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Estelle Getty Dies: Estelle Getty of “Golden Girls” Died of Dementia Age 84

Posted on July 22, 2008

Estelle Getty, best known for role as Sicilian mother, Sophia Petrillo on “The Golden Girls” died Tuesday morning, July 22.

Estelle Getty died just three days short of her 85th birthday. Estelle had been battling advanced dementia for years. Estelle Getty was said to have passed away in her home, surrounded by her friends and family.

Getty was born Estelle Scher in New York City on July 25, 1923. Estelle Getty started out her career in the Yiddish theater, but she focused her attention soon to settling down and having a family with Arthur Gettleman, whom she married in 1946. They remained together until Arthur’s death in 2004.

Year later, Estelle Getty made her first screen appearance in 1978’s Team-Mates, followed by small parts in Tootsie and Mask.

Estelle’s role on Broadway in 1982 as an interfering mother in the play Torch Song Trilogy suddenly catapulted her into stardom. And in turn, landed her the role of Sophia on The Golden Girls in 1985.

Estelle Getty’s character, Sophia, was an important part of the series’ character and earned Getty seven consecutive Supporting Actress Emmy nominations between 1986 and 1992, including a win in 1988. Getty’s performance also earned three Golden Globe nominations, including a win for Leading Role in a Comedy series in 1986. She also reprised the role in several spin-off shows, including The Golden Palace and Empty Nest.

Getty is survived by sons Carl and Barry Gettleman, a brother, David Scher, and a sister, Rosilyn Howard.

Estelle Getty was a great and talented actress, and it’s sad to hear the news of her death.