Brett Butler (born January 30, 1958) is an American celebrity, writer, and stand-up comedian, famous for playing the title role in the comedy series “Grace Under Fire”. Among the primary noteworthy appearances for Butler was on Dolly Parton’s illfated 1987 variety show, Dolly. Parton later hired Butler as a writer for the rest of the show’s season, before it had been canceled. In February 1998, due to her unpredictable behavior coming from substance abuse, she was dropped in the show. The publication was began before reaching her star status, and candidly addresses much of the time period, stopping the autobiography before Grace Under Fire’s television debut. In 2008, Butler headlined at an arts fundraiser and talked freely using a reporter about her melancholy, previous drug addiction, television work and present life on a farm. She also expressed interest in writing another novel. Starting in June 2012, Butler appeared in a recurring character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless playing ex-shrink Tim Reed’s girlfriend. In June 2012, Butler also offers a recurring role as the bartender in the restaurant that Dr. Charlie Goodson frequents in the FX show Anger Management starring Charlie Sheen.
[Jan. 2013] I lost my husband, my job, the respect of people I admire greatly, everything. But I still didn't sober up for another six months. The closeness that I came to dying was really remarkable.
2
I hate bigots so much it makes me one.
3
I'm so Southern I'm related to myself.
4
I was married to a subliterate, terra-cotta-toothed imbecile with violent tendencies.
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Fact
1
In 2007, Brett moved to a farm she had bought back in her native Georgia where she lost most of the 100 pounds she had gained. Then she lost the farm, was broke, and was also briefly homeless.
2
Shortly before the end of Grace Under Fire (1993), she went into rehab for painkiller addiction.
3
Her Grace Under Fire (1993) co-star Julie White didn't appear in the show's last season because the situation on the set became difficult due to Brett's addiction problems.
4
Was named after Lady Brett Ashley in "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway. Her mother's remarriage to Bob Butler when Brett was six changed her surname from Anderson to Butler.
5
Worked as a cocktail waitress before becoming a success in the entertainment industry.
6
Has four younger sisters: Tana, Toren, Kristen and Katy.
7
Made two appearances on Dolly Parton's 1987 Variety Show, Dolly. The first was her stand-up comedy act, the second, a comedy skit with Dolly. She became a writer on the Dolly show after her first appearance.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Beach Cougar Gigolo
2017
announced
Melinda Maxwell
Friday's Child
2017
post-production
Ms. LaField
Freedom Town
2017
TV Series announced
Star Jubliant
How to Get Away with Murder
2016
TV Series
Trishelle
The Comedian
2016
Brett Butler
The Leftovers
2015
TV Series
Sandy
Anger Management
2012-2014
TV Series
Brett
The Young and the Restless
2012
TV Series
Beth Hortense
Archer
2012
TV Series
Trish
Moochers
2006
TV Movie
Host
My Name Is Earl
2005
TV Series
Connie Darville
Vampire Bats
2005
TV Movie
Shelly Beaudraux
Mrs. Harris
2005
TV Movie
Tarnower Ex #1
Militia
2000
Bobbi
Bruno
2000
Sister Della Rosa
Chicken Soup for the Soul
1999
TV Series
Grace Under Fire
1993-1998
TV Series
Grace Kelly
Ellen
1997
TV Series
Grace Kelly
The Drew Carey Show
1997
TV Series
Grace Kelly
The Larry Sanders Show
1995
TV Series
Brett Butler
Women of the House
1995
TV Series
Brett Butler
The Child Ain't Right
1993
TV Movie
Short Attention Span Theater
1989
TV Series
Guest Host (1990)
Dolly
1988
TV Series
Rhonda
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Brett Butler Presents the Southern Belles of Comedy
2009
Video executive producer
Grace Under Fire
1995-1998
TV Series executive producer - 59 episodes
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Grace Under Fire
1994
TV Series executive consultant - 15 episodes
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 22nd Annual People's Choice Awards
1996
TV Special
Grace Under Fire
TV Series story by - 1 episode, 1994 written by - 1 episode, 1994
The Child Ain't Right
1993
TV Movie
Dolly
1988
TV Series 5 episodes
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dolly
1988
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Why We Laugh: Funny Women
2013
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Inside Edition
2013
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Wendy Williams Show
2012
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Rosie Show
2011
TV Series
Herself
Celebrity Ghost Stories
2011
TV Series documentary
Herself
Brett Butler Presents the Southern Belles of Comedy
2009
Video
Herself
Celebrity Poker Showdown
2006
TV Series
CMT: The Greatest - 20 Greatest Country Comedy Shows
2006
TV Special
Herself
Pet Star
2005
TV Series documentary
Judge
Bill Hicks Live: Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-up Comedian
2004
Video
Herself
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
2004
TV Series
Herself
Last Comic Standing
2004
TV Series
Herself - Celebrity Scout
The Great American Celebrity Spelling Bee
2004
TV Mini-Series
Herself - Winner
Late Show with David Letterman
1993-2003
TV Series
Herself
Heroes of Comedy: Women on Top
2003
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Rob Reiner
2000
TV Movie
Herself
The Daily Show
2000
TV Series
Herself
The 54th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
Jeopardy!
1996
TV Series
Herself - Celebrity Contestant
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996
TV Series
Herself
The 48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1996
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Dennis Miller Live
1996
TV Series
Herself
American Dreamers
1996
TV Movie
Herself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1993-1996
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Guest
The 22nd Annual People's Choice Awards
1996
TV Special
Herself - Host and Presenter: Favorite Dramatic Television Series
State of the Union: Undressed
1995
TV Movie
Herself
Comic Relief VII
1995
TV Special documentary
Herself
TV Laughs at Life
1995
TV Movie
Herself - Host
Who Makes You Laugh?
1995
TV Special
Herself
The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
1995
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
Girls' Night Out
1994
TV Movie
Herself (1994)
The 20th Annual People's Choice Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favorite New Television Comedy Series and Winner: Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series
Totally Bill Hicks
1994
Video documentary
Herself
The Second Annual Comedy Hall of Fame
1994
TV Special
Herself
The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
The 8th Annual American Comedy Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
ABC's 40th Anniversary
1994
TV Special
Herself
Comic Relief VI
1994
TV Special documentary
Herself
Growing Up Funny
1994
TV Movie
Herself - Host
Montreal International Comedy Festival '94
1994
TV Movie
Herself - Host
A Gala for the President at Ford's Theatre
1993
TV Movie
Herself
The A-List
1992
TV Series
Herself
Dolly
1988
TV Series
Herself
The New Hollywood Squares
1987
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time
2004
TV Mini-Series
Herself #87
When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World
2004
TV Movie documentary
Herself (uncredited)
Full Mountie
2000
TV Series
Herself
Classic Stand-Up Comedy of Television
1996
TV Special documentary
Herself
Before They Were Stars
1996
TV Series
Herself
50 Years of Funny Females
1995
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1995
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series
Grace Under Fire (1993)
1994
People's Choice Award
People's Choice Awards, USA
Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Series
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1997
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Grace Under Fire (1993)
1997
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series
Grace Under Fire (1993)
1996
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series
Grace Under Fire (1993)
1995
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical