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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76. so sad...she was hysterical as Sophia. comedic timing that is hard to duplicate.

RIP.

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

77. What a funny and great actress ! May she rest in peace and live on in Golden Girls reruns forever! I love ya Ma!

Posted at 2:17PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by geraldine

78. The exchanges between Estelle Getty & Bea Arthur were always my favorite on the show! I watched the episodes millions of times! Thanks for making me laugh, Estelle, over & over & over.....

Posted at 2:22PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Marie

79. Picture it, Sicily 2008....I left all my friends but I will always be remembered. Thank you for being my friends!!!!

Posted at 2:20PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Millergirl

80. I LOVE The Golden GIrls! She was awesome as Sophia. Thank you for the many years of laughter! RIP.

Posted at 2:26PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by lyntam

81. she was so cute and funny on Golden Girls. she will be missed.

Posted at 10:48AM on Jul 24th 2008 by heather

82. i loved the golden girls. my prayers are with her family.

Posted at 4:08PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by hora

83. Loved this dear lady.Golden Girls with the four special women is a Classic. Just watching the show,makes a person feel
good. I will miss her. Rest In Peace,Estelle.

Posted at 2:28PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Pink Dahlia

84. It definitely says a lot about her character and integrity that all of the comments have been so positive, even here where they can get so nasty!! RIP, you will be missed!

Posted at 2:33PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Carolina Girl

85. I grew up watching Golden Girls, and now my two children love watching the reruns. Sophia is our favorite GG character. Estelle gave us a lot of laughs over the years. May she now rest in peace.

Posted at 2:43PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by jalynn

86. Picture it, Sicily....... That is all. :(

Posted at 3:27PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Sabina

87. God bless her! She was a marvelous actress struck down by a most terrible affliction and now she's where her mind is once again her own.
Mozeltov.....Rest In Peace.

Posted at 2:36PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by Vicki in Canada

88. What a fantastic actress & a classy lady. They just don't make them like that anymore! Her comedic timing was amazing. What a gift you were Estelle! God Bless You for the joy you brought to so many people. RIP.

Posted at 2:42PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by So Sad:(

89. "Picture it..."
RIP Sophia... you made the show!!

Posted at 2:45PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by natboo401

90. THANK YOU FOR BEING EVERYONES FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!! MAY YOU REST IN PEACE,ESTELL,THE WORLD WILL KEEP ON WATCHING YOU AND THE GIRLS IN RERUNS,I HOPE YOU KIDS ,KNOW HOW LUCKY THEY WERE AND THANK THEM FOR LETTING THE WORLD BORROW YOU ALL THESE YEARS,KEEP THE GOOD CLEAN COMEDY GOING IN HEAVEN..................

Posted at 2:46PM on Jul 22nd 2008 by sharon

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