Estelle Will Be Missed; Sophia Lives On
The spunkiest of the Golden Girls, Estelle Getty, passed away yesterday at the age of 84, after having suffered from advanced dementia. Estelle lived a jam-packed life. She was born in New York City in 1923, married New York businessman Arthur Gettleman and had two sons, Carl and Barry, and hit the big time when she landed the part of Sophia in 1985. After a few gigs on Broadway, Estelle landed the role of the sarcastic octogenarian who moved into the Miami home she shared with roommates Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose.
All the Golden Girls chimed in to react to Estelle’s passing. Bea Arthur told Us magazine, “Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her.” Golden Girl Betty White said, “The only comfort at this moment is that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us.” Rue McLanahan’s Blanche often sparred with Estelle’s outspoken Sophia. Although Sophia threw zingers such as responding to Blanche saying, “My life is an open book,” with, “Your life is an open blouse!” still Rue had only wonderful things to say about her co-star. She told The Associated Press, “Don’t feel sad about her passing. She will always be with us in her crowning achievement, Sophia.”
Maybe somewhere the three of them are sitting around wiping back tears, telling funny Estelle stories, and saying, “Thank You For Being A Friend.” Take a minute to enjoy the Golden Girls theme song and opening credits below. Sophia lives on…
August 1st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
what a wonderful news.
justchillz.net/sophia
July 24th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Estelle may be gone, but Sophia will be in our hearts forever. A wonderful comedic spitfire, that woman was. You loved all of the characters, but something about Sophia made her your all-time favorite. Admit it. She obviously must have been the sweetest woman outside of the show, and I wish her family well. Rest in peace, Estelle. You will be missed.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I am not a fan of this people, but I will admit that I have seen the profile on the RichMingle.com website, and was surprised.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I was so sad to hear about her, I loved her on golden girls..she made the show funny. No offense to the other women, they’re funny too, but estelle getty was hiliarious on that show..WE LOVE YOU ESTELLE & YOU WILL BE MISSED! GOD BLESS YOU! RIP!
July 24th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I absolutely loved the Golden Girls, especiall “Sophia”. You had to be from another planet if you did not enjoy Sophia’s witty comebacks. I wish her family the best and hopefully they know she was loved and enjoyed by so many of us in TV Land. She left us with enough funny memories and jokes to last us for years and years to come. “Thank you for being a friend”!!!!!!!