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

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.

Tags: estelle getty, EstelleGetty

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61. She has left behind a lasting legacy of laughter. Her character is still as funny today as it was 20 years ago. Thank you Estelle for making us smile. I can see her up in Heaven clutching her purse :)

Posted at 1:57PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by PictureThis

62. "Picture it: Miami. 1987. A house--the only one in the neighborhood without a pool, but I digress. Four women, friends. They laugh, they cry, they eat. They love, they hate, they eat. Every time you turn around, they eat. The point I’m trying to make here is, what’s going on here is living. Just because you have some rough times doesn’t mean you throw in the towel. You go on living..........and eating."

We'll miss you, Estelle. And I'll never get to hear you sing "No Time at All" from Pippin. Pity, you'd have been great once we got the money together to do the show. We love you.

Posted at 4:50PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by GMoneyRI

63. RIP You will be missed, you made me laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with your family...

Posted at 2:07PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Michelle

64. Oh my..I was watching Golden Girls this morning and didn't know until now. You will be very missed. RIP

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

65. Aww bless her. Amazing actress, amazing work. We're lucky to have re-runs of Golden Girls, one of the best shows ever. Estelle did great work, not just on GG but also on satge and film. Hope she didn't have too much pain.

Posted at 2:04PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by T in SD

66. Rest in peace Estelle-we'll miss you! My mom was disabled and sometimes depressed but whenever we watched Golden Girls we would laugh hysterically. That show was great and always lifted her spirits.I still watch the reruns because now that I'm older I can appreciate it even more. Linda

Posted at 2:05PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Linda

67. This is such a tragedy. May Estelle rest in peace. She was always so funny on Golden Girls. Now, when I watch my DVD's of the girls I will look back and always remember her wonderful portrayal of Sophia. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family as well. Love and miss you always Estelle (my favorite Golden Girl).

Posted at 2:09PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Sarah Mohrman

68. She added hours of laughter to many lives. She will be applauded in heaven. God Bless.

Posted at 2:06PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by ST-BvilleNY.

69. RIP, Estelle - you were wonderful as Sophia. One of the best lines you delivered was 'the older I get, the shorter I get'.... I understand that better than ever now that I too am a 'Golden Girl':

My thoughts and prayers go to her family... what a classy lady and wonderful actress!

...I think one of the measures of success is when you don't make the pages of TMZ and other blogs so that you are the object of sarcasm, scorn and derision!!

Thanks for the laughs and smiles Estelle.... God bless!

Posted at 2:06PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by The world is a little sadder now

70. She brought and still does bring so many laughs to me and my family through the Golden Girls, my thoughts and prayers are with her family during this time.

Posted at 2:08PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Ash

71. Aw, what a shame. I don't think there's anybody out there that can say a bad word about this woman. She was a class act.

Posted at 2:07PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by FlamingoNut

72. Thank you for making us laugh for years and continually making us laugh. You will be greatly missed!!

Posted at 2:30PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Steven G

73. RIP Estelle. You certainly entertained us and continue to every day as the show is in reruns. I never fail to have a few chuckles, thanks to you.

Posted at 2:12PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by merr

74. "14. I have been waiting for this to happen. She was the funniest actress on The Golden Girls. So sad....my prayers go out to her family and friends." Posted at 1:08PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Beth

Jesus, Beth...what kind of ghoul are you? You've been WAITING for this woman to die??? Maybe you should get a hobby.

Posted at 2:13PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by lensmanct

75. Estelle, you will always be young and vibrant in my mind! Golden Girls Forever!!!!

Posted at 2:18PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Lisa

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