Veteran American comedian and actress Ruth Buzzi, known globally for her unforgettable role as Gladys Ormphby on the iconic sketch show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died at the age of 88. Her agent, Mike Eisenstadt, confirmed her passing on Thursday at her home in Texas, where she had been in hospice care following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Buzzi, whose career spanned over four decades and included more than 200 television appearances, was one of the defining comedic voices of her era. From battling lecherous characters with her purse to making millions laugh with just a scowl, she left behind a legacy few could rival.

Born Ruth Ann Buzzi on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, she was raised in nearby Stonington, Connecticut, where her father was a nationally recognized stone sculptor. By age 17, she was enrolled in the Pasadena Playhouse, and by 19, she was already earning her Actors’ Equity card while performing alongside singer Rudy Vallee.

Her big break came in 1964 on The Garry Moore Show, followed by roles on The Entertainers and Broadway's Sweet Charity before landing a spot on NBC’s groundbreaking comedy Laugh-In in 1968. Buzzi became the only performer to appear in every episode of the show during its six-season run.

It was on Laugh-In that she gave life to Gladys Ormphby — the sharp-tongued, hairnet-wearing woman in sensible shoes who never hesitated to whack anyone who crossed her with her handbag. Her most infamous sparring partner was Arte Johnson’s character, Tyrone F. Horneigh, the persistent dirty old man. The chemistry was comedic gold.

"Gladys embodies the overlooked, the downtrodden, the taken for granted," Buzzi once said. "When she fights back, she speaks for everyone who’s ever been ignored or mistreated."

Her performance earned her a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations — and a place in the hearts of comedy lovers around the world.

Beyond Laugh-In, Buzzi brought her characters to life on numerous shows, including The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, where she playfully bashed Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball over the head with her trademark purse. She appeared in That Girl, The Lost Saucer, and made memorable guest appearances on variety shows hosted by Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson, and Donny and Marie Osmond. She also voiced countless animated characters in shows like The Smurfs, The Berenstain Bears, and The Angry Beavers.

Buzzi even brought her talents to Sesame Street, earning another Emmy nomination for her six-year role as shopkeeper Ruthie.

Her film credits include Freaky Friday, The North Avenue Irregulars, Chu Chu and the Philly Flash, and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. In later years, she delighted fans with appearances in music videos by “Weird Al” Yankovic and The B-52’s, all while staying active on social media, where she often shared cheeky quips like, “I have never faked a sarcasm.”

Buzzi married actor Kent Perkins in 1978, and in 2003 the couple moved to a 640-acre ranch in Texas. She officially retired from acting in 2021 following a series of strokes, and her health declined thereafter.

In one of her final public messages, shared via her husband, Buzzi offered a heartfelt thank-you to her fans, saying she “probably had more fun doing those shows than you had watching them.”

A trailblazer, comic genius, and beloved figure in American entertainment, Ruth Buzzi’s spirit, humor, and characters will live on in pop culture for generations.



By WafricNews Desk.