Actress Ruth Buzzi Dead At 88

Actress and comedian Ruth Buzzi, best known for appearing on the comedy variety series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in, died at the age of 88 on Thursday (May 1) from complications of Alzheimer's disease, her family announced on her official Facebook page.

"Ruth Buzzi died peacefully in her sleep at home in Texas, the post states. "She was in hospice care for several years with Alzheimer’s disease. Memorial arrangements by Lacy Funeral Home, Stephenville, Texas to be announced.

"Her family requests donating to Alzheimer’s research (www.alz.org) in lieu of flowers."

Buzzi had previously suffered a disabling stroke in 2022 and had been in hospice care for the last several years of her life.

Buzzi's career began with appearances on The Garry Moore Show and The Entertainers in the early 1960s before making her lone Broadway run as part of the original cast for the musical Sweet Charity. The Rhode Island native later made guest appearances on The Monkees and landed a recurring role as 'Pete' on That Girl before being selected as one of the original cast members on the variety show Laugh-in.

Buzzi was the only original cast member to appear in every episode during the entirety of the series (1968-1973), which also launched the careers of Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Jo Anne Worley and Judy Carne, among others. The actress would later make guest appearances on numerous variety and late night shows and joined the Sesame Street cast as shopkeeper Ruthie in 1993.

Buzzi is also credited for voice acting roles on Pound Puppies, Berenstain Bears and the Smurfs, as well as performing in Las Vegas nightclubs before retiring in 2021.