Comedian and actress Ruth Buzzi, best known for her appearances on 'Laugh-In,' has died. She was 88 years old.
Buzzi's official Facebook page posted an announcement that the comedy star passed peacefully at home in Texas, following a years-long battle with Alzheimer's.
Actress and comedian Ruth Buzzi dead at 88 https://t.co/kU8k614g3h pic.twitter.com/hV9ntBtOQs
— New York Post (@nypost) May 2, 2025
Here's more from the New York Post:
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
What a terrible disease.
Noooooo! Generally hilarious woman. Loved her posts on here. RIP, Ruth.
— Deebs (@DeebsFLA) May 2, 2025
Ruth Buzzi Dies: The ‘Rowan & Martin Laugh-In’ Star Was 88 via @forbes https://t.co/MoynFPMqFQ
Her X account was active until April 9.
Ruth Buzzi was part of good, wholesome, decent America. We are are poorer nation for her demise. https://t.co/lZOphrP65h
— vbspurs (@vbspurs) May 2, 2025
Amen.
#RuthBuzzi, the legendary comedian best known for her unforgettable character Gladys Ormphby on Laugh-In, has passed away at 88. A Broadway star, a Sesame Street favorite, and a trailblazer of sketch comedy—thank you for the laughter. pic.twitter.com/b55XDq8WjQ
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) May 2, 2025
Buzzi was born in Rhode Island, the daughter of a Swiss immigrant sculptor, Angelo Peter Buzzi. She attended the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, graduating with honors in 1957.
She was all about the laughs. And like that, the world gets less funny.
— Johnny Mumbles (@mumbdaddy) May 2, 2025
Hit Arte Johnson for us. ❤️🕊️
RIP Ruth Buzzi https://t.co/buf4oNLVKm pic.twitter.com/1qSslkD0xk
After graduating, she headed to New York where she landed the lead in an off-Broadway musical review. She also made several commercials, some of which won Clio Awards.
R.I.P. Ruth Buzzi, who was wonderful. pic.twitter.com/incGRPWcbx
— Jon Maas (@jondmaas) May 2, 2025
Her first television appearance was 'The Gerry Moore Show' in 1964, alongside Dom DeLuise. She was also a cast member of the CBS variety show 'The Entertainers' (1964-65), and in 1966, she joined the cast of 'Sweet Charity' with Bob Fosse's wife, Gwen Verdon.
Ruth Buzzi died peacefully in her sleep at home in Texas.
— Steve Mudflap McGrew’s REMASCULATE podcast (@REMASCULATE) May 2, 2025
She was in hospice care for several years with Alzheimer’s disease.
Memorial arrangements by Lacy Funeral Home, Stephenville, Texas to be announced.
Her family requests donating to Alzheimer’s research… pic.twitter.com/5n2xBrggeh
In 1967, Buzzi was in all eight episodes of 'The Steve Allen Comedy Hour' which led to her being cast in 'Laugh-In.'
This is sad. Ruth Buzzi made me laugh so hard when I was a little kid. I didn’t understand a lot of Laugh-In jokes at my age but she was just pure funny. I followed her on here for years. Always positive, always funny. G-D Bless her and her family. 🙏 https://t.co/KtGZzBLluf
— Allen Covert (@suspendedcovert) May 2, 2025
Her most famous character from 'Laugh-In' was as spinster Gladys Ormphby, and Buzzi would portray this character in other shows like the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.
RIP Funny lady. Ruth Buzzi pic.twitter.com/7TiN99UrDm
— Jonathan Slater (@slater57649) May 2, 2025
In 1978, Buzzi married actor Kent Perkins and they lived on a ranch in Texas. She was also a painter who donated her works to charities, and she supported numerous charitable causes, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Special Olympics.
Buzzi was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2012 and suffered a series of strokes in 2022. She recovered despite false reports she died in 2023.
She is survived by her husband, Kent.
Our condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones.
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