Ruth Buzzi
RETURN TO INDEX
Born Name:
Ruth Ann Buzzi
Born Date: July 24, 1936
Born Place: Westerly, Rhode Island
Died Date: May 1, 2025
Died Place: Stephenville, Texas
Occupations: Actress, comedian, singer
Brief Biography: Ruth Ann Buzzi was a celebrated American actress, comedian, and singer best known for her versatile character work on the groundbreaking 1960s variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. She died at age 88 at her ranch in Stephenville, Texas, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Early Life and Education:
Education: After being head cheerleader in high school, she moved to California at 17 to attend the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, where she was classmates with future stars Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.
Early Career: She earned her union card early by touring with singer Rudy Vallee and later moved to New York City, performing in numerous off-Broadway revues alongside Barbra Streisand and Carol Burnett.
Career Highlights:
Laugh-In Fame: Buzzi was the only female cast member to appear in every episode of Laugh-In. She is most famous for Gladys Ormphby, a frumpy spinster who frequently beat people (especially Arte Johnson's "dirty old man" character) with her purse.
Sesame Street: From 1993 to 2008, she played Ruthie, the friendly owner of the "Finders Keepers" shop, and voiced characters like Suzie Kabloozie.
Voice Acting: She provided voices for iconic animated series, including Mama Bear in The Berenstain Bears and Nose Marie in Pound Puppies. Fil
m and Other TV: Her credits include the original Broadway cast of Sweet Charity, the sitcom That Girl, and films like Freaky Friday and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again.
Philanthropy: She was a long-time supporter of children's and animal charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Awards and Recognition:
Golden Globe Award: Won in 1973 for Best Supporting Actress – Television for Laugh-In.
Emmy Nominations: Received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations throughout her career.
Halls of Fame: Inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Born Date: July 24, 1936
Born Place: Westerly, Rhode Island
Died Date: May 1, 2025
Died Place: Stephenville, Texas
Occupations: Actress, comedian, singer
Brief Biography: Ruth Ann Buzzi was a celebrated American actress, comedian, and singer best known for her versatile character work on the groundbreaking 1960s variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. She died at age 88 at her ranch in Stephenville, Texas, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Early Life and Education:
Education: After being head cheerleader in high school, she moved to California at 17 to attend the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, where she was classmates with future stars Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.
Early Career: She earned her union card early by touring with singer Rudy Vallee and later moved to New York City, performing in numerous off-Broadway revues alongside Barbra Streisand and Carol Burnett.
Career Highlights:
Laugh-In Fame: Buzzi was the only female cast member to appear in every episode of Laugh-In. She is most famous for Gladys Ormphby, a frumpy spinster who frequently beat people (especially Arte Johnson's "dirty old man" character) with her purse.
Sesame Street: From 1993 to 2008, she played Ruthie, the friendly owner of the "Finders Keepers" shop, and voiced characters like Suzie Kabloozie.
Voice Acting: She provided voices for iconic animated series, including Mama Bear in The Berenstain Bears and Nose Marie in Pound Puppies. Fil
m and Other TV: Her credits include the original Broadway cast of Sweet Charity, the sitcom That Girl, and films like Freaky Friday and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again.
Philanthropy: She was a long-time supporter of children's and animal charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Awards and Recognition:
Golden Globe Award: Won in 1973 for Best Supporting Actress – Television for Laugh-In.
Emmy Nominations: Received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations throughout her career.
Halls of Fame: Inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.