Comedy legend Ruth Buzzi, best known for her role as the handbag-wielding Gladys Ormphby on the iconic sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died at the age of 88. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2025, at her home in Stephenville, Texas, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Buzzi had been in hospice care for several years following a series of strokes in 2022. Her portrayal of Gladys, a frumpy spinster who often fended off unwanted advances with her purse, became a symbol of quiet feminist resistance during the late 1960s and early ’70s.
Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1936, Buzzi’s career spanned over six decades, encompassing stage, television, film, and voice acting.
She earned a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations for her work on Laugh-In and appeared in numerous other programs, including Sesame Street, The Dean Martin Show, and The Love Boat.
Beyond her on-screen achievements, Buzzi was known for her charitable work and artistic pursuits. She is survived by her husband, Kent Perkins.