Forget Vanity: Carol Burnett At 93 Has A Hilariously Realistic Take On Her Body

As Carol Burnett ages, she only becomes increasingly determined to take herself less seriously. When People asked "The Carol Burnett Show" alum how she felt about the prospect of turning 90 during an April 2023 interview, she replied, "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 — got my hips, I got my knees and I've got my brain, so I'm happy about that." 

Meanwhile, when Burnett appeared on the "Good Hang" podcast in February 2026, host Amy Poehler asked her to share "the best part about being in [her] 90s." True to form, the comedian answered, "That you're not 105." Burnett took an equally lighthearted approach while discussing her age with E! News in an October 2024 interview, saying that by the time she entered her 90s, she was simply grateful that she was still alive and still had all her bearings. With all this in mind, there's no doubt that Burnett has plenty of personality traits that help people live longer. 

For one, she is grateful for the little things. A 2024 study in JAMA Psychiatry found that women who were the most grateful about their lives had reduced their risk of all-cause mortality by 9%. Chatting with CNN, Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, the senior author of the study, explained how practicing gratitude could improve mental health and specifically help those who had been dealing with minor depressive symptoms. Even Dr. Philip Watkins, a professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University, pointed out that studies had indicated that practicing gratitude could help people feel happier and flourish more.

During a March 2024 Harper's Bazaar interview, Carol Burnett was asked why she continued to pack her schedule with work at the age of 90. "I want to have fun," she replied. "It's not like I have to be busy all the time!" However, the "Better Call Saul" actor's decision to continue working may have brought her more than joy and fun. 

A 2025 report from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that two-thirds of people who remained employed in their 50s found that working positively impacted their physical and mental health and/or their overall well-being. Around 46% of these people also noted that the reason they continued to work was that they wanted to have a sense of purpose. They also agreed that working had aided in their brain function. Unsurprisingly, research has shown that the secret to slowing down cognitive decline as you age is to delay retirement by a couple of years. 

While it's important to stay busy as you get older, it's equally important to listen to your body's cues. In an April 2026 chat with People, Burnett confirmed that she had no interest in playing lead roles anymore, explaining, "I'm really not a fan anymore of getting up at the crack of dawn and putting on makeup and all of that." However, that didn't mean she intended to fully retire. At 93, the "Annie" star sought to work as a writer and a director while also making cameo appearances in works of creators she admired.