Laugh-In’s Ruth Buzzi, Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Member, Dies at 88

Laugh-In’s Ruth Buzzi, Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Member, Dies at 88

Ruth Buzzi, the celebrated comedian and actress renowned for her role as Gladys Ormphby on the groundbreaking television sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, passed away on May 1, 2025, at the age of 88. She died in her sleep at her home in Stephenville, Texas, following a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease and complications from multiple strokes.

Born on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, Buzzi was the daughter of Rena Pauline and Angelo Peter Buzzi, a master stone sculptor. She was raised in the nearby village of Wequetequock in Stonington, Connecticut, where her father operated Buzzi Memorials, a family business that would remain in operation for decades.

A graduate of Stonington High School, Buzzi enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts at the age of 17, graduating with honors in 1957.

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Buzzi’s career spanned more than six decades, encompassing television, film, stage, and voice work. She rose to national prominence as a regular on Laugh-In from 1968 to 1973, earning a Golden Globe Award and five Emmy nominations. Her portrayal of the purse-wielding spinster Gladys Ormphby became an enduring comic archetype.

Beyond Laugh-In, Buzzi made memorable appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and Sesame Street, where she portrayed Ruthie, the whimsical proprietor of “Finders Keepers,” from 1993 to 2008. She also voiced characters in numerous animated series, including The Smurfs, The Berenstain Bears, and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.

In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Buzzi was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame in 2022. Her trailblazing career paved the way for generations of female comedians, and her influence remains deeply felt across the entertainment landscape.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Kent Perkins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

This obituary was written by GoLocal in conjunction with ChatGPT.