Al Schultz, ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ Makeup Artist, Dies at 82

Al Schultz, makeup artist on TV shows such as “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Good Times,” died June 19 at his home in Long Beach, Calif. He was 82.

Born in Fond du Lac, Wis. in 1942, Schultz played college football at the University of Missouri until a knee injury ended his sports career. He then moved to Hollywood, initially working as a grip and camera dolly operator before finding his passion in makeup artistry.

Schultz began his career as a makeup artist in the mid-1960s. His initial break came with NBC-TV, where he contributed to shows like “Hollywood Squares” and “Laugh-In.” He later worked on “The Dean Martin Show.”

In 1968, the Makeup Artist’s Union sent him to CBS Television City where Carol Burnett noticed him walking by her dressing room. From then on, he worked on “The Carol Burnett Show,” where he met his wife, Vicki Lawrence. He served as head of makeup on the show, where he also made up guest stars like Joan Crawford, Ella Fitzgerald, Bernadette Peters, Dionne Warwick, Cass Elliot, Betty White and more.

Schultz was promoted to head of CBS Makeup West Coast in 1972, becoming the youngest ever to hold the position at just 30 years old. He was responsible for all CBS shows, including “The Sonny and Cher Show,” “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons,” and “Maude.” He also worked on “The Merv Griffin Show,” where he did make up for the show’s guest stars including Goldie Hawn, Joan Baez, Jane Fonda.

He is survived by his wife and their two children, Courtney and Garrett.