Los Angeles, January 9, 2026 – Legendary comedian Carol Burnett made a heartwarming appearance at the American Film Institute (AFI) Awards on Friday, delivering the luncheon’s annual benediction and reflecting on her humble beginnings in Hollywood.

At 92 years old, Burnett stood before a star-studded audience including George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg, Ethan Hawke, Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Emma Stone, marveling at her life-long journey in entertainment.

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Burnett Shares Childhood Memories

During her remarks, Burnett fondly recalled how she and her grandmother would save their pennies to see films in theaters:

“I grew up in Hollywood,” she said. “And my grandmother and I, we would save our pennies and we would see maybe six to eight movies a week.”

She emphasized the lasting impact of storytelling, adding:

“I never lost the deep respect and love that I have for you [and] all the stories we tell through cinema and television. The world is a better place for having heard your voices.”

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AFI Awards Highlights

The AFI Awards luncheon, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, honored achievements in film and television. This year’s film honorees included:

• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• Bugonia
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Jay Kelly
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• Train Dreams
• Wicked: For Good

Honored TV shows included: Adolescence, Andor, Death by Lightning, The Diplomat, The Lowdown, The Pitt, Pluribus, Severance, The Studio, and Task.

A special award was presented to It Was Just an Accident.

Director Ava DuVernay, presenting film awards, acknowledged the tense political climate but celebrated the resilience of the creative community:

“It’s dreamy to be here in a room with so many artists and crafts people and executives and friends. I hope we all leave this room a little stronger and keep doing good work.”

AFI CEO Bob Gazzale opened the ceremony by reflecting on challenges from the past year, including the devastating California wildfires and the loss of cinematic legends like Robert Redford and Debbie Lynch, emphasizing the importance of storytelling to process emotions.

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Star-Studded Interactions

The awards luncheon offered intimate moments among stars:

• Emma Stone and Ariana Grande shared a private catch-up
• Jacob Elordi greeted Leonardo DiCaprio
• Patricia Arquette and Mia Goth shared a hug
• Timothée Chalamet quietly took his seat next to co-star Odessa A’Zion

Earlier in the week, Burnett attended CBS and Paramount’s primetime special, Golden Eve, earning praise from Sarah Jessica Parker, who called her a “north star” in entertainment.

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Carol Burnett’s Enduring Legacy

From saving pennies to see movies as a child to inspiring a room full of Hollywood luminaries, Burnett’s appearance at the AFI Awards highlights her timeless influence on comedy, television, and film. Her career remains a testament to the power of storytelling, humor, and perseverance.