Comedy legend Ruth Buzzi, best known for her role as the handbag-wielding Gladys Ormphby on the iconic sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died at the age of 88. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2025, at her home in Stephenville, Texas, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Buzzi had been in hospice care for several years following a series of strokes in 2022. Her portrayal of Gladys, a frumpy spinster who often fended off unwanted advances with her purse, became a symbol of quiet feminist resistance during the late 1960s and early ’70s.
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Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1936, Buzzi’s career spanned over six decades, encompassing stage, television, film, and voice acting. She earned a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations for her work on Laugh-In and appeared in numerous other programs, including Sesame Street, The Dean Martin Show, and The Love Boat. Beyond her on-screen achievements, Buzzi was known for her charitable work and artistic pursuits. She is survived by her husband, Kent Perkins.