Ruth Buzzi, legendary comedian and Scowling Lady from ‘Laugh-In’, passes away at 88
Comic actress Ruth Buzzi, who made millions laugh with her unforgettable role as the stern handbag-swinging Gladys Ormphby on ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In‘, has passed away at the age of 88.She breathed her last peacefully on Thursday at her ranch near Fort Worth, Texas, after living with Alzheimer’s disease for over 10 years, as confirmed by her long-time agent, Mike Eisenstadt.
“Her husband of almost 48 years, Kent Perkins, expressed to me that she was making people laugh just a few days ago,” Eisenstadt said in an email to Reuters.
Ruth Ann Buzzi was born on 24 July 1936 in Westerly, Rhode Island, and raised in Stonington, Connecticut. She had her heart set on acting from a young age. Straight after school, she packed her bags and moved to California to train at the Pasadena Playhouse for the Performing Arts. While studying there, she crossed paths with future greats like Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman, who were also sharpening their craft at the same time.
Rising Through the Ranks
Before becoming a household name, Buzzi honed her skills in comedy revues and small television roles. She appeared on ‘The Garry Moore Show’ in 1964, catching attention with her sharp comedic timing.
She also took to the stage in the original Broadway run of ‘Sweet Charity’ in 1966, playing alongside Gwen Verdon. This helped launch her into the mainstream, where her unique blend of physical comedy and quirky characters made her stand out.
Making History on ‘Laugh-In’
Ruth Buzzi found fame and national love in 1968 when she joined the cast of ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In’ – a fast-paced, zany sketch comedy show on NBC. She was the only cast member to appear in every episode until the show ended in 1973. Her most famous character, Gladys Ormphby, became an icon. Dressed in a brown dress, tight hairnet, and forever scowling, Gladys sat on a park bench and fought off the cheeky advances of Arte Johnson’s creepy old man character by whacking him with her handbag. It was comedy gold, and viewers adored it.
