Actress and comedian Ruth Buzzi died on Thursday, May 1, at the age of 88. According to her family’s Facebook post, she died “peacefully in her sleep at home in Texas.”
The post goes on to say that Buzzi was in hospice care “for several years with Alzheimer’s disease.” The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Buzzi’s name to Alzheimer’s research.
Buzzi was born on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island. She began working as an actress before she even graduated from college. Over the years, she appeared in various stage productions in New York before landing a job on the variety show The Garry Moore Show in 1964. She went on to appear on The Monkees, That Girl and Night Gallery before she landed her big break on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, for which she earned two of her three Primetime Emmy nominations. The third nomination was for The Dean Martin Show.
In 1993, she debuted as shopkeeper Ruthie on Sesame Street and would go on to appear in 86 episodes of the show as Ruthie or Suzie Kabloozie (voice). Her final appearance on Sesame Street was in 2008. Buzzi earned two Daytime Emmy nominations as well; the first for The Berenstain Bears and the second for Sesame Street.
On her Facebook page, the day she died, her husband, Kent Perkins, posted a message to her fans:
“This is Ruth Buzzi‘s husband writing on her page. She asked me to thank all of you for being so good to her for so many years. She wants you to know she probably had more fun doing those shows than you had watching them. Because of health issues, she’s must withdraw from writing, but she will still be reading and enjoying your posts.
“If you’ve met Ruthie and had a picture taken with her, please post it below. If you have a great memory from her career that you enjoyed — a special comedy sketch, or a moment that made you laugh — share that with us. Ruthie loves you.”
In 2022, Buzzi suffered a series of strokes that left her incapacitated. Her husband wrote on Facebook that she was still able to speak and understand things and she knew her fans were sending her good thoughts.
“She wants you to know she is not in pain and is aware you are sending your best wishes her way as she battles the results of devastating strokes that have left her bedridden and incapacitated. She can still speak and understand, she still recognizes all her friends and loved ones. I am reading to her your wonderful comments, and she smiles,” wrote Perkins.
He added, “I might add that I am living with an attitude of gratitude for 43 years of marriage to my best friend, the greatest person I ever met, the one and only Ruth Buzzi. Her love for others knows no bounds, and she has spent a lifetime making people smile.
“She is dealing with this situation bravely, and still with humor, believe it or not… and with the love of God in her heart and soul, she thanks you for being her friend. And for the love you’ve shown her continuously for the past six decades or more… Whatever happens, please know you have always been loved right back in return.”
