Estelle Getty was a talented actress who became a household name in the 80s and 90s television. She was best known for her role as Sophia Petrillo, the sharp-tongued and wise-cracking Sicilian mother, on the popular sitcom "The Golden Girls". Born Estelle Scher on July 25, 1923, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, she began her acting career in the Yiddish theater and later transitioned to English-language productions.
Getty's big break came when she was cast in the Broadway production of "Torch Song Trilogy" in the late 1970s. Her performance earned her a Helen Hayes Award and led to her being cast in the role of Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls". The show was a huge success, and Getty's performance as Sophia earned her seven consecutive Emmy Award nominations and one win.
In addition to her work on "The Golden Girls", Getty appeared in several films, including "Mask" and "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot". She also wrote an autobiography, "If I Knew Then, What I Know Now... So What?", in 1988.
Getty was an outspoken advocate for gay rights and was involved in several charitable organizations, including Alternative Living for the Aging. She was also a spokesperson for the organization and worked to raise awareness about the importance of cooperative housing for senior citizens.
In her later years, Getty's health began to decline, and she was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disease. She passed away on July 22, 2008, at the age of 84, surrounded by her family.
