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R.I.P.
Estelle Getty: Thank You For Being Alive

Posted Jul 22nd 2008 1:29PM by TMZ Staff

"Golden Girl" Estelle Getty has gone to the big lanai in the sky and died at the age of 84, just three days shy of her 85th birthday.

Estelle passed away at 5:35 AM this morning at her L.A. home surrounded by her family and caregivers. Getty had been suffering for years with Lewy Body Dementia.

Although one year younger than Bea Arthur, Estelle is best known for playing her wise-cracking Sicilian mother Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls." Co-star Betty White is also one year older than Estelle.

Getty is survived by her two adult sons.

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Tags: estelle getty, EstelleGetty

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1. wonderful woman, god bless

Posted at 12:58PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by nvrbeen1stbutnowiam

2. I am devastated.. I loved her on The Golden Girls!! RIP..

Posted at 12:57PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by jayhow

3. rip

what a funny woman!

Posted at 12:58PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by chris

4.
" if i only knew then,
what i know now "

Posted at 12:59PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by paul dennis reid

5. RIP Estelle..................Thank you for all the laughs!

Posted at 12:59PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Dallas

6. god bless her soul. a classy lady and wonderful actress.

Posted at 1:01PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by me

7. What a great lady and a great actress. RIP!

Posted at 1:00PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by ais

8. our prayers are with the family, GREAT LADY, FUNNY, GOD BLESS

Posted at 1:02PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by pattie

9. One of the greats passes on...see you in heaven Ms. Getty.

Posted at 1:02PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by tattooed white trash...

10. Loved her on the "Golden Girls". RIP, Estelle. You brought alot of laughter to your fans!

Posted at 1:03PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by vj-dj

11. I still watch Golden Girls reruns. Estelle "Sophia" was my favorite. May she rest in peace.

Posted at 1:22PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Liz

12. R.I.P.

Posted at 1:06PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Debbie

13. What is Lewy Body dementia? My mom in law had...dementia; period. Anyway, with Estelle's passing, a tremendous talent is gone but at least she's free of that awful disease that old age can bring.

Posted at 2:04PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by sparkys nemesis

14. good-bye Sophia - you made me laugh....

Posted at 1:07PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by RJinchitown

15. I'm so sad to hear about her passing! I loved her on Golden Girls. I grew up watching it. It was the kind of show that all ages could enjoy.

We'll definately miss her in this house.

She'll always be golden to us.

Posted at 1:07PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Mayu

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