Actress and comedian Ruth Buzzi has died at 88.
Buzzi, who was nominated for five Emmys, was best known for the NBC variety sketch comedy “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” which ran from 1968 to 1973.
“Ruth Buzzi died peacefully in her sleep at home in Texas,” a Facebook message from her family announced on Friday. “She was in hospice care for several years with Alzheimer’s disease.
Memorial arrangements by Lacy Funeral Home, Stephenville, Texas to be announced.”
Her rep confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that she died of complications from Alzheimer’s.
In lieu of flowers, her family requested donations be made to Alzheimer’s research at http://www.alz.org.
The Post reached out to Buzzi’s rep for comment.
In 2023, Buzzi was the victim of a death hoax. She had to post on her Facebook to announce that rumors of her death at the time weren’t true.
“I am quite alive, but distressed — unnecessarily,” she wrote.
Her 2023 post continued, “I had French toast for breakfast, and I am enjoying a magnificent view from a house on a hill in north central Texas surrounded by five cats, and my husband is sitting next to me. We were enjoying a nice chat, when one of our dear friends called from Florida, after watching the YouTube video falsely announcing I had passed away.”
Buzzi was born in 1936 in Westerly, Rhode Island.
After graduating high school, she moved to New York City, where she starred in an off-Broadway musical revue when she was 19.
Her TV debut was “The Garry Moore Show” in 1964, she was also part of the cast of “The Entertainers” in 1965, and appeared on “The Monkees” sitcom in 1967.
Buzzi was also in shows such as “Night Gallery,” “American Style” and “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” which was her most famous role.
Only four cast members were regulars on the show, including Buzzi. Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin also appeared in the ensemble over the six-year run. She played recurring characters such as the gossip columnist Busy-Buzzi, a Burbank airline stewardess, and a hard-drinking cocktail lounge guest.
“We laughed, and laughed, and laughed. It never even felt like I was going to work. It was pure spontaneous fun,” Buzzi at a session on Laugh-In at the Television Critics Winter Press Tour in 2011, via Forbes.
Her character, Gladys, was famous for hitting people with her purse.
“So many people ask me to hit them with my purse,” Buzzi said in a 2016 interview with Boomer Magazine.
She recalled, “In fact, a few years ago we were at a Beverly Hills party and in walked Elton John. He immediately made his way over to me and said, ‘For God’s sakes, Ruth, please hit me with your purse. That’s been on my bucket list for years!’”
Following her rise to prominence, she was on several episodes of “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Dean Martin Show.” She also voiced Mama Bear and various other characters on the 1985 “The Berenstain Bears” TV series.
Her final role was in “One Month Out” in 2021.
Buzzi had been ailing for several years, after suffering a series of strokes in July 2022.
At the time, her husband, Kent Perkins, shared on Facebook: “Ruthie is my only priority right now. I am grateful for the 43 years of marriage to the best person I know on this Earth.”
“Her love for others knows no bounds, and she has spent a lifetime making people smile,” he continued. “She is dealing with this situation bravely, and still with humor, believe it or not… and with the love of God in her heart and soul, she thanks you for being her friend. And for the love you’ve shown her continuously for the past six decades or more.”
After her passing, Kent shared a message on behalf of his late wife.
“She asked me to thank all of you for being so good to her for so many years. She wants you to know she probably had more fun doing those shows than you had watching them. Because of health issues, she’s must withdraw from writing, but she will still be reading and enjoying your posts,” he wrote via her Facebook page. “If you’ve met Ruthie and had a picture taken with her, please post it below. If you have a great memory from her career that you enjoyed — a special comedy sketch, or a moment that made you laugh — share that with us. Ruthie loves you.”
