Vicki Lawrence Shows Her Neck at 74 After CIU Diagnosis: She Looks Ageless While Getting Support From Husband Two Kids

• “Mama’s Family” star Vicki Lawrence is a happy wife and mom at 74!
• The actress is not shy about showing her neck at 74: the photo caused a reaction from the fans.
• Despite her diagnosis, Lawrence lives a happy life.

Veteran actress Vicki Lawrence is a multi-talented Hollywood star best known for her iconic role as Thelma Harper in the NBC sitcom, “Mama’s Family.”

However, Lawrence is more than just an actor. In addition to her extensive TV work, she is a comedian, a chart-topping singer, a game show host, and a talk show host.

Actress Vicki Lawrence poses for a promotional photo for the ABC TV series “Mean Jeans” on January 1, 1981 | Source: Getty Images

The California native’s showbiz career began at the age of 17. While in high school, she joined a musical group and entered the Miss Fireball contest hosted by the local fire department in her hometown.

A newspaper reporter covering the event at the time penned that young Lawrence, who sported a fresh haircut, had an uncanny resemblance to the legendary actress Carol Burnett.

Upon seeing the article, Lawrence sent the newspaper clipping to Burnett and a fan letter. Burnett surprised her with an expected response as she called and said she wanted to attend the Miss Fireball Contest.

Clockwise from top: Cast portrait of Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, Carol Burnett and Tim Conway in “‘The Carol Burnett Show” on January 1, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

Burnett, who was pregnant then, indeed made an appearance at the event to watch Hollywood’s future star. Lawrence rose to prominence after starring alongside her in the CBS comedy show, “The Carol Burnett Show,” which aired from 1967 to 1978.

Several years later, she became a household name starring in her show, “Mama’s Family,” as the beloved Thelma Harper, better known as “Mama.” Burnett also starred in the series.

(L-R) Actress Betty White as Ellen Harper Jackson, Vicki Lawrence as Thelma ‘Mama’ Crowley Harper and Rue McClanahan as Aunt Fran Crowley in the sitcom “Mama’s Family” on July 21, 1983 | Source: Getty Images

The popular sitcom ran for six seasons from 1983 to 1990. Interestingly, although Lawrence portrayed the family matriarch, she was actually the youngest cast member aside from the grandkids in the series.

The red-haired was reportedly younger than Burnett, Betty White, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman, Rue McClanahan, Beverly Archer, and Harvey Korman. Only the actors who played grandchildren, Sonja, Buzz, and Bubba, were younger.

Lawrence Is a Happy Wife of 48 Years Despite Her Diagnosis

Lawrence has been married twice. At the peak of her career at age 23, she married her first husband, country singer Bobby Russell in 1972.

The couple soon developed a working relationship when they collaborated on a song called “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which became a hit topping the charts.

A year later, in 1973, Lawrence added the song to her album of the same name. Unfortunately, they divorced following her debut album.

After the union ended, Lawrence focused on her work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” where she met her now-second husband, Al Schultz.

Schultz worked as a make-up artist on the variety show then, and Burnett mentioned him to Lawrence after seeing how attractive he was. Lawrence once said:

“Carol found my husband for me. Al [Shultz] had just gotten into the make-up union, and Carol was sitting in her dressing room, and Al walked by. She told her secretary that he was adorable and wanted him on the show.”

Burnett’s decision brought Lawrence and Schultz together, and the lovebirds tied the knot on November 16, 1974. They had two kids, son Garrett and daughter Courtney – and have been blissfully married ever since.

In a May 2019 Facebook post, Lawrence gushed about her spouse of 48 years alongside a throwback photo of the couple donning matching black outfits. She captioned the post: “#fbf# It’s #theweekend Spend it with someone you #love I love #thisguy…for 45 years now.”

As a wife and a mom, Lawrence is now in her seventies. When she turned 74 on March 26, 2023, she paid a birthday tribute to herself while referencing her neck.

The TV star, who has skin problems and was diagnosed with CIU, posted a photo of herself wearing a purple top and wrote, “A serious look for a serious neck mess. I am in #serious trouble. $eriously! #happybirthday to me.”

Regardless of her concern, fans complimented her. One user said, “What is the ‘neck mess’? You look fabulous. Happy Birthday!” Another person noted, “Mama, you never age.”

A third social media user penned, “Happy birthday!!! You are one class act.” Another stated, “Happy Birthday Vicki. Enjoy your special day. You look fabulous.”

What Happened to Lawrence’s Health?

Lawrence has been diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), an unknown skin condition characterized by hives lasting more than six weeks with no identifiable cause, per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Because the condition is not widely known, Lawrence decided to raise awareness and became the spokesperson of CIU & You, an educational campaign.

In an August 2017 interview, the “Eunice” star was asked how she knew she had the condition. It all started several years ago when she walked her dogs, only to spot a hive suddenly on her palm.

Once she arrived home, they had gotten worse. “The welts kept coming, and they started to merge. They looked like continents, Lawrence recounted. In an attempt to determine the cause, she became unsuccessful.

The mother of two then decided to be reactive by avoiding possible factors that could have contributed to it. She changed her soap, put her hands in cold water, and refrained from drinking red wine.

Lawrence was tested for multiple things to determine what was wrong with her. Finally, following six weeks, her allergist told her she had CIU.

The “Laverne & Shirley” alum said many people assume they did something wrong once diagnosed with the condition, which is not the case because the cause is unidentifiable. When asked what she struggles with the most about her illness, she revealed “itching.”

In her efforts to spread awareness, Lawrence wants those suffering from CIU to know they are not alone in seeking answers and tackling the condition.

Despite her diagnosis, the famed star still looks happy. In March 2023, she went on a date night with her son Garrett as they attended an NBC special for Burnett’s 90th birthday. The mother and son duo were all smiles at the event as they posed for a snap with Garrett’s arm wrapped around his famous parent.

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