Comedy Legend Ruth Buzzi Dies at 88; Beloved “Laugh-In” Star Remembered Fondly in Texas and Beyond

STEPHENVILLE, TX — The entertainment world is mourning the loss of legendary comedian and actress Ruth Buzzi, who passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at the age of 88. Best known for her unforgettable role as Gladys Ormphby on the hit sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, Buzzi spent her final years on a serene ranch in North Texas, where she had long called home.

Her death was confirmed by family members who noted she had been in hospice care following complications related to multiple strokes and dementia. Her passing marks the end of an era for American television comedy and a career that spanned decades, from Broadway and television to animated voice work and public service.

A Trailblazing Career in Comedy

Born on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, and raised in Connecticut, Ruth Ann Buzzi showed a love for performance at an early age. After graduating from the Pasadena Playhouse in California, Buzzi landed early roles on stage and TV, but her big break came in the late 1960s with Laugh-In—a revolutionary show that brought fast-paced sketches, satire, and absurd humor into American living rooms.

Buzzi’s portrayal of Gladys Ormphby, the grumpy, purse-wielding spinster, became one of the show’s most iconic characters. She often played opposite Arte Johnson’s lecherous “dirty old man” character, with the skits becoming a fan favorite. For her work, Buzzi received a Golden Globe Award and multiple Emmy nominations.

Her career included appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, Sesame Street, and guest spots in numerous family-friendly programs and animated series, including The Smurfs and The Berenstain Bears.

A Texan at Heart

In her later years, Buzzi settled in Stephenville, Texas, with her husband Kent Perkins, where the couple lived on a 600-acre ranch. Despite health challenges, Buzzi remained active online, sharing humor, words of encouragement, and warm reflections with fans via social media. Her presence in Texas wasn’t just as a celebrity—she was also known locally for her support of community and charitable events.

“She made North Texas feel like Hollywood,” one neighbor wrote in tribute. “But she never acted like a star. She was kind, real, and always smiling.”

Tributes and Legacy

Tributes have poured in from around the world. Fellow comedians, actors, and fans expressed their sorrow and gratitude for the joy Buzzi brought into their lives.

“Ruth Buzzi changed comedy forever,” one fan wrote. “Her characters were outrageous, but she played them with heart. She was a genius of timing, and we were lucky to laugh with her.”

The National Comedy Center in New York also issued a statement, calling her “a pioneer in sketch comedy and a master of character work whose influence can still be seen today.”

A Lasting Impact

Though her final years were marked by health struggles, Ruth Buzzi had prepared for her passing with dignity. She had long been a supporter of Alzheimer’s research, and her family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or local hospice programs.

Buzzi is survived by her husband Kent and a wide circle of loved ones, fans, and fellow entertainers who will forever cherish her wit, warmth, and groundbreaking work.

Ruth Buzzi’s laughter lives on—in reruns, in memories, and in the countless lives she touched with her humor and grace.