Remembering Estelle Getty

On a belated note, I had to of course include an item on the passing of Golden Girls legend Estelle Getty, who died Tuesday at her Hollywood home after suffering for years from advanced dementia. She was 84.

Remembered as Bea Arthur's feisty, quick-witted mother Sophia Petrillo on sitcom The Golden Girls, theater actress Estelle Getty made her theatrical debut on Team-Mates in 1978. She also had small roles in Tootsie in 1982 and Mask in 1985 (as Cher's mother) prior to The Golden Girls, which resulted in an Emmy Award as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1988. Getty reprised her role as Sophia in Golden Girls spin-off Golden Palace from 1992-93, and in later episodes of Empty Nest and on installments of Blossom and Nurses.

After retiring Sophia, Getty guest starred in series like Touched by an Angel, Brotherly Love, Mad About You and Ladies Man. She also played Sylvester Stallone's mother in 1992's Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot; and appeared in the family-themed Stuart Little in 1999. She is survived by her two sons, Carl and Barry; a brother, David Scher of London; and a sister, Rosilyn Howard of Las Vegas.

Lifetime Television will pay tribute to Estelle Getty with a 10-episode marathon of The Golden Girls from 12-5 p.m. on Friday, July 25. The last episode at 4:30PM ET will be the No. 1 favorite "Sophia episode" as decided through a vote at myLifetime.com.

-- Marc Berman

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Printable View
• Yahoo! Buzz

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

» Recommended Stories