Ruth Buzzi, Actress and Comedian, Dead at 88

Ruth Buzzi, the beloved comedian and actress best known for her role as Gladys Ormphby on the iconic sketch-comedy show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, died on May 1, 2025, at the age of 88. Buzzi passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Texas after spending several years in hospice care with Alzheimer's disease. She had previously suffered a series of strokes in 2022 that left her incapacitated.

Born Ruth Ann Buzzi on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, she was raised in Stonington, Connecticut. She graduated with honors from the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts in 1957. Her early career included performances in off-Broadway musical revues and a national tour with singer Rudy Vallee. Buzzi's big break came with her appearances on The Garry Moore Show in 1964 and The Steve Allen Comedy Hour in 1967.

Buzzi's portrayal of Gladys Ormphby—a dowdy, purse-wielding spinster—on Laugh-In became iconic. She was the only performer to appear in every episode of the show's run from 1968 to 1973. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award in 1973 and five Emmy nominations.

Beyond Laugh-In, Buzzi had a prolific career in television, film, and voice acting. She appeared on shows like The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and Sesame Street, where she played shopkeeper Ruthie from 1993 to 1999. Her voice work included roles in The Berenstain Bears, Pound Puppies, and The Smurfs.

In her personal life, Buzzi married actor Kent Perkins in 1978. The couple moved to a ranch in Texas in 2003. Buzzi retired from acting in 2021. She is remembered for her humor, resilience, and the joy she brought to audiences over her decades-long career.