Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Brett Butler embodies the Southern spirit as quintessentially as "Gone with the Wind." However, her name wasn't inspired by Clark Gable's famous character. Instead, it stemmed from her mother's second marriage to a Mr. Butler, coupled with a literary influence from "The Sun Also Rises," resulting in the name "Brett Ashley." Butler's comedic style is marked by a sharp edge and an unapologetic approach to speaking her mind. From early in her stand-up career, she eschewed "safe" jokes in favor of tackling issues like feminism and racism. One of her early comedic influences was George Carlin. Remarkably, at the age of eight, she performed some of his routines, such as the "hippy-dippy weatherman," during a school pageant. She also shared anecdotes about life with her four sisters, stories her mother had once submitted to Reader's Digest, though they were never published. After enduring a turbulent first marriage, Brett found herself working as a waitress in a Texas honky tonk. It was there, on an "Open Mike Night," that she began performing comedy. Encouraged by touring comic Robert Klein, she moved beyond the Southern circuit to New York City, where she eventually found success and a new husband, Ken Ziegler. Her Southern accent and charming appearance belied the hip, sarcastic lines she delivered, flipping the coin to view the darker side. She often played against expectations, challenging those who thought she should be "home, bakin' biscuits." Throughout the late '80s, Brett Butler became a formidable presence on the comedy club circuit, earning a nomination for an "American Comedy Award" in 1990. Her transition to television began with writing for Dolly Parton's "Dolly" series and releasing her own Showtime comedy special, "The Child Ain't Right." Her big break came with the sitcom "Grace Under Fire," where she portrayed a realistic single mom. Behind the scenes, she was steadfast in balancing humor with the gravity of her character's circumstances. The pressures of sitcom production led to backstage conflicts, which Butler candidly acknowledged. "It isn't brain surgery," she quipped, adding that somewhere a brain surgeon might be grateful not to be a writer on "Grace Under Fire." With "Grace Under Fire," Brett Butler became a superstar, experiencing the rollercoaster of fame that included high ratings, a bestselling autobiography, and sensational tabloid stories about being difficult and rumors of substance abuse. Despite these challenges, the show enjoyed a successful run. Afterward, Brett continued to stay active in films, TV appearances, and stand-up comedy, maintaining her presence in the entertainment world.