Carol Burnett Is ‘as Sharp as She Ever Was’ at 91: ‘She’s Very Content With Where She’s at in Life’

Carol Burnett’s on a late-in-life adventure at age 91 and there’s no slowing her down as a source exclusively tells Closer her prescription for longevity is to keep moving. 

“She’s as sharp as she ever was and doesn’t want to ever retire,” the insider says. “She’s always coming up with things to do entertainment-wise and she’s still very much in demand in Hollywood.” 

If anyone had thought that last year’s NBC-produced special, Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love, was intended to be a send off, the iconic comedian set out to prove them wrong. Most recently, she costarred alongside Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, and Laura Dern in the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale, for which her performance garnered almost universal praise from critics and fans. 

People raved about Carol’s performance, saying, “The strongest performance is Burnett’s as the aunt … Burnett plays Norma with an unforgiving toughness — even when she’s comatose — and, by some miracle, she projects the slapstick kick of her old CBS comedy show.”

One fan reviewer wrote, “What a treat to have a 90-year-old Carol Burnette still funny without saying a word,” with another adding, “The all star cast, most notably Carol Burnett did an exceptional job.”

Even though Rolling Stone called the show as a whole a “waste of A-list talent,” the publication made a point to single out the nonagenarian’s performance as a bright spot. 

Still giving electrifying and hilarious performances after many decades in Hollywood, the source says, “She gives 91 a good name,” adding, “She might be the busiest of the 90 bunch.” 

Another one of Carol’s essentials for feeling young and staying keen is keeping busy even when there’s down time. “When she’s not working, she’s socializing with friends and organizing teas and game nights,” the source says, adding that even when “on her own, she’s a whiz at crossword puzzles.” 

For the comedian, who once said, “I have always grown from my problems and challenges, from the things that don’t work out; that’s when I’ve really learned,” old age is a blessing now that she can reflect on her experiences. That’s not to discount the heartbreak she’s endured, though.

Her first kid, Carrie Hamilton, whom she shares with the late television producer and actor Joe Hamilton, died at age 38 from complications of lung cancer in January 2002. Her daughter’s death deeply affected Carol, with whom she had bonded closely over sobriety. “I think of her every day,” the television star told People. “She never leaves me. I just feel her.” In 2010, she worked to open the Anaheim University Carrie Hamilton Entertainment Institute, dedicated in her memory.

Her other daughter, Erin, 58, also suffered from addiction issues, which forced Carol to petition for custody of her grandson, Dylan. “Throughout her adult life, and since Dylan’s birth, Erin has suffered from severe substance abuse and addiction issues,” read her court filing.

“She’s suffered a lot of tragedy over the years,” the source adds, “her daughter Carrie’s passing, her other daughter Erin’s addiction issues, but personally she’s very content with where she’s at in life.” 

“She wouldn’t change a thing.”