Everything to Know About Brian Miller, Carol Burnett’s Musician Husband

Comedic legend Carol Burnett has been married to her husband, Brian Miller, for over 20 years now. Previously, Burnett was wed to actor Don Saroyan from 1955 to 1962, and then to TV producer Joe Hamilton from 1963 to 1984. She had three daughters with Hamilton: Carrie, Jody, and Erin.

The couple has a sweet relationship, with Miller supporting her in his career as much as he can. Ahead, get to know Miller, and learn about the couple’s 20-year marriage.

Miller is a musician.

Miller is currently the principal drummer for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Before that, he worked as the orchestra’s personnel manager. He is also a music contractor for the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, and other venues. Per People, he has worked as a music contractor for big events, like the Hamilton and Waitress national tours, and concerts like the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Burnett and Miller met and started dating in the ’90s.

Miller met Burnett at some point during the 1990s in Long Beach, California, where Burnett was performing a comedy show. They hit it off and eventually began dating.

Miller and Burnett got married in 2001.

After a few years of dating, Burnett and Miller, who have a 20-year age gap, got married in November 2001.

Burnett previously told People, “He’s funny and not easily intimidated. As we get older, the gap between our ages narrows. If you were 40 and married a 20-year-old, I don’t think you could communicate like [we do].”

Just two months after the couple tied the knot, Burnett’s oldest daughter, Carrie, tragically passed away from lung cancer-related pneumonia at the age of 38. When speaking on the Dear Multi-Hyphenate podcast in October 2022, she opened up about her daughter’s death and how Miller helped her through it. Burnett and Carrie wrote the play Hollywood Arms together, and it eventually ran on Broadway and in Chicago. Burnett made the difficult decision to move forward with the show, with Miller’s support.

“Carrie passed away and I…well, I’m her mom, and I didn’t want to get out of bed,” she admitted. “And my husband—[the show was] going into previews—said, ‘Carol, you owe this not only to Carrie but you owe it to [director Hal Prince] to finish.’”

“We’re on the plane, my husband and I, to Chicago, and I said a little prayer to Carrie,” she continued. “I said, ‘I’m going to be doing this but I don’t want to be alone. Be with me. Somehow be with me. I need a sign you’re going to be with me even though you’re not present physically.’”

Miller produced Burnett’s TV special for her 90th birthday.

On April 26, 2023, NBC celebrated Burnett’s 90th birthday with a two-hour TV special titled Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love. According to Deadline, Miller is credited as an executive producer.

Miller also worked on The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special as the music contractor.

Burnett and Miller frequently attend red carpets together.

Most recently, the couple attended the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. They both came home with an award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for their work as executive producers on Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love.

Before that, Burnett and Miller attended the 2020 Golden Globes, posing for photos together on the red carpet.