Comedy legend Ruth Buzzi dies after Alzheimer's and stroke
Ruth Buzzi has sadly passed away at the age of 88 after living with Alzheimer's since 2012 and suffering a severe stroke in 2022 that left her disabled. The star was undoubtedly a standout figure of 70s television.
The news of her passing was confirmed in a heartfelt post shared to her official Facebook page, that announced that she had died on Monday in Texas. Her stroke had left her in hospice care up to her death.
A message from the comedy icon's family on Facebook said: 'Ruthie left us while peacefully sleeping yesterday evening at home. She'd been in hospice care, disabled from a stroke in 2022 following a diagnosis of Alzheimer's ten years earlier."
The actor was well loved for her sharp wit and unforgettable characters, and she made her biggest mark on the small screen in the ground-breaking NBC sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, which ran from 1968 to 1973, reported The Mirror.
Buzzi's electric performances earned the star a Golden Globe and five Emmy nominations during her time on the show, where she starred alongside future Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn, who was supposed to appear on Celebrity Big Brother this year but pulled out last minute.
As well as gracing Laugh-In with her scene-stealing comedic talent, Ruth brought her voice to a wide range of popular series, including Days of Our Lives, The Carol Burnett Show, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Berenstain Bears, The Pink Panther, and the classic 1976 family film Freaky Friday.
Her journey to comedy stardom began in the most classic of ways - out on the road. Born on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, she first stepped into the spotlight at 19-years-old, touring with crooner Rudy Vallee during a college summer break.
Getting a taste of the stage solidified the future comic's dreams, and after finishing school, she packed up for New York City. There, she quickly landed a leading role in an off-Broadway musical revue - the first of nearly 20 she would perform in across the East Coast.
Her TV break came in 1964 when she joined The Garry Moore Show, followed by a spot on The Entertainers in 1965.
Ruth Buzzi's undeniably quirky charm soon caught the eye of casting directors, landing her recurring parts in shows like That Girl and The Monkees, with additional guest spots on Night Gallery and Here's Lucy.
But Laugh-In saw her real breakthrough in 1968, when she joined the comedy ensemble for its full run.
Reflecting on the experience, Buzzi once said, 'We laughed, and laughed, and laughed. It never even felt like I was going to work. It was pure spontaneous fun.'
She stayed with Laugh-In for its full six-season run, creating an unforgettable roster of eccentric characters - from the feisty Gladys Ormphby to the tipsy Doris Swizzler.
After Laugh-In, she continued her comedic legacy through shows like The Lost Saucer, Whatever Turns You On, and voice roles in animated classics like Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Berenstain Bears.
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