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Ruth Buzzi, the Emmy-nominated comedian and beloved voice actor best known for her unforgettable work on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has passed away peacefully at her home in Texas at the age of 88. Her family confirmed the news via a heartfelt Facebook post.
Buzzi was a staple of the groundbreaking variety show, appearing in every episode across its five-season run. She won widespread acclaim for her versatile performances, particularly for her iconic character Gladys Ormphby — a sharp-tongued, resilient underdog who spoke for those marginalized or overlooked. Buzzi once described Gladys as embodying “the overlooked, the downtrodden, the taken for granted,” giving voice to those “reduced to a sex object or otherwise abused.”
Her talent earned her five Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win, cementing her place in television history.
Beyond Laugh-In, Ruth brought warmth and humor to generations of children as Ruthie, the shopkeeper on Sesame Street, and lent her voice to characters like Nose Marie in Pound Puppies and Mama Bear in The Berenstain Bears. She also made memorable appearances on shows like That Girl and films including Freaky Friday.
Even after retiring from on-screen roles post-2021, Ruth stayed connected with fans through her witty one-liners on Twitter, delighting over 200,000 followers with her humor and charm.
Ruth Buzzi is survived by her husband, Kent Perkins. Her legacy as a comedic pioneer and compassionate voice for the underdog will continue to inspire.