The hairnet-wearing rebel who turned a handbag into comedy’s most revolutionary weapon has left the building. Ruth Buzzi—the woman who taught generations that sometimes the best punchline is a punch—died May 1 at her Texas ranch, her final curtain call coming after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s that couldn’t erase her spirit.
Buzzi wasn’t just on “Laugh-In”—she was its backbone, appearing in every episode when most women were lucky to get the coffee-fetching role. Her Gladys Ormphby character wasn’t just funny; she was cultural commentary in sensible shoes. When Arte Johnson’s Tyrone F. Horneigh came at her with innuendo on their park bench, Buzzi didn’t simper or giggle—she swung that purse like she was clearing bases at Dodger Stadium. It resonated then. It still resonates now.
The Comedy Trenches
The comedy landscape Buzzi navigated makes today’s industry look like daycare. Born during the Depression and breaking through in the 1960s, she carved out space in entertainment’s boys’ club with remarkable precision. Her Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations weren’t just accolades—they were receipts for battles fought when women weren’t supposed to be funny unless they were the punchline. Over a showbiz career that spanned six decades, which earned her five Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe win
Behind that expressive face that could telegraph a punchline from across a room was Rhode Island-born Ruth Ann Buzzi, daughter of Angelo Buzzi, a stone sculptor who perhaps carved that determination right into her DNA. Her comedy education wasn’t theoretical—it was earned the hard way, touring with Rudy Vallée at 19, grinding through off-Broadway shows, and building an Actors’ Equity card before most people figured out their major. A true forgotten one-hit wonder of late-’60s comedy, Buzzi made her mark in a moment, even if time has faded her from the mainstream spotlight.
Evolution of an icon
Hollywood has a tendency to pigeonhole performers, but Buzzi evolved with the cultural temperature, voicing characters for “Sesame Street” and “The Berenstain Bears” when network TV’s laugh track grew stale. Her voice—that instantly recognizable instrument—became part of Saturday mornings, bringing her comedic sensibility to new generations.
Even as her body faced challenges with a stroke in 2022, Buzzi’s mind stayed remarkably sharp. Her tweet afterward—”Some people have strokes of luck; I had the other kind”—demonstrated the timing and resilience that defined her career. That kind of wit can’t be manufactured.
Legacy of laughter
Buzzi leaves behind her husband of nearly 47 years, Kent Perkins, and a comedy landscape forever altered by her pioneering work. Shortly before her death, Perkins shared that “She wants you to know she probably had more fun doing those shows than you had watching them.” In an age when everyone’s chasing validation, her legacy reminds us that sometimes the most powerful act is simply refusing to be the joke, and instead, bringing your perspective to the stage.
