At 17, she moved from East Tennessee to New York City, where she studied painting and sculpture at the School of Visual Arts and pursued an acting career.

[4] Early in her life, she toured with the Barter Theatre of Abingdon, Virginia, and later became a designer for such firms as Kimberly-Clark and Fieldcrest.

(1969), for which she won the Peabody Award — and drew the attention of Tomlin, who was looking for someone to help develop the Laugh-In character Edith Ann.

[13] Annie Award 1997: nominated – Best Individual Achievement: Writing in a TV Production – Edith Ann's Christmas: Just Say Noel[14] Drama Desk Award 2001: nominated – Outstanding Revival of a Play – The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe[15] 1986: won – Unique Theatrical Experience – The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe[15] Emmy Award 1993: nominated – Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special – The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe[16] 1981: won – Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program – Lily: Sold Out[16] 1981: nominated – Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Music or Comedy Program – Lily: Sold Out[16] 1976: won – Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Special – The Lily Tomlin Special[16] 1976: nominated – Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Special – The Lily Tomlin Special[16] 1974: won – Outstanding Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music – Lily[16] Peabody Award 1996: won – Edith Ann's Christmas: Just Say Noel[17] 1970: won – J.T.

[18] Tony Award 2001: nominated – Best Revival of a Play – The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe[15] Lambda Literary Award 2020: won – Lambda Literary Visionary prize[6] Wagner met her future wife, writer Lily Tomlin, in March 1971.