R.I.P. Al Schultz, longtime Hollywood makeup artist and Vicki Lawrence's husband

He made up everyone from Archie Bunker to Cher, and fell in love with Vicki Lawrence on the set of The Carol Burnett Show. Schultz was 82.

Shout! Factory, LLC

Al Schultz, who had a long career as a TV makeup artist for beloved sitcoms and was married to Vicki Lawrence for five decades, has passed away.

Schultz started his career in the 1960s, working on NBC shows like Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In and Hollywood Squares

In 1968, a happenstance meeting sparked a relationship that would change Schultz's life. The Makeup Artists Union sent him to CBS Television City, where he walked by Carol Burnett's dressing room. Schultz caught Burnett's eye, and a lifelong friendship was born. 

Burnett made Schultz the head of makeup on The Carol Burnett Show, where he made up not only Burnett and the regular cast, but the revolving door of celebrities that guested on the program. It was while Schultz was working on the show that he met Vicki Lawrence, and the two fell in love.

Lawrence said in an interview with The Archive of American Television that it was Schultz who encouraged her to "unleash the monster" of Mama's character in the now-famous "Elephant Story" blooper, where Lawrence's Mama Harper snaps back at Tim Conway's rambling stories about circus elephants. When Lawrence complained to Schultz, who was doing her makeup, that Conway always got away with changing the script during filming, he simply told her to "get 'em."

Schultz, as head of West Coast makeup at CBS, also worked on such classic shows like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude, and The Sonny and Cher Show.

By the '80s, Schultz decided to step back from the makeup chair in order to spend more time with Lawrence and their children, Garrett and Courtney.

Both Schultz and Lawrence took efforts to prioritize family and the work-life balance that can so easily become skewed in Hollywood. "It can get to where we're working too much together and not playing enough," Lawrence said in an interview with The Sacramento Bee. "We have to keep reminding each other to play more, and we have to put down a mandate that 'we won't talk business tonight.'"

Lawrence and Schultz would have celebrated their 50th anniversary this November. Schultz was 82.

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13 Comments

HopeDuchaine 4 months ago
I love Vicky Lawrence. I watch the original Carol Burnett Show on ME TV and I just love her acting and her ability to maintain her characters through out (Mamma's Family). She could really pass for a relative for Carol Burnett.
LalaLucy 5 months ago
Prayers to Vicki, family, and all those mourning the loss. Really admired their commitment to each other and to family. Such a rarity.
jacko3 5 months ago
GOD Bless the Soul & Legacy of your beloved and talented, Al Schultz
firemandk 5 months ago
Condolences to Vicki and family .....great show, great actors, hilarious .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-h5QrZ1LMs&ab_channel=SimonQX
Biggierat 5 months ago
Had the honor and pleasure of meeting Ms. Lawrence at the Pensacola comic-con last year. She was very gracious with her time at her Q&A. Condolences to her and the family.
Hollie 5 months ago
so when did he pass ? the story never tells you
cperrynaples Hollie 5 months ago
If you check the link, it gives the date of June 19th! Ironically, it was a holiday! i'll tell you one thing: MeTV had better do a tribute to Martin Mull, one of the comedy greats!
tootsieg 5 months ago
Very touching story. Rest in Peace Al Schultz and condolences to his family.
Runeshaper 5 months ago
beautiful story. R.I.P. Al Schultz.
CortneyNicole 5 months ago
My deepest condolences to his family.

Sway 5 months ago
RIP Al Schultz 🕊️ Condolences to his family
SheriHeffner 5 months ago
I'm sorry. Test On Oeace Al
Jeremy SheriHeffner 5 months ago
Either you were in a hurry or your phone mistook your intended letters.
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