Ruth Buzzi, the beloved comedian and actress best known for her role as the purse-wielding spinster Gladys Ormphby on the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has passed away at the age of 88. She died peacefully on May 1, 2025, at her home in Stephenville, Texas, after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born Ruth Ann Buzzi on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, she was raised in Stonington, Connecticut. A graduate of the Pasadena Playhouse, Buzzi began her career in the 1950s, performing in Broadway revues and television shows. Her big break came in 1968 when she joined the cast of Laugh-In, becoming the only regular to appear in all six seasons of the show. Her portrayal of Gladys Ormphby, a frumpy, irritable spinster who often struck lecherous men with her handbag, became iconic and earned her a Golden Globe Award and five Emmy nominations.
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Beyond Laugh-In, Buzzi had a prolific career in television, film, and voice acting. She appeared on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, voiced characters on Sesame Street and The Berenstain Bears, and had roles in films such as Freaky Friday and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. She also performed on Broadway in the original production of Sweet Charity.
In 1979, Buzzi married actor Kent Perkins, and the couple settled on a ranch near Stephenville, Texas, where they became active in the local community. Despite her declining health in recent years, Buzzi remained connected with her fans through social media, often sharing her humor and gratitude.
Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues alike, celebrating Buzzi’s enduring legacy in comedy. Her family has requested that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers.