ACTOR · BORN 1939
Lily Tomlin
- Born
- 1 September 1939, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Known for
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), The Simpsons (1989), The X-Files (1993), NCIS (2003)
29 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (29)
- #001
Lily Tomlin appeared on stage as her own opening act during her one-woman show in Las Vegas. In that performance she played Tommy Velour, a greasy and affable male nightclub singer. The character became a memorable moment that showcased her versatility and command of comedy.
- #002
In 2014 she was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor. That same year she shared the prestigious award with leading figures of the arts world including Al Green, Tom Hanks, Patricia McBride and Sting. The award was regarded as a recognition of Tomlin's long-standing and impressive contributions to American culture.
- #003
On 31 December 2013 she married her partner of 42 years, Jane Wagner. The couple had met in March 1971, and the long relationship became a symbol of stability and commitment in Tomlin's private life. The marriage was also a significant moment for the visibility of same-sex couples.
- #004
Before one of her one-woman shows in New York, she appeared in front of the theatre in a Red Cross nurse's uniform. She handed out coffee to the audience waiting in line and interacted with them. The gesture demonstrated the warm and unconventional bond Tomlin built with her audiences and added a playful touch to the pre-show atmosphere.
- #005
In 2002 she received the Lifetime Achievement Honor at the Women's Image Network (WIN) Awards. The award was presented by the famous director David O. Russell, who dropped to one knee and serenaded Tomlin like an opera singer. This unusual presentation made this important moment in Tomlin's career even more memorable.
- #006
She trained in acting with Charles Nelson Reilly, who during that time introduced her to the works of the monologist Ruth Draper. Draper's multi-character storytelling style was a major source of inspiration in shaping Tomlin's own unique approach to comedy and performance. This influence was clearly reflected in the memorable characters Tomlin created throughout her career.
- #007
Lily Tomlin is a very close friend of the famous actress and activist Jane Fonda. The two formed a strong friendship both on and off screen. Their partnership in particular on the series 'Grace and Frankie' drew attention as a reflection of this friendship and their rapport.
- #008
Before choosing acting as a career, she took pre-medical education at Wayne State University. Although she was interested in science and medicine during this period, her passion for art prevailed and she turned to acting in a decision that would change her life. This transition is a sign of her versatile character and her courage.
- #009
She studied drama at the famous HB Studio in New York City's Greenwich Village. The studio is a long-established institution from which many successful actors have emerged. Tomlin's training there strengthened her foundation in the performing arts and formed an important step in her later successful career.
- #010
One of her first 'professional' jobs was waiting tables at the Howard Johnson's restaurant on Broadway near Times Square. Her witty remarks to customers and staff were heard over the restaurant's microphone and quickly drew attention. This unexpected situation won her her first big-city audience and was an early sign of her comedic talent.
- #011
In 1971 she won a Grammy Award with her comedy album 'This is a Recording'. She was also honoured with two Tony Awards, in 1977 and 1986. These awards confirmed her versatile talent in both music and theatre and her lasting contributions to the world of comedy.
- #012
In 2003 she won the Kennedy Center's prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The prize was given for her extraordinary contributions to American humour and placed her among the living legends in this field. By receiving this honour, Tomlin once again proved her place in the world of humour.
- #013
She won two Tony Awards: a special award in 1977 and the Best Actress (Play) Award in 1986 for her one-woman show 'The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe'. She later performed this show in the film of the same name. The show is regarded as the peak of her multi-character storytelling ability.
- #014
She was initially planned to play the role of Olive Oyl in the film 'Popeye' (1980), with Dustin Hoffman considered for the lead. However, the project underwent changes and Shelley Duvall ultimately took the role opposite Robin Williams. Tomlin's departure from the project led her to follow a different direction in her career.
- #015
In 1993 she gave away strands of her real hair as a bonus to fans who purchased her home video library. This unusual gesture was a sign of the intimate and personal bond Tomlin built with her fans. Such behaviour reinforced her perception as an artist far from the ordinary and unforgettable.
- #016
Lily Tomlin openly acknowledged that she had been in a romantic relationship with Jane Wagner since 1971. This long-term partnership became a symbol of stability and commitment in her private life. By sharing this relationship with the public, Tomlin also contributed to the visibility of gay individuals.
- #017
At the 2012 Women's Image Network (WIN) Awards she was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in the series 'Eastbound & Down'. The nomination was proof of her success and versatility in television comedy. Tomlin also won the appreciation of viewers with her role in the series.
- #018
She was listed as one of 1977's 'Twelve Promising New Actors of the Year' in John Willis's book 'Screen World, Vol. 29'. The list was an important reference identifying the year's most promising actors. Tomlin's inclusion on the list was recorded as a notable achievement in the early period of her career.
- #019
She and Dustin Hoffman were cast to play the leads in the film 'Popeye'. However, the project ended up with changes in the cast, and Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall ultimately shared the lead roles. Tomlin's departure from the project led her to follow a different direction in her career.
- #020
Lily Tomlin was born on the day World War II began. This historical coincidence added an interesting context to her life story. A life that began in the shadow of war formed a striking contrast with her later rise to become an important figure in the world of art.
- #021
Lily Tomlin trained in mime with Paul Curtis. This training contributed to her masterful use of body language and physical comedy. Mime helped Tomlin portray her characters more impressively and expressively in her stage performances.
- #022
At the 2018 Emmy Awards, Lily Tomlin was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Frankie Bergstein in 'Grace and Frankie'. The award, however, went to Rachel Brosnahan for her performance in 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. The nomination was an indication of Tomlin's success in her television career.
- #023
'The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe', staged at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California, won the Touring Production category at the 2003 Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards. The award showed how much Tomlin's unforgettable one-woman show was appreciated in the theater world.
- #024
On March 5, 2006, at the 78th Academy Awards ceremony, Lily Tomlin presented Robert Altman's honorary Oscar alongside Meryl Streep. This moment underscored Tomlin's standing in the film world and the importance of her collaboration with Altman. At the ceremony, Tomlin paid tribute to Altman's career.
- #025
On May 25, 1999, Lily Tomlin appeared as a guest speaker for the 'Exceptional Experiences' lecture series at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The event showed her willingness to share her art and experiences. With this talk, Tomlin inspired her audience.
- #026
Around 1980, Lily Tomlin was set to appear in a film titled 'Illegitimate', but the film was never made. This information was first reported in 'Playboy' magazine. Tomlin's inability to take part in the project remained a collaboration that never came to be in film history.
- #027
Marlon Brando said of Tomlin: 'My God, how angry. Wow! She gives me the impression of someone blazing with rage, coming out of a face that laughs with crinkled eyes. Acid. Funny, but all the humor comes from anguish, rage and pain. Most humor is like that.' These words strikingly express the depth and complexity of Tomlin's comedy.
- #028
Lily Tomlin appeared in a film selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically' significant: 'Nashville' (1975). The film is regarded as one of the masterpieces of American cinema. Tomlin's performance in the film cemented her place in film history.
- #029
Lily was chosen by Brad Bird to voice the character 'Edna Mode'. However, upon hearing Bird demonstrate what he wanted, she told him he had already achieved it and did not need her. This humble attitude showed Tomlin's professionalism and her collaborative nature.
Continue through the archive
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
Sources for the entries on this page
- IMDb IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work