Actress, comedian Lily Tomlin producing 'Billie Jean' at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Lily Tomlin is a show-stopping performer, but she's also producing the hit play "Billie Jean," now at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

The star grew up in Detroit, and Chicago was one of her favorites as a stand-up comedian. Tomlin was in town recently, telling ABC7 Chicago's Hosea Sanders she nearly went into medicine before deciding "make believe" is her calling.

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"I was in pre-nursing; later, I got into pre-med. But that didn't last long either. I said, 'I have to go be in show business,'" Tomlin said.

She said, as a child, she put on shows all the time.

"But, being a blue collar kid, you didn't think of being in show business," Tomlin said. "And that's the truth. The characters, they're some part of me. Ernestine, the phone operator, is irascible. She's give it to anybody nearby and plays both sides of the street."

She said the best part of her life right now is "sort of not working" or being on the road.

When asked about what's next, Tomlin said, "I'd like to hang a hammock between two trees by a little stream."

Tomlin felt passionate about getting the story of Billie Jean King on stage because she was a champion, not only on the court, but for women's rights.

"Billie Jean" is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier through this Sunday, and earning great reviews.