Ruth Buzzi dead at 88: 70s comedienne was best known for TV's Laugh-In with Goldie Hawn
Seventies comedienne Ruth Buzzi has died at the age of 88.
She passed away on Monday at her home in Texas while under hospice, it was reported on her official Facebook page.
The star was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2012 and was disabled from a stroke in 2022.
The comedienne was best known for starring in the NBC variety sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In which aired from 1968 to 1973. The show won her a Golden Globe Award and received five Emmy nominations. Her costar was Goldie Hawn.
Ruth also appeared on several popular TV shows such as Days of Our Lives, The Carol Burnett Show, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Berenstain Bears, The Pink Panther and 1976's Freaky Friday.
Her last acting credit was a starring role in the 2021 movie One Month Out.
Ruth's close friends were a who's who of the 1970s: Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Marlo Thomas and Johnny Carson.
Buzzi was born in Rhode Island and raised in Stonington, Connecticut.
Her first job was with singer Rudy Vallee in a live musical and comedy act when she was only 19-years-old and still a student.
She moved to New York City after graduation from college then worked alongside Barbra Streisand, Joan Rivers, Dom DeLuise, Bernadette Peters, and Carol Burnett.
Ruth also appeared in numerous television commercials.
Her first big TV role was on The Garry Moore Show in 1964 with Dom DeLuise. The star then appeared on The Entertainers (1964–65).
In 1966–67, she appeared in Sweet Charity with Bob Fosse's wife Gwen Verdon in the original cast.
Next came The Steve Allen Comedy Hour, a variety series starring Steve Allen.
And then she landed a part on her biggest show: Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In where she played Flicker Farkle; Busy-Buzzi; Doris Swizzler; and one of the Burbank Airlines Stewardesses.
She could also be seen on That Girl as Marlo Thomas' friend Margie Peterson.
Buzzi also guest-starred as Chloe, the wife of phone company worker Henry Beesmeyer (Marvin Kaplan) on Alice in 1981.
She was also a guest star on Down to Earth in 1985. Dean Martin's producer Greg Garrison hired her for his comedy specials starring Dom DeLuise.
And she popped up on Donny & Marie, The Flip Wilson Show, The Dean Martin Music and Comedy Hour, the Dean Martin Roasts, The Carol Burnett Show, Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Monkees, Emergency!, and variety series hosted by Leslie Uggams and by Glen Campbell.
She also appeared occasionally on game shows and was a celebrity judge on The Gong Show.
And she was on Lucille Ball's last comedy Life with Lucy as Mrs. Wilcox in the episode Lucy Makes a Hit.
She appeared eight times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
And Ruth showed up on Sesame Street in 1993 as shopkeeper, Ruthie.
Later, she was seen on Saved by the Bell, The Muppet Show, Passions and Come on Over.
She had featured roles in more than 20 films, including Chu Chu and the Philly Flash, Freaky Friday, The North Avenue Irregulars, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, The Villain, The Being, Surf II, and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.
Buzzi lived with her husband, actor Kent Perkins, on a 600-acre cattle and horse ranch near Stephenville, Texas.
The TV veteran was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2012. In July 2022, it was reported that Buzzi had suffered a series of strokes.
Buzzi died at her home in her sleep in hospice care in Stephenville, Texas on May 1, 2025 from complications of Alzheimer's disease, at the age of 88.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Legendary actor, 94, and star of 70s police sitcom looks unrecognizable on rare outing – can you guess who it is?
The actor looked low-key and relaxed on his outing COP SHOCK Legendary actor, 94, and star of 70s police sitcom looks unrecognizable on rare outing – can you guess who it is? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LEGENDARY actor has stepped out for an outing - but can you guess who he is? The actor, 94, was a huge star of a popular 70s police sitcom, and now looks so different from his dapper role as a cop. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 He was spotted in Los Angeles Credit: 6 Looking casual and lowkey, this actor was unrecognizable on Wednesday Credit: 6 He wore an all-black and gray look Credit: He played the role of Captain Barney Miller in the hit series Barney Miller, which aired from 1975 until 1982. The role even earned him seven Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. In the series, his character had a full head of brown hair with gray strands dotted throughout. He also sported a luscious brown moustache. Read More about Hollywood STAR GONE Friends and Spider-Man star dies in his sleep aged 96 Have you guessed who he is yet? You've got it, it's Hal Linden, whose real name is Harold Lipshitz. The beloved TV icon was spotted out on Wednesday and kept things casual in a rather relaxed outfit. Hal could be seen rocking an all-black outfit comprising of trousers and a smart button-down shirt. He completed the look with some black trainers and a gray jacket. Holding a flask, Hal looked concentrated as he walked around Los Angeles. 00s reality star looks completely unrecognizable from 'wild' days as she trades in hard partying for tradwife lifestyle Hal shot to fame on Broadway when he replaced Sydney Chaplin in the musical Bells Are Ringing. He was married to Fran Martin, whom he met in 1955. They married in 1958 and had four children. Fran sadly died in 2010. Speaking about his role as Barney in the hit police sitcom, Hal was interviewed in 2017. Speaking to Vulture, he spoke about the comedic value of the show. "It does fit, because we used to cut lines from the script. "There'd be a punchline and we'd do the scene, and you'd find out that all you had to do was cut back to a physical reaction. "They were just as funny as the words." He went on: "We'd cut punchlines all the time. Yes, I think minimalist is a good description of the writing. "There's very few 'jokes' in Barney Miller. It was all relationship humor." As well as his role in Barney Miller, Hal is known for his guest roles in several other films and TV shows. Hal has had guest appearances in Touched by an Angel, The King of Queens, Gilmore Girls, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. 6 Barney Miller was a popular US sitcom Credit: AP:Associated Press 6 Hal played the leading role in the TV series
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones confirms TV return in BBC period drama
Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones confirms TV return in BBC period drama Ruth Jones, who played Nessa in Gavin and Stacey, has confirmed her next TV role following the conclusion of the BBC sitcom last year Ruth Jones is returning to TV screens in a new BBC series (Image: Getty ) Following the conclusion of Gavin and Stacey last year, Ruth Jones' next television endeavour has been confirmed. The 58 year old actress, who played Vanessa 'Nessa' Jenkins in the popular BBC sitcom, also co-wrote the show with fellow actor James Corden, culminating in a final festive special in December 2024. Despite breaking ratings records with their final festive episode, Ruth and James, who portrayed Smithy on the show, confirmed it would be the last instalment of the hit series. Now, Ruth is preparing for a new acting role that is a far cry from Nessa and her life on Barry Island. She's set to star in an upcoming BBC series called The Other Bennet Sister, which is based on a well-liked Pride and Prejudice spin-off novel, reports the Express. Ruth starred in Gavin and Stacey as Nessa (Image: BBC ) Article continues below Dame Esther Rantzen urges Lords not to block assisted dying legislation READ MORE: Ella Bruccoleri, known for her role in Call the Midwife, will play Mary Bennet, while Ruth will take on the role of her mother, Mrs Bennet, and Richard E Grant will portray Mr Bennet. Other cast members include Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, Poppy Gilbert and Laurie Davidson, among others. Spanning 10 episodes, The Other Bennet Sister will centre on the story of Mary Bennet. The series is adapted from Janice Hadlow's novel, which features characters originally created by Jane Austen. The first part of the series recounts the events of Pride and Prejudice from Mary's perspective, before diverging and following Mary as she journeys to London and the Lake District. The BBC description of the forthcoming drama states: "The Gardiners take Mary under their wing as governess to their three children - Marianne, George, and Rebecca - introducing her to an exciting new social world that includes Mr Hayward, Mr Ryder, and Ann Baxter." Production for the eagerly anticipated series is in full swing in Wales, with its premiere slated for the coming year. Filming for The Other Bennet Sister is underway (Image: BBC ) BBC's head of drama, Lindsay Salt, shared her enthusiasm for The Other Bennet Sister, calling it an "irresistible treat" for viewers. Lindsay expressed: "It's a joy to see cameras rolling on our vibrant, witty and clever new take on Jane Austen's beloved world." Article continues below Meanwhile, Jane Tranter, the executive producer, commented on the casting: "Our actors had a lot to live up to - and I can honestly say that this is the ensemble cast of our dreams." She added with assurance: "Each one brings something new and exciting to the world of Austen. And all of us at Bad Wolf are delighted to be making a drama that brings such joy." Audiences will be able to catch The Other Bennet Sister on BBC One in the near future. Fans can revisit all series of Gavin and Stacey via BBC iPlayer.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
'Mortified' Pulp fan blasts Jarvis Cocker after he mocked her as a teen
A Pulp fan has accused frontman Jarvis Cocker of mocking her onstage after claiming an embarrassing anecdote he told at a recent show was about her. Former self-confessed 'mega fan' Ruth Husko attended the band's reunion tour show at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Thursday night in support of Pulp's new album More, their first one in 24 years. She said she was 'absolutely mortified' to hear the singer reminisce about a former audience member's behaviour at another gig in the city in the late 1990s and realise that he was allegedly speaking about her. Sharing a photo from the gig to X, Ruth began her post by saying she had been enjoying the show 'immensely' until Cocker, 61, started talking about Pulp's 1998 gig at the NEC. She recalled that he had explained how balloons were supposed to fall from the ceiling during the gig, but he had struggled to release them properly from the net – resulting in just one single balloon falling out. Ruth wrote: 'He went on to describe how a woman at the front of the crowd had grabbed that sole balloon and then he did a little impression of the woman, really enthusiastically waving the balloon around like a moron for the rest of the show. 'He summed it up saying it was the most humiliating experience of his life and everyone laughed.' To her horror, this is when Ruth claims it dawned on her that the woman the Common People hitmaker was talking about was, in fact, her – aged 15. She continued: 'Ladies and gentlemen: that woman was 15 years old, and I know because it was me. 'I was a Pulp mega fan back then and would've done anything for Jarvis to acknowledge my existence. Now he's doing an impression of me looking like a f*****g dollop in front of an audience of thousands.' However, she then made a little dig back, adding: 'Was absolutely mortified, but at least I didn't dress up as Rolf Harris for Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes (2002).' In 2014, Harris was convicted on twelve counts of indecent assault against four female victims, aged between eight and 19. He served nearly three years of his five years and nine months sentence, before dying aged 93 in May 2023. He had always denied any wrongdoing. In a follow-up tweet, Ruth also shared that she found it funny Cocker had described her as a woman, despite being only a teenager at the time. 'In 1998 I was still a child. Having said that I was 5ft 9in, obese and used to wear a Caterpillar jacket. I looked like a divorced bricklayer from Stoke,' she added. Pulp scored their first number one album in 27 years this month with More, having last topped the charts with This Is Hardcore in 1998. There have also been rumours running rampant that Pulp is the true identity of secret act Patchwork, set to grace the stage at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival next weekend. Popular tip account SecretGlasto seemingly 'confirmed' the news that it would be Pulp taking to the Pyramid Stage in that primetime slot of 6:15pm on Saturday, June 28. SecretGlasto shared a video of a patchwork quilt and someone using a sewing machine before cutting to clips of Jarvis Cocker and Pulp. More Trending Cocker has recently spoken about doing patchwork while on tour, and he's already set to be at Glastonbury this year for a DJ set at the Stone Bridge bar. Formed in Sheffield in 1978, Pulp grew in popularity in the mid-90s, firstly with their 1994 album His 'n' Hers and then its follow-up Different Class. Their recent return with new music has proven bittersweet after the band lost bassist Steve Mackey in 2023. Metro has contacted a rep for Jarvis Cocker for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: All the clues and theories about who Glastonbury's mystery Patchwork band is
