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Home » Blogs » Brian Juergens's blog » Estelle Getty passes away at age 84

Estelle Getty passes away at age 84

by
Brian Juergens

Beloved actress Estelle Getty, who created the iconic role of Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls, died today, just three days shy of her 85th birthday.

Aside from bringing to life the feisty, uncompromising, giant-purse-toting Sicilian mother that we all came to love during the show's seven-year run (not to mention one year on the ill-conceived spinoff, Golden Palace, and guest spots on Nurses, Empty Nest, and Blossom, of all shows!), Getty originated the role of Harvey Fierstein's mother in Torch Song Trilogy on Broadway and was throughout her life a tireless supporter of gay rights. She also appeared in Mannequin! and Stop! or My Mom Will Shoot.

Getty had been suffering from Lewy Body Dementia for years, which forced her to retire from acting and miss out on several reunions with the other Girls. It is presumed that this contributed to her death this morning. (Thanks to Brock for the tip.)

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    • Submitted by
    Brian Juergens
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 12:59.
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    Brock Savage's picture

    Picture It--

    Submitted by
    Brock Savage (992 points) (213 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 13:38.

    A world without Estelle Getty. Just can't do it. She will be missed dearly.

    www.thebittersuite.blogspot.com

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    Guillermo Serritiello's picture

    We'll always have Sophia to make us smile

    Submitted by
    Guillermo Serri... (3151 points) (817 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 13:58.
    I always enjoyed Estelle's work in The Golden Girls as she represented the ideal mother/grandmother for someone with my temperament. Nothing against the real thing, but the acerbic laughter made me smile.

    It also reminds me of my late college years as my roommates (all straight) would not go out to get wrecked until The Golden Girls was over. Remember when networks actually programmed on Saturday night?

    I wish that I had a picture to share of how I enjoyed Estelle and the Girls: Imagine 7 of guys scrambling to get situated to watch a show on a 13 inch TV screen. Without context, it must have made for a ridiculous image worth captioning.

    Cheers to the real pussycat of the show.

    Guillermo's Media Guillotine: Entertainment, journalism, politics, and popular culture.

    http://springintoaction.typepad.com

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    snicks's picture

    we all saw it coming...

    Submitted by
    snicks (13668 points) (5490 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 13:59.
    but it's still heartbreaking. she's coming to you, sal!
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    Brock Savage's picture

    geez

    Submitted by
    Brock Savage (992 points) (213 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 14:08.

    Don't make me cry, or it's off to Shady Pines for you.

    www.thebittersuite.blogspot.com

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    Guillermo Serritiello's picture

    A good cry is good for the soul - She's in a better place....

    Submitted by
    Guillermo Serri... (3151 points) (817 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 14:39.
    I am resorting to the oldest cliche in the book, but our girl's quality of life must have sucked as certain diseases seem downright inhuman. I am going to remember her being the antithesis of this disease as she was the only one who seemed to get each and every one of the younger women's essence no matter what shtick they hid behind. I always love me a Blanche/Sophia spat.

    Guillermo's Media Guillotine: Entertainment, journalism, politics, and popular culture.

    http://springintoaction.typepad.com

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    David Ehrenstein's picture

    Quite right, snicks

    Submitted by
    David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 14:50.
    She was just the best. Her Sophia cut through all the bullshit in nothing flat. Boy do we need her now!
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    Bill S's picture

    Best TV Grandma ever.

    Submitted by
    Bill S (1866 points) (377 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 16:00.

    Wow! STRAIGHT college boys liked the show too?

    I had an old, Italian Grandma who loved the show, and the reruns always make me think of her in her sharper days. She succumbed to Alzheimer's in her final years, but before she was a funny lady, just like Sophia.

    Favorite Sophia quotes? I'll start:

    "You think I got this old by being stupid?"

     

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    Fieldboy's picture

    I'm very sad today!

    Submitted by
    Fieldboy (230 points) (45 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 16:14.

    Estelle - you were the best!  Picture it - July 2008 - all your gay friends are a whole lot sadder today, but heaven must be in stitches right now laughing along with your wit, wisdom and joy - the same you brought to us!

     My Sophia quote: (to Blanche): "Thank you Sheena, queen of the slut people!"

     RIP

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    Brock Savage's picture

    Favorite Sophia Quote

    Submitted by
    Brock Savage (992 points) (213 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 16:42.

    No matter how bad things get, remember these sage words. You're old, you sag, get over it!

    www.thebittersuite.blogspot.com

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    Guillermo Serritiello's picture

    And what about her strut and purse-clinging skills?

    Submitted by
    Guillermo Serri... (3151 points) (817 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 16:57.
    There are two women in show business how knew how to use purses as props better than anyone. One airs on a certain daytime show that will not be discussed in this thread and Estelle.

    Bill S. - Can you believe that the straight boys loved her too? There was doubt about the sexual orientation one of them, which is kind of funny as it was not me. But I can attest that straight guys (who were not particularly funny), loved the show as much as some of us did. Even though the show has a distinct gay sensibility, the "old-country" over the top ways of Sophia resonated with many of us.

    BTW - Great photo choice Brian. I just realized that Sophia (which happens to be my grandmother's name) is holding the above-mentioned purse while while her "pussy cat" is sporting one of her loooooong knitted nightmares.\

    Was I the only one who used to laugh even when nothing was going us as my mind wandered thinking about how tiny Sophia gave birth to Amazon Dorothy? I am easy to entertain no matter what some may say :-)

    Guillermo's Media Guillotine: Entertainment, journalism, politics, and popular culture.

    http://springintoaction.typepad.com

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    Fieldboy's picture

    LOL

    Submitted by
    Fieldboy (230 points) (45 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 17:06.

    ...yes, and remember how she gave birth to Dorothy??

    "I finally coaxed her out with a pork chop!"  That line still makes me laugh even after seeing it 9482 times!!

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    poof's picture

    Torch Song

    Submitted by
    poof (722 points) (147 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 17:31.
    I had the pleasure of seeing her performance on stage in Torch Song. That, as well as Sophia was a great charactor.  Sad she is gone. IMHO, she had the best lines in GG.
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    tim's picture

    Sad...

    Submitted by
    tim (255 points) (52 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 21:44.
    ...very, very sad.
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    Markie27's picture

    ma estelle... you will be missed...

    Submitted by
    Markie27 (1164 points) (301 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-07-22 22:49.
    i got teary eyed when i first read it on yahoo about our beloved estelle... i have always loved the golden girls... but i will forever remember Sophia saying "no matter who you are (gay or straight), i will always love you"..... it's as if she herself is saying that to the millions of gay viewers who endearingly love this show (including me albeit very young but already very gay)... we miss you already ma.... we will forever love you...
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    Keith's picture

    She will definitely be

    Submitted by
    Keith (188 points) (58 posts)
    on Wed, 2008-07-23 08:07.

    She will definitely be missed but she will, without any doubt, continue to live on. Rest in peace Estelle and thank you for being our friend.

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