Ciao Bella! USA Summer 2015 | Page 15

No Laughing Mat ter Comedienne, Actress Vicki Lawrence Discusses Her Struggle with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria E mmy-award winning actress and comedienne, Vicki Lawrence has brought laughter to millions. After making her television debut on The Carol Burnett Show, where she spent eleven years, Lawrence went on to star in her own series, Mama's Family. A multifaceted entertainer, in 1973, she received a gold record for her hit single "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia". Lawrence has hosted daytime talk shows, appeared on numerous game shows and theater productions and has recently held roles on, Yes Dear and Hannah Montana. In 2002 Lawrence launched her one-woman show entitled Vicki Lawrence and Mama, A Two Woman Show which has been so successful that she is currently on the road performing the 40th Anniversary Tour. Lawrence has been married since 1974 to her best friend and professional partner, Al Shultz, who is the former head of make-up for CBS. When asked to share her favorite beauty tip, Vicki has often quipped, by Heidi Suprun "Sleep with your make-up man!" The couple has two grown children. They live at the beach in Southern California with their two dogs. Lawrence enjoys doing motivational speaking engagements for women's groups and supporting numerous charities. Her hobbies include cooking and sailing. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Lawrence is currently on a campaign to raise awareness about chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), a disease that is no laughing matter for those who are struggling with it. Lawrence herself was diagnosed with CIU four years ago. One morning she woke up and the palms of her hands were itching. "I ran downstairs and said to my husband, 'honey you need to buy a lottery ticket because obviously we're coming into a lot of money tonight' and we laughed about it," said Lawrence. "After a few minutes when it didn't go away I 15