The best friends are there for you in sun and rain. When the going gets tough, those who truly matter are more than willing to show up for you.

Two peas in a pod, Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball enjoyed a prosperous working relationship and an equally rewarding friendship.

During an interview with Interview Magazine, Burnett explained that the two met years before The Carol Burnett Show had premiered on television.

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“She was adorable and very smart, I have to say,” said Burnett of Ball. “We became very good friends. She came to see me when I was doing an old Broadway show called Once Upon a Mattress, and she came backstage to my dressing room and was so supportive. She called me “Kid.”

Burnett looked to Ball as both a friend and a mentor. “I think she [Ball] was 22 years older, and she said, 'Kid, if you ever need me for anything, give me a call.'" said Burnett. It wasn’t too long before Burnett took Ball up on her offer, when the young performer was offered the opportunity to create her own variety hour.

“I had a variety hour that I was going to do for ABC or NBC, I can’t remember,” said Burnett. “And they said, “But you need to get a major guest star if you’re going to do this one-hour show.” Burnett invited Ball, who instantly accepted.

“It was 1960-something, and the other guest star was Zero Mostel,” said Burnett. “It was just Lucy, Zero, and me. And we had the best time.” Later, the two women would appear side-by-side in various programs, including Burnett’s own variety show, The Carol Burnett Show.