I’ll point out that Diller and Fields were mainly stand-up comics. They broke ground with their schtick, as did Rusty Warren, but had very small rolls as actors and wouldn’t be on a Mt. Rushmore of actors.
I considered Gracie Allen. She had great timing, but I already had one classic “ditz” on my list with Lucy. It’s a challenge to find great comedic actresses from more than fifty years ago that didn’t lean into the “dumb girl” trope.
Well she did have good bone structure going for her. Took her years to get good bone structure.
Respectfully disagree. Among the ones listed here: Irene Dunne, Katherine Hepburn, Gertrude Berg, Claudette Colbert, Carole Lombard, Rosalind Russell, etc.
The problem I have in coming up with just four is, do I want actresses who could be comedic (e.g., Hepburn), comedians who could act (Madeline Kahn), or actor/comedians who built en entire personna (Berg, Ball).
Disclosure: as funny as Lucille Ball was, I never could stand her because Lucy Ricardo strongly reminded me of my mother, who I loathed. If not for that, Vitameatavegamin alone would qualify her for my Rushmore.
Man, one of the most funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes in a movie. Her “OH, SON OF A BITCH!” on her way up the hill is surely one for the ages.
Very well said.
I am having a difficult time finding comedic actresses whom I find exceedingly funny. Lucille Ball? Not at all. Carol Burnett? Has never made me laugh to my recollection. Betty White? I guess she was funny on Golden Girls, but not Rushmore-worthy.
That said, so far I am down with:
- Mary Tyler Moore
- TBD
- TBD
- TBD
mmm
When then this opens up another possible way of choosing the four for Mt. Rushmore status: who has brought the most laughs to you personally? The two lists I’ve previously submitted had names that I thought should be there because of what they’ve accomplished, even though they didn’t bring me much laughter over the years personally.
The four who have made me laugh the most would be:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Tina Fey
Melissa McCarthy
Kristin Wiig
I find these kind of questions difficult. I find Leslie Knope and Liz Lemon very funny, but would I find them as funny if the actress was different? Almost certainly.
I would not put Lucille Ball on this particular Mt. Rushmore, because I found her whining and wailing off putting. I realize it was a reflection of her time, but it just wasn’t funny. I would put her on a Mt. Rushmore that honored women DOING BUSINESS in the entertainment business. In that context, she was a trailblazer.
Yes, exactly. I could easily come up with four who deserve to be there because of the impact they had on the field and the influence they have had on others. But, do I find them funny (to me)? Nope.
So, maybe I misunderstood the question. If so, my four are:
- Lucille Ball
- Mae West
- Carol Burnett
- Mary Tyler Moore*
*the only one here who actually makes me laugh
mmm
Maybe. I don’t know that it’s in the spirit of the OP, but I’d still put a lot of weight on Fey’s writing and get her on the list.
- Tina Fey
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Lucille Ball
- Betty White (but really don’t have a strong opinion here. Madeline Kahn is fine.)
An aside, but this thread highlights the age of the forum.
As the OP, I’m still trying to figure out myself the methodology of determining who should go on it, so I’m not sure the OP has a specific spirit to even go against.
Alright, I’m gonna work though this.
My “gut reaction” four:
Carol Burnett
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Mary Tyler Moore
Catherine O’Hara
My “Washington/Jefferson/Lincoln/Roosevelt” four:
Lucille Ball
Carol Burnett
Betty White
Melissa McCarthy
My “most-laughed-at” four:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Tina Fey
Melissa McCarthy
Kristin Wiig
I guess if I consider all three lists, I’m left with:
Carol Burnett
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Melissa McCarthy
And for my fourth I think I’ll go with Catherine O’Hara. She had a career spanning decades, found success in multiple genres (tv, film, sketch), two countries, she could play kooky characters as well as do work as a solid straight woman.
So my final four: Burnett, Louis-Dreyfus, McCarthy, O’Hara.
As I said earlier, although I think she was very funny, I couldn’t stand the Lucy Ricardo character. As you say, the whining and wailing, plus all the deception and conniving.
Agreed.
Maybe Laura Keene for the “Abe Lincoln” spot? 
When I clicked on this thread I thought I would have an immediate response but everyone has made compelling arguments for some really funny ladies.
Well done!