Vicki Ann Lawrence (née Axelrad; born March 26, 1949), sometimes credited as Vicki Lawrence Schultz, is an American actress, comedian, and pop music singer best known for the several personas she created on CBS’s The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 until 1978. Thelma Harper/Mama, the cruel, uncaring mother of the neurotic, unfortunate Eunice (Burnett), was one of these characters, even though Lawrence is 16 years younger than Burnett. On NBC and then in first-run syndication, Thelma Harper was the principal character of the television situation comedy series Mama’s Family. She also starred in The Cool Kids, a Fox sitcom.
With “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” she became a one-hit-wonder in the United States in 1973. It topped the charts in both the United States and Canada. Lawrence has been nominated for many Emmy Awards and has won one in 1976.
She has also been nominated for many Golden Globes, all for her work on The Carol Burnett Show. In addition, Lawrence has reprised her iconic Thelma Harper/Mama character in several post-Family Mama’s guest TV appearances.
Lawrence made a unique sketch for Betty White’s 2nd Annual 90th Birthday on February 5, 2013.
Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show, which she hosts regularly, is an untelevised stage show.
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