Comedian Ruth Buzzi, famed for her roles on children's show 'Sesame Street' and comedy series 'Laugh-In,' passes away at 88.
Ruth Buzzi, a legendary comedian who became a household name with her role as the cranky and unapologetic Gladys Ormphby on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," passed away at the age of 88. According to the Associated Press, Buzzi's agent Mike Eisenstadt confirmed the news on Thursday, citing her home in Texas as the location of her demise. Buzzi had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and was in hospice care prior to her passing.
A minute before her death, her husband Kent Perkins posted a heartfelt message on Buzzi's Facebook page, expressing gratitude to her numerous fans and assuring them that she cherished the enjoyment they derived from her performances.
Buzzi's exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry earned her a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations for her work on "Laugh-In." She was the only cast member to feature in all six seasons of the show, including the pilot. Her talent attracted the attention of its creator and producer George Schlatter, who had previously noticed her while she was performing characters on "The Steve Allen Comedy Hour."
In a twist of fate, Schlatter received a photo of Buzzi donning her Ormphby costume and sitting in a wire mesh trash barrel. The character was dressed in drab brown, and her bun was covered by a hairnet knotted in the middle of her forehead. Schlatter knew that he couldn't resist hiring her, partly due to his fascination with the Gladys character and her unique hairnet and rolled-down stockings.
One of Buzzi's most memorable traits was her use of her purse as a weapon against anyone who wronged her on "Laugh-In." Her frequent target was Arte Johnson's dirty old man character, Tyrone F. Horneigh. Buzzi explained the essence of Gladys in an interview with The Connecticut Post, stating, "Gladys embodies the overlooked, the downtrodden, the taken for granted, the struggler. So when she fights back, she speaks for everyone who's been marginalized, reduced to a sex object or otherwise abused. And that's almost everyone at some time or other."
Buzzi's staggering 45-year career saw her take her act to the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts in Las Vegas, where she made a name for herself by bashing the heads of notable figures like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball with her purse.
Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, reminisced on Buzzi's impact, stating, "Ruth Buzzi brought a singular energy and charm to sketch comedy that made her a standout on 'Laugh-In' and the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. Her characters, especially the unforgettable Gladys Ormphby, captured the delightful absurdity of the era."
Buzzi's other recurring roles on "Laugh-In" included Flicker Farkle, Busy-Buzzi, Doris Swizzler, and an inconsiderate flight attendant. In an interview with The Connecticut Post, Buzzi expressed her sincere gratitude for her successful career, stating, "I never took my work for granted, nor assumed I deserved more of the credit or spotlight or more pay than anyone else. I was just thrilled to drive down the hill to NBC every day as an employed actor with a job to do."
Throughout her career, Buzzi formed bonds with her fellow "Laugh-In" costars Lily Tomlin and Jo Anne Worley, maintaining friendships that lasted for years. Her contributions to the entertainment industry will forever be remembered as iconic.
- Ruth Buzzi's iconic character, Gladys Ormphby, was a representation of the marginalized and abused, as Buzzi explained in an interview with The Connecticut Post.
- Despite her frumpy appearance on "Laugh-In," Ruth Buzzi's talent was recognized early on by George Schlatter, who had previously seen her performances on "The Steve Allen Comedy Hour."
- Ruth Buzzi's career spanned over 45 years, during which she not only made an impact on sketch comedy but also made a name for herself at the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts in Las Vegas.
- journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, commemorated Ruth Buzzi's impact on comedy, stating that her energy, charm, and unforgettable characters captured the delightful absurdity of the era.
