People

Living legends

‘Admission’ star Lily Tomlin still young at heart

 
 

Tomlin
Tomlin
Mike Coppola / Getty Images

For a moment, Lily Tomlin was 73 going on 40.

In the new comedy Admission, starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, Tomlin plays the young-at-heart 70-something feminist mother of Fey’s university admissions officer.

“When we first sat down, I think I’m their age,” Tomlin recalled. “They started asking me about Nine to Five and [ The Incredible] Shrinking Woman.’ Ha … they were like 10, 12 years old [when I did those].”

Like Admission, Tomlin’s story is very much that of a daughter and mother. Born Mary Jean Tomlin, the comic and actress has been paying homage to her mom since the start of her career.

“She lived to be 91 and was somewhat infirmed by the time she was in her late 80s,” Tomlin said. “But she still was funny and wonderful and sweet, so I doubt she felt that old, either.”

On her current ABC sitcom Malibu Country, Tomlin plays the swingin’ mother of a newly single daughter ( Reba McEntire). Tomlin said she asked that her character be renamed Lillie Mae. “I wanted to play someone that age who was just full of life.”

Much of Tomlin’s life has been spent with writer and life partner Jane Wagner.

Contrary to recent reports, Johnny Carson “didn’t out me or try to out me,” Tomlin clarified. “He was just being a host and saying conventional stuff. ‘You’re not married. Don’t you want to have children?’ … [These were things] they would ask a female in the early ’70s.”

Being out certainly hasn’t hurt Tomlin’s career, which includes five Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, two Peabody Awards and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

“I was speaking at [the late Texas governor] Ann Richards’ school in Austin,” Tomlin remembered, noting that the youngsters only knew her as the voice of the inspirational Ms. Frizzle on The Magic School Bus.

“One little girl stands up, and she said, ‘Well, what do you think you’ve contributed to the world with your work?’ I was just stopped dead cold. And I finally said to her, ‘I hope that I’ve made people feel connected to one another.’

“I’d so hoped that she’d had more knowledge of my career so she could say, ‘Well, frankly, here’s what I think.’”

Read more People stories from the Miami Herald

  •  

Sheen

    Celebrity roundup

    Trouble on the ‘Anger Management’ set

    Shocker of shockers: Charlie Sheen is making waves on Anger Management, reportedly forcing out Selma Blair.

  •  

Molina

    As seen on screen

    Alfred Molina talks bringing ‘Monsters’ character to life

    Having done his heavy share of drama, Alfred Molina found more laid-back voice work especially appealing in Monsters University.

  • Palace sheds some light on Kate’s baby plans

    LONDON (AP) – With Prince William and the former Kate Middleton expecting their first child in mid-July – and much of the world interested in the birth of a future monarch – officials at Clarence House have released some of the couple’s plans, although many details are still being kept private. Kate has made several public appearances recently but is expected to keep a low profile in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Here is the latest news about the infant who will, upon entering the world, be third in line for the British throne.

Miami Herald

Join the
Discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere on the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

The Miami Herald uses Facebook's commenting system. You need to log in with a Facebook account in order to comment. If you have questions about commenting with your Facebook account, click here.

Have a news tip? You can send it anonymously. Click here to send us your tip - or - consider joining the Public Insight Network and become a source for The Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

Hide Comments

This affects comments on all stories.

Cancel OK

  • Videos

  • Quick Job Search

Enter Keyword(s) Enter City Select a State Select a Category