Goldie Hawn dazzled audiences in the late 1960s, and her “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” promotional photo shoot remains one of her most unforgettable moments in her early rise to fame.
Hawnâs Defining Moment From the 60s
With her green bikini and colorful body paint, Hawn perfectly captured the playful yet rebellious spirit of that time period.
Hawn’s ‘Laugh-In’ Era
Hawn was a break-out star from “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” a sketch comedy series hosted by comedy duo Dan Rowan and Dick Martin that ran for six seasons from 1968 to 1973 on NBC. The actress played “a bombshell ditz with a high-pitched giggle.”
In an interview with Harper’s BAZAAR, Hawn addressed how some people from that time period questioned her decision to play such a character. “An editor from a womenâs magazine came up to me and said, ‘donât you feel terrible that youâre playing a dumb blonde?ââ recalled Hawn, who was surprised by the question. “I said, ‘I donât understand that question because Iâm already liberated. Liberation comes from the inside.’”
Hawn was never allowed to rehearse her introductions on “Laugh-In,” as they were hoping to trip her up. âRuth Buzzi would always do something to screw up Goldieâs cue cards,” recalled “Laugh-In” producer George Schlatter in an interview with Closer Weekly. “Goldie is really a brilliant woman, but when she gets confused, she laughs, and her laugh is just golden.”
Following “Laugh-In,” Hawn went on to star in numerous projects, including 1969âs “Cactus Flower,” which is a film she won both the Oscar and the Golden Globe for best supporting actress, and a 1980 TV special with Liza Minnelli.
“Laugh-In” also launched the careers of many of the ensemble cast, including Gary Owens, who was the on-screen radio continuity announcer, and Ruth Buzzi also appeared throughout the show’s six-year run. Others appeared in at least three seasons, including Judy Carne, Henry Gibson, Arte Johnson, Jo Anne Worley, Alan Sues, Lily Tomlin, Dennis Allen, and Richard Dawson, many of whom had their careers launched due to the show.
The series gave voice to the periodâs youth culture. “They were not comics. They were these innocent, funny, young people who could stay up all night. We taped some of our stuff until 2 oâclock in the morning,” said George. “We would start with what was in the script and we would just play.”
The series wasnât expected to be a hit. “We really went on the air by accident,” said George. “NBC had nothing to put on opposite ‘Hereâs Lucy’ and ‘Gunsmoke.’ ‘Laugh-In’ cost nothing and could go on the air right away, so we just started taping it.”
“It was a revolutionary experience, both technically and creatively,” recalled George. “We did anything we wanted to do and then apologized for it later.”
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