The cast of “Golden Girls” has lost their feisty Sophia. Actress Estelle Getty, who didn’t begin her television/movie career until she was 55, has died three days before her 85th birthday of natural causes. Estelle has been battling Lewy body dementia.
Estelle was actually a stage star for many years before taking on television and movies. She even served as a stand-up comic in the 40’s at the Catskills resorts for a short time. After working in Yiddish Theatre for years, she made her off-Broadway debut in 1971 in “The Divorce of Judy and Jane.” From 1981 to 1982, she starred as Mrs. Beckoff in “Torch Song Trilogy,” for which she received rave reviews. In 1982, she made her big screen debut in Toosie (billed only as “middle aged woman”) and played Cher’s mother in the movie Mask in 1984. In between those two roles, she accompanied the touring company of “Torch Song Trilogy.”
The petite actress was cast in “Golden Girls” in 1985. She played Sophia, Bea Arthur’s lively mother who often stole the scene from her co-stars, which also included Betty White and Rue McClanahan. She was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series seven times, winning in 1988. She was also nominated for three Golden Globes – twice for Actress in a Leading Role and once for Actress in a Supporting Role. She won in 1986.
After Bea Arthur left “Golden Girls” in 1992, the remaining characters tried to carry on with “The Golden Palace,” but the magic was gone. Estelle did continue to play Sophia for two years on the sitcom “Empty Nest” until it ended in 1995.
Of her passing, her co-stars only had great things to say. Rue McClanahan said, “Don’t feel sad about her passing. She will always be with us in her crowning achievement, Sophia.” Bea Arthur released a statement, which read, “Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her.” Betty White was quoted as saying “The only comfort at this moment is that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us.”
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