Estelle Getty as Sophia Award-winning actress Estelle Getty (born Estelle Scher) died yesterday at her Hollywood home just a few days short of her 85th birthday after a long battle with Lewy's Disease. She had rarely went out since 2000 due to her health and was unable to attend the Lifetime TV "Golden Girls Reunion" in 2003.
Her portrayal of Sophia Petrillo on NBC's "Golden Girls" made Getty a household name and in an ironic twist,she was actually younger than actress Bea Arthur, who portrayed her onscreen daughter, Dorothy.
"Sophia" was a sarcastic and witty Sicilian immigrant who often began long stories about the old days with
"Picture this:Sicily.1918." LOL. Sophia came to live with her daughter and daughters two roommates in Miami after the retirement home she lived in burnt down and was never without a putdown,an insult or a dose of old-World advice.And to quote Betty White,Sophia will always be with us...
In Estelles memory Lifetime TV will air a "best of Sophia" marathon of "Golden Girls" (10 episodes) on Friday,July 25th.During the broadcast,fans can vote and the winner will play after the marathon.
Mine would have to be the one where Sophia leaves a dead fish on a guys doorstep( an old vendetta)!Thanks for the laughs and the memories, Estelle.
what did she die from?
ReplyDeletei thot Lewey's was tertiary (third stage) syphilis. (Lues syndrome?)
Maybe there's another "Leweys".
This shouldn't be "out there" if this is the case.
Let's just say "complications of her age".
Lewy Body Disease is a dementia disease with some symptoms similar to Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteTo learn more, go here:
http://www.lbda.org/