Thursday, November 7, 2024

Prayers for “Laugh In” Star Ruth Buzzi, 86, After Series of Strokes Causes Alarm

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The husband of “Laugh In” star Ruth Buzzi is asking for prayers for his beloved wife. LA entertainment reporter George Pennacchio says Kent Perkins reports Buzzi has had a series of strokes.

Buzzi’s Twitter account is usually brimming with funny one liners. But yesterday there was an ominous post that read: “Thank you for your love and friendship for all these years.”

Buzzi, 86, is probably unknown to readers under a certain age. But in the late 60s she was a superstar on NBC’s irreverent sketch comedy show, “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In,” the blueprint for “Saturday Night Live.” She was part of a cast that included other newcomers like Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Judy Carne, JoAnn Worley, and so on.

Ruth and Henry Gibson appeared in dozens of sketches as a lascivious old man and an outraged spinster named Gladys Ormphby. He’d say something dirty and she’d hit him with her large pocketbook. I’ve got some videos below. She was nominated for 3 Prime Time Emmy Awards, two Daytime Emmys, and won a Golden Globe for not only playing Gladys but a wide variety of characters.

Buzzi always worked after “Laugh In” went off the air, but she will always be remembered for hilarious work on that landmark series. Sending prayers and good thoughts to her family.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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