiences with aging. Ahead of her 90th birthday in April 2023, the Grammy Award winner reflected on the swift passage of time, feeling much younger than her years.
“I can’t wrap my head around it. I still feel like I’m about 11, but I’m amazed. It sure went fast. But I’m glad because I’ve got all my parts—I’ve got my hips, I got my knees, and I’ve got my brain, so I’m happy about that,” Burnett shared.
Carol Burnett arrives at the world premiere of “Palm Royale,” 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The esteemed movie star has been making audiences laugh for years. Originally aspiring to be a journalist, Burnett found her calling in live performance after enrolling in a theater class at UCLA. “The audience laughed, and I thought, whoa, I love this feeling,” Burnett recalled, and she has continued to entertain audiences ever since.