Mary Jean Tomlin, (later Lily Tomlin), was born on September 1, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. Her father was a factory worker and her mother was a nurse's aide. Early on, Tomlin loved the comedy of Lucille Ball and Imogene Coca, among others. After high school, Tomlin started studying medicine at Wayne State University in Detroit, but she also took some courses in theater at the college. Those classes brought out her true love of comedy, and they would also help to shape her future. Tomlin quit college and started performing her stand-up comedy routines at the local establishments. In 1965, her comedic talents took her to New York City, where Tomlin's first break came when she appeared on "The Merv Griffin Show" later that same year. She also appeared on the popular "The Garry Moore Show" in 1966.

Tomlin was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Lillie Mae (née Ford), a housewife and nurse's aide, and Guy Tomlin, a factory worker. Tomlin's parents were Southern Baptists who moved to Detroit from Paducah, Kentucky during the Great Depression. She is a 1957 graduate of Cass Technical High School. Tomlin attended Wayne State University, where her interest in the theater and performing arts began. After college, Tomlin began doing stand-up comedy in nightclubs in Detroit and later, in New York City. Her first television appearance was on The Merv Griffin Show in 1965....(read more)

Seniors 2007
The Walker 2007
The Ant Bully 2006
A Prairie Home Companion 2006
Will & Grace (TV Series) 2005
The Simpsons (TV Series) 2005
I Heart Huckabees 2004
The West Wing (TV Series) 2002
Orange County 2002
The Kid 2000
Tea with Mussolini 1999
The X Files (TV Series) 1998
Krippendorf's Tribe 1998
Murphy Brown (TV Series) 1996
Edith Ann's Christmas: Just Say Noel (TV) 1996
Getting Away with Murder 1996
Flirting with Disaster 1996
Homicide: Life on the Street (TV Series) 1996
Blue in the Face 1995
The Magic School Bus (TV Series) 1994
Frasier (TV Series) 1994
Edith Ann: Homeless Go Home (TV) 1994
Edith Ann: A Few Pieces of the Puzzle (TV) 1994
The Beverly Hillbillies 1993
And the Band Played On (TV) 1993
Short Cuts 1993
Shadows and Fog 1992

The Search for Signs of Inteligent Life in the Universe 1991
Big Business 1988
Pryor's Place (TV Series) 1984
All of Me 1984
The Incredible Shrinking Woman 1981
Nine to Five 1980
Moment by Moment 1978
Saturday Night Live (TV Series) 1977
The Late Show 1977
The Lily Tomlin Special (TV) 1975
Nashville 1975
Lily (TV) 1973
Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers 1972
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) 1969
Letters to Laugh-In (TV Series) 1969
The Music Scene (TV Series) 1969
The Garry Moore Show (TV Series) 1958

*U.S. Comedy Arts Festival: Career Tribute, 2002
*WinFemme Film Festival: WIN Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002
*Provincetown International Film Festival: Lily Award, 2000
*Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program, "The Magic School Bus," 1995
*Golden Globe: Best Ensemble Cast, "Short Cuts," 1994
*American Comedy: Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, "Short Cuts," 1994
*Venice Film Festival: Best Ensemble Cast, "Short Cuts," 1993
*American Comedy: Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role), "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," 1992
*Women in Film Crystal: Crystal Award, 1992
*Seattle International Film Festival: Best Actress, "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," 1991
*American Comedy: Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic, 1987, 1988
*American Comedy: Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy, 1987
*Tony: Best Actress (Play), "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," 1986
*Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program, "Lily: Sold Out," 1981
*Fantafestival: Best Actress, "The Incredible Shrinking Woman," 1981
*Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Special, "The Paul Simon Special," 1978
*Berlin International Film Festival: Best Actress, "The Late Show," 1977
*Tony: Special Award, 1977
*Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Special, "The Lily Tomlin Special," 1976
*Kansas City Film Critics Circle: Best Supporting Actress, "Nashville," 1976
*National Society of Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress, "Nashville,"1975
*New York Film Critics Circle: Best Supporting Actress, "Nashville," 1975
*Emmy: Best Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music, "Lily," 1974
*Grammy: Album "This is a Recording," 1971