Picture It: Estelle Getty passes away at age 84 - R.I.P.

Picture it: Some very sad news today folks. Estelle Getty, best known for her role as the adorably sarcastic Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls, has passed away at age 84, just a few days shy of her 85th birthday. The actress had been battling dementia for several years and has remained out of the public eye during her battle. Her son, Carl Gettleman, informed news outlets that his mother passed away at her Hollywood Boulevard home early this morning, surrounded by family and loved ones.

I could literally go on and on forever about how much I LOVE the Golden Girls and what a truly revolutionary program the show was. Getty was the last member of the foursome to be cast and it was her ability to convince those around her that she could play a woman 20 years older then her true age that secured her the part. Let’s just say that if Sophia was cast any differently, who knows what would have been. She was cast among some of the strongest names in television Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan. Getty struggled for years within the Hollywood system to achieve success in smaller roles until she secured the part of the feisty mother to “Old Maid” Dorothy Zbornak. She also starred in Mannequin, Stop or My Mom Will Shoot and Mask. She will be greatly missed by the public and her fellow Golden Girls.

Here is a clip of one of Sophia’s timeless “Picture It” stories…..






Source:
Entertainment Weekly
Associated Press