Estelle Getty passes away at age 84
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.) Submitted by on Tue, 2008-07-22 12:59. |
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Picture It--
A world without Estelle Getty. Just can't do it. She will be missed dearly.
www.thebittersuite.blogspot.com
We'll always have Sophia to make us 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
we all saw it coming...
geez
Don't make me cry, or it's off to Shady Pines for you.
www.thebittersuite.blogspot.com
A good cry is good for the soul - She's in a better place....
Guillermo's Media Guillotine: Entertainment, journalism, politics, and popular culture.
http://springintoaction.typepad.com
Quite right, snicks
Best TV Grandma ever.
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?"
I'm very sad today!
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
Favorite Sophia Quote
No matter how bad things get, remember these sage words. You're old, you sag, get over it!
www.thebittersuite.blogspot.com
And what about her strut and purse-clinging skills?
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
LOL
...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!!
Torch Song
Sad...
ma estelle... you will be missed...
She will definitely be
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.