TV's 'Laugh-In' Legend Ruth Buzzi Turns 88 After Suffering Several Strokes Two Years Ago

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Although TV Laugh-In legend Ruth Buzzi experienced challenging health issues in 2022, she is living life to the fullest at now 88 years old.

A Closer Look

Ruth Buzzi (pronounced "booz-ee") made her indelible comedic mark on TV's irreverent comedy sketch show, Laugh-In, which originally aired on NBC from 1968 to 1973).

Before and after that series Buzzi had made appearances on sitcoms such as That Girl, and the iconic Saturday morning live-action series, Far Out Space Nuts, in which she co-starred with Gomer Pyle USMC icon Jim Nabors.

However, it was on Laugh-In that Buzzi developed the character of Gladys Ormphby, a frumpy spinster who was known to assault others with her purse. Namely, Tyrone, as played by Arte Johnson.

Buzzi appeared on Dean Martin's TV celebrity roast shows in Las Vegas, where delivered her beloved lines and routine to the likes of Martin, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, and Lucille Ball, to name a few.

Before retiring in 2021, Buzzi earned five Emmy nominations.

Joyful Spirit

Buzzi's unfortunate health challenges in 2022 did not douse her sense of humor. As she noted on social media at the time, "Some people have strokes of luck; I had the other kind."

With a picture of her cat beside her, Buzzi thanked her followers for "all your love, messages, cards, letters and Sweet Tweets!"

"And although my final arrangements include cremation," she continued to muse, "I'm not quite ready to make an ash out of myself. xoxoxo"