Judy Carne

Judy Carne, born Joyce Audrey Botterill on April 27, 1939, in Northampton, England, was an English actress and comedian. Her parents were greengrocers named Harold and Kathy. From a young age, she participated in local performances and also studied at both the Pitt-Draffen Academy of Dance and the Bush-Davis Theatrical School for Girls, which were located in East Grinstead. 'Judy' was initially proposed as her stage name by an instructor; subsequently, 'Carne' was chosen, derived from the character Sarat Carn featured in the play Bonaventure. Her acting career began in the early 1960s with television appearances including ‘Danger Man’ (1961) and ‘The Rag Trade’ (1961).

Carne moved to the United States in the early 1960s, appearing in series like 'Fair Exchange' (1963), 'The Baileys of Balboa' (1962-1964), and 'Love on a Rooftop' (1966) with Pete Duel. She is best known for her work on 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In' (1968–1970), where she became a regular cast member in 1967, following an appearance in the pilot special in 1967. During this time, she gained stardom and was famously known as the "Sock It To Me Girl" for her catchphrase, “Sock it to me!”. President Richard Nixon even repeated the phrase. A cast recording of 'Laugh-In' was released in 1968, further solidifying her popularity.

Following her departure from 'Laugh-In' after the second season, Carne continued performing in comedy clubs and nightclubs. She also starred in a Broadway revival of 'The Boy Friend' (1970), playing the role of Polly. Her career involved both comedy and acting, with appearances in films like ‘All the Right Noises’ (1971) and television series such as ‘Kildare’ (1971) and ‘Alias Smith and Jones’ (1971). In 1985, she published her autobiography, titled 'Laughing on the Outside, Crying on the Inside,' which chronicled her life story and various experiences. During the 1980s, Judy Carne returned to Northamptonshire, England, and remained active in acting, with roles in productions such as ‘Out of Order’ (1981) and ‘What About Me’ (1993). She died on September 3, 2015, from pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in comedy, particularly for women, and one of the first female comedians on television.