Comedy icon Ruth Buzzi, famed for her role in the trailblazing series 'Laugh-In,' passes away at the age of 88.
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Remember Ruth Buzzi, the sharped-tongued, acerbic comedian who made us laugh for decades? Yeah, the one who nailed the role of Gladys Ormphby on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" and later racked up over 200 TV appearances? Sadly, she passed away at 88, leaving behind an indelible mark on our comedy-loving hearts.
Buzzi's last breath was taken at her Texas home, confirmed by her agent Mike Eisenstadt. The cause of her demise was Alzheimer's, for which she was in hospice care. Right before her departure, her partner, Kent Perkins, shared a heartfelt message on Buzzi's Facebook page, expressing gratitude to her fans and conveying her sentiment that they had more fun watching her shows than she actually did performing them.
A Golden Globe winner and two-time Emmy nominee, Buzzi was the only regular cast member to appear in all six seasons of "Laugh-In," even in the pilot episode. George Schlatter, the show's creator, first spotted her playing various characters on "The Steve Allen Comedy Hour." It was her memorable portrayal as Gladys Ormphby, a drab, grumpy office worker with a knack for using her purse as a weapon, that clinched her role on "Laugh-In."
In an interview with The Connecticut Post in 2018, Buzzi revealed that the Gladys character was a voice for the downtrodden and marginalized, championing those who had been taken for granted and abused. Buzzi channeled her character's spirit off-screen, too, during the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts in Las Vegas, where she took aim at the heads of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball with her purse.
While Gladys Ormphby will undoubtedly be Buzzi's most remembered role, she graced our screens with many more characters, including Flicker Farkle, Busy-Buzzi, Doris Swizzler, and an inconsiderate flight attendant. In an interview with Connecticut Post, Buzzi humbly spoke about her experiences, remarking that she never took her work for granted and always valued her peers.
Throughout her career, Buzzi maintained close relationships with her fellow "Laugh-In" stars Lily Tomlin and Jo Anne Worley. Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1936, Buzzi was the daughter of renowned stone sculptor Angelo Buzzi. She pursued acting at the Pasadena Playhouse and later toured with singer Rudy Vallee. Her national television debut came on "The Garry Moore Show," followed by a regular spot on "The Entertainers" alongside Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart. In 1966, she made her Broadway debut in "Sweet Charity" alongside Gwen Verdon.
Buzzi's TV appearances ranged from recurring roles on "That Girl" to guest spots on variety shows hosted by Burnett, Flip Wilson, Glen Campbell, Tony Orlando, and Donny and Marie Osmond. She even made an appearance in Lucille Ball's final comedy series, "Life With Lucy." In addition to her TV work, she lent her voice to numerous cartoons, including "Pound Puppies," "Berenstain Bears," "The Smurfs," and "The Angry Beavers."
Buzzi was also nominated for an Emmy for her six-year stint as shopkeeper Ruthie on "Sesame Street." On the big screen, she starred in films like "Freaky Friday," "Chu Chu and the Philly Flash," "The North Avenue Irregulars," and "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again."
Buzzi remained active on social media, sharing her wisdom and wit with her followers. She once mused, "I have never faked a sarcasm,' and 'Scientists say the universe is made up entirely of neurons, protons, and electrons. They seem to have missed morons.'" In 1978, she married actor Kent Perkins, and the couple later moved from California to Texas, buying a 640-acre ranch near Stephenville. Buzzi retired from acting in 2021, but suffered a series of strokes the following year. Perkins shared in 2023 that she had dementia.
Ruth Buzzi's career, which spanned over four decades, was marked by her talent, versatility, and tenacity. Rest in peace, Gladys Ormphby, and thank you for the laughter.
Sources:
- Buzzi, Ruth - IMDb
- Ruth Buzzi: 'Bob Newhart changed my life' - in her own words - Classic TV History
- Ruth Buzzi on 'Laugh-In,' awesomeness and mental health - Q&AExtra - Boston.com
- After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Ruth Buzzi, the award-winning comedian known for her sarcastic wit, spent her final days in hospice care before passing away at the age of 88.
- Despite her success in numerous TV shows and films, it was her character Gladys Ormphby on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" that earned Buzzi recognition, as she wielded her purse with sarcasm and humor, similar to her off-screen character during the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.
- As a testament to her lasting impact on the entertainment industry, Ruth Buzzi's legacy includes not only her iconic roles like Gladys Ormphby but also her appearances in various TV shows, cartoons, and even performances alongside legendary figures such as Lucille Ball.
