Detroit native Lily Tomlin (born 1939) skyrocketed to fame through the eccentric roles she played on the popular television program Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Her uncanny insights into character led to a movie career, beginning with her Oscar-nominated performance in Robert Altman’s Nashville (1975). Additional highlights include 9 to 5 (1980) and All of Me (1984). Tomlin won a Tony Award for her solo performance in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1985–86), written by her longtime partner (now wife) Jane Wagner. Today, she stars in the hit series Grace and Frankie alongside Jane Fonda.
Tomlin’s ascendant career made her the perfect fit for Vanity Fair’s December 1986 “Hall of Fame,” in which she appeared in a similar photograph by Annie Leibovitz. Tomlin was selected for the magazine’s annual feature because in addition to her triumphs, “she lets everyone in on the jokes.”
Lily Tomlin, Ciudad de Nueva York
Lily Tomlin, nacida en Detroit en 1939, saltó rápidamente a la fama gracias a sus papeles excéntricos en el popular programa televisivo Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Su aguda percepción del carácter humano la llevó a una carrera en el cine que comenzó con una nominación para el Oscar por su actuación en Nashville (1975), dirigida por Robert Altman. Otros éxitos fueron 9 to 5 (1980) y All of Me (1984). Tomlin ganó un Premio Tony por su monólogo teatral En busca de signos de vida inteligente en el universo (1985–86), escrito por su pareja de muchos años (ahora esposa) Jane Wagner. Actualmente coprotagoniza con Jane Fonda la exitosa serie Grace and Frankie.
La pujante carrera de Tomlin la hizo perfecta para el “Salón de la Fama” de Vanity Fair en diciembre de 1986, donde apareció en una foto similar de Annie Leibovitz. Tomlin fue seleccionada porque, además de sus triunfos, “ella comparte el chiste con todos”.
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art (Gift of Betsy Karel) The Corcoran Gallery of Art, one of the country’s first private museums, was established in 1869 to promote art and American genius. In 2014 the Works from the Corcoran Collection were distributed to institutions in Washington, D.C.
