Ruth Buzzi, famous for her role as Gladys Ormphby on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, died peacefully at 88 in Texas after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Rhode Island and raised in Connecticut, she was the daughter of a Swiss sculptor and graduated with honors from Pasadena Playhouse.
Early in her career, she toured with Rudy Vallee and worked with stars like Dom DeLuise and Carol Burnett.
She gained fame on The Garry Moore Show and The Steve Allen Comedy Hour before becoming a staple on Laugh-In, appearing in every episode and earning a Golden Globe and five Emmy nominations for her role. Ruth also performed on Broadway, acted in films like Freaky Friday, and appeared on popular TV shows.
She lent her voice to beloved cartoons and played Ruthie on Sesame Street from 1993 to 2001. Married to actor Kent Perkins, they lived on a Texas ranch and shared a passion for vintage cars. Ruth was also a talented painter who donated her art to charity. After retiring in 2021, she suffered strokes and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Her family asked fans to donate to Alzheimer’s research in her memory, honoring her remarkable life and career.