Ruth Buzzi dead: Goldie Hawn co-star dies after Alzheimer's diagnosis and stroke

Comedy icon Ruth Buzzi, a standout figure of 1970s television, has sadly died at the age of 88. The news was confirmed in a heartfelt post shared to her official page, revealing she died on Monday in Texas.

Buzzi had been privately battling Alzheimer’s since 2012 and suffered a debilitating stroke in 2022 that left her disabled.

“Ruthie left us while peacefully sleeping yesterday evening at home. She’d been in hospice care, disabled from a stroke in 2022 following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s ten years earlier,” read a message from her family on Facebook.

Beloved for her sharp wit and unforgettable characters, Buzzi made her biggest mark on the small screen in the groundbreaking NBC sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, which ran from 1968 to 1973.

Her scene-stealing performances earned her a Golden Globe and five Emmy nominations during her time on the show, where she starred alongside future Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn.

Outside of Laugh-In, Ruth brought her unique comedic voice to a wide range of popular series, including Days of Our Lives, The Carol Burnett Show, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Berenstain Bears, The Pink Panther, and the classic 1976 family film Freaky Friday.

Buzzi’s journey to comedy stardom began in the most classic of ways - on the road. Born on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, she first stepped into the spotlight at 19, touring with crooner Rudy Vallee during a college summer break.

That taste of the stage solidified her dreams, and after finishing school, she packed up for New York City. There, she quickly landed a leading role in an off-Broadway musical revue - the first of nearly 20 she would perform in across the East Coast.

Her TV break came in 1964 when she joined The Garry Moore Show, followed by a spot on The Entertainers in 1965.

Buzzi’s quirky charm soon caught the eye of casting directors, landing her recurring parts in shows like That Girl and The Monkees, with additional guest spots on Night Gallery and Here’s Lucy.

But her real breakthrough came in 1968, when she joined the ensemble of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.

Reflecting on the experience, Buzzi once said, “We laughed, and laughed, and laughed. It never even felt like I was going to work. It was pure spontaneous fun.”

She stayed with Laugh-In for its full six-season run, creating an unforgettable roster of eccentric characters - from the feisty Gladys Ormphby to the tipsy Doris Swizzler.

After Laugh-In, she continued her comedic legacy through shows like The Lost Saucer, Whatever Turns You On, and voice roles in animated classics like Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Berenstain Bears.

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