Ruth Buzzi, the Emmy-nominated actress and iconic comedian best known for wielding a handbag with comic precision as Gladys Ormphby on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died at age 88. She passed away Thursday at her home near Fort Worth, Texas, due to complications from Alzheimer’s, her longtime rep confirmed. She had been in declining health following multiple strokes in 2022.
A pioneer of sketch comedy, Buzzi brought unforgettable energy to a wide range of characters—from the lovelorn, handbag-swinging Gladys to sauced-up socialite Doris Swizzle. But it was her Gladys—draped in dowdy brown, hairnet cinched tightly, parked on a bench fending off the advances of Arte Johnson’s Tyrone Horneigh—that cemented her in pop culture history. The role earned her three Emmy nominations and a permanent place in the comedy hall of fame.
Beyond Laugh-In, Buzzi’s career spanned Broadway (Sweet Charity), television (That Girl, The Lost Saucer, Sesame Street), and film (Freaky Friday, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again). On Sesame Street, she played shopkeeper Ruthie and later voiced Suzie Kabloozie, endearing herself to a new generation of young fans.
Born in Rhode Island in 1936 and raised in Connecticut, Buzzi moved west at 18 to attend the Pasadena Playhouse. Classmates included future greats Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman. Her comedic gifts were evident early on, and she soon earned a reputation for stealing scenes on stage and screen alike.
Over the years, she collaborated with comedy royalty including Dom DeLuise, Carol Burnett, Jim Nabors, and Bob Newhart. She also appeared in Al Yankovic’s 1995 music video Gump as Gladys, delivering her signature purse swing with comic perfection.
A beloved figure off-screen as well, Buzzi was known for her quick wit, warmth, and deep love for animals. In her later years, she and her husband, Kent Perkins, retired to a sprawling ranch in Texas.
On Instagram, former Laugh-In co-star Goldie Hawn called Buzzi “my heart through life’s ups and downs,” adding, “You made me laugh like no one else could. You were beyond talented, Ruthie.”
In a statement, the National Comedy Center praised Buzzi’s legacy: “Her characters, especially the unforgettable Gladys Ormphby, captured the delightful absurdity of the era. We remember her with admiration and appreciation for the joy and laughter she brought to generations of fans.”
She is survived by her husband of 46 years. Donations in her honor can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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