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

"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

Reader Comments

(Page 12 of 13) Previous 15 Comments | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

166. I Loved Estelle as Sofia from The Golden Girls she always made me laugh.ILoved her.When I saw her I whiched that she was my grandmother.

R.I.P. Estelle I'll miss you

Posted at 10:52PM on Jul 23rd 2008 by OldStyleGal

167. ESTELLE GETTY LIVED A GOLDEN AGE OF 84..
THANKYOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!!!!!!!!!
R.I.P.

Posted at 10:50PM on Jul 23rd 2008 by frankfes

168. I'm very, very sad but I hope to meet You again in Heaven. I love You.

Posted at 3:48PM on Jul 24th 2008 by herho

169. I loved the Golden Girls growing up . Ms Getty was my fav on the show . RIP .. you are loved and will be missed

Posted at 12:26PM on Jul 24th 2008 by shaw

170. I never thought it would happen on TMZ. Not one single nasty post. That should tell the world how much this lady was loved.

Estelle was a gem and I feel so lucky that I was able to laugh with her during her movies and TV show.

Posted at 6:26PM on Jul 24th 2008 by Brattus Rattus

171. I'm twenty years old and have been watching the rerun s of this show for yyears. I watch this show on lifetime every morning and every night and If there family of estelle is reading this. I'm sorry and my condolenses go out to you. This show is a part of my everyday life and has cheered me up on my bad days and hearing this made me sad. What a wonderful actress! I'm honored to watch her every day on the golden girls!

Picture it..

Posted at 5:20PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Emilyy

172. I tried to think of a quote that would be my favorite. But not possible as she was soo great there could never be just one. May she rest in peace and her family take comfort in knowing that the whole world loved her. That says a lot.

We will miss you Estelle. Thank you for being alive and allowing us to share your world.

Posted at 10:31AM on Jul 25th 2008 by Well

173. im sooo sad, she looks just like my grandmother who is suffering the same illness. God bless you ms.getty, sophia petrillo will always live in my heart!

Posted at 6:21PM on Jul 25th 2008 by jenn

174. Thank you for the laughter...........

Posted at 6:58PM on Jul 25th 2008 by sandy

175. It is difficult to see our "friends" grow older and pass on, when their great talent remains frozen in time and still entertains us daily in syndication...but I'm sure Estelle would make some sort of wisecrack at the idea of us all wallowing in sadness at her death, when she lived her life to make us laugh. Her remarkable gift of humor and one in a million ability to insinuate her character into our hearts and homes will live on forever. The Golden Girls transend time, and those four women made history on television, in great part due to Sophia's howlermonkey, "in your face" attitude. Estelle, thanks for being a friend!

Posted at 8:24PM on Jul 25th 2008 by Cyndi

176. now sophia can be with her sal, her son phil, george and charlie. ms. getty, God Bless You and your family during this difficult time. to a wonderful comedic actress who made us all laugh until sometimes we cried.

Posted at 9:27PM on Jul 25th 2008 by lukebandit

177. To one of the greatest actresses of our time, may you live forever in our hearts and always making us laugh on the screen. R.I.P Estelle Getty

Posted at 8:16AM on Jul 26th 2008 by Dainelle

178. I read that none of the 3 golden girls went to her funeral. That is so strange does anyonw know why? Thats really sad actually

Posted at 12:54AM on Jul 26th 2008 by Star

179. She was such a good actress and very funny. Great show, I love all the reruns. This show has the best humor in it. imo Estelle Getty played the Scilian Mother role perfectly. She will be missed.

Posted at 3:33AM on Jul 26th 2008 by Madeline

180. I was really hurt about this. She will be truly missed. RIP

Posted at 3:44PM on Jul 26th 2008 by Jessica

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