SubscribeEstelle Getty was a true 'Golden Girl'
Estelle Getty, who died Tuesday three days before her 85th brithday, may have won her only Emmy Award in the supporting race but she was really one of the leading lights of "The Golden Girls." As the sassy Sophia dominating daughter Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Getty unleashed a string of zesty zingers over the seven-year run of the now-classic sitcom. And she was equally quick with a put-down for rambling Rose (Betty White) and bawdy Blanche (Rue McClanahan).
From her early days in the Yiddish theater and playing the Catskills to her triumph as Harvey Fierstein's mother in the 1983 Tony award-winning "Torch Song Trilogy," Estelle Getty remained relatively unknown outside of New York City for the first 40 years of her career. Then, while appearing in the L.A. run of "Torch Song" in 1985, she donned a wig and auditioned for the part of a woman two decades her senior. Standing a mere 4 feet, 11 inches and a year younger than her on-screen daughter, Estelle Getty ruled the roost.
Bea Arthur said in a statement, "Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her." Betty White commented, "The only comfort at this moment is that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us." And Rue McClanahan told the Associated Press, "Don't feel sad about her passing. She will always be with us in her crowning achievement, Sophia."
"The Golden Girls" was a smash hit from its debut in 1985 and won the Emmy for best comedy series that first season while Betty White added a lead win to the pair of supporting Emmys she had from the 1970s for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Like White, Getty was nominated for all seven seasons of the show, while Arthur and McClanahan only competed for the first four seasons. Getty did win her only Golden Globe midway through this first season. The Globes put Getty in the lead race up against all of her co-stars, rather than relegating her to the catch-all supporting category. She tied with "Moonlighting" star Cybill Shepherd.
However, by the time the Emmys rolled around that fall, Getty was running in the supporting race. For the first season, Getty lost the Emmy to another sassy mama, Rhea Perlman, who was at the end of a three-year run as Emmy champ for "Cheers." For the second season, which also took the comedy series trophy and won McClanahan her only Emmy, Getty was bested by sassy single gal Jackee Harry, who ruled on "227," another Saturday-night NBC comedy. Estelle
The third season proved to be the charm for both Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur, who added an Emmy bookend to the one she had won back in 1977 for "Maude." The sparring mother-daughter screen team was all smiles Emmy night. It was reported that any on-set tensions eased considerably when all of the golden girls had their own Golden Girl (Emmy's longtime nickname in the TV biz). With these wins, "The Golden Girls" joined "All in the Family" in the Emmy record book as the only sitcoms with an entirely award-winning cast. ("Will & Grace" would become the third such show when Debra Messing finally won her Emmy in 2003.)
For the fourth season, Getty lost out to Perlman, who was back in the winner's circle one last time before ceding the crown to fellow "Cheers" co-star Bebe Neuwirth, who prevailed the following two years. For the final season of the show, Getty lost to Laurie Metcalf, who was beginning her own three-year run as Emmy champ.
"The Golden Girls" came to an end in 1992, when Arthur wanted to leave the show on a high note, though it was the only season it was not nominated for best comedy series. An ill-fated spinoff, "The Golden Palace," lasted only one season and Getty made sporadic appearances throughout the rest of the 1990s. Suffering from ill health for most of the last decade, she was seldom seen in public but became known to a whole new generation with Lifetime's multiple reruns of "The Golden Girls."
(ATAS / AP)
Sophia was always my favorite even though the double takes from Dorothy were priceless. Together they were comedic genius!
Posted by: Christy | January 05, 2009 at 06:33 AM
We will always love Cherish and remember the way she was and the way she brighten everybody's day, when that sat down to enjoy a one and only, "The Golden Girls!"
We will never forget you!
Posted by: Cassie | August 29, 2008 at 10:11 PM
ALSO THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR FRIEND! Sophia will live on forever on our tv and Estelle always in our hearts!
Posted by: Marci | July 30, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Estelle was always the highlight of the show for my husband and I. We both connected because her character always reminded us each of a loved one. It is sad that she is gone but now she has a whole new audience! She will be missed and always loved!!!!
Posted by: Marci | July 30, 2008 at 12:48 AM
My family constantly laughs at the fact that I own all 7 seasons of Golden Girls on DVD and actually watch it every day. I'm watching as I type, I take them to work and watch, and they are definitely part of my everyday life. I'm 32 and have watched it since it aired in 85 and I never get tired of the re-runs. I love every last character, I can't even pick a favorite. A better cast couldn't have been dreamed up. I love you Estelle. Thank you for the laughs!!!
Posted by: Chantal | July 28, 2008 at 07:44 PM
To the world's best sarcastic, lucid mother - Thank you for being a friend, Estelle!
Rest In Peace my friend.
All my love, Hayley xx
Posted by: Hayley | July 26, 2008 at 09:16 AM
We will miss you terribly Estelle, but know that you are no longer suffering and we can be thankful for that. As Rue McClanahan reminded us this week, you will always be with us as Sophia. We love you!
Posted by: Paul | July 25, 2008 at 12:54 PM
A great actor and a great person. I will always love her for her role of sophia. It truly marks the end of an era. My only wish was that she would be more like her character Sophia - professing that she would be the last one left standing saying "don't worry about me, I can take care of myself!" God bless you Estelle Getty. You will truly be missed
Posted by: Vince | July 25, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I was watching a re-run of the "Golden Girls" as I do every single day faithfully, sometimes all 3 showings when I found out about Estelle's passing. I love that show and all the women on it, but Sopia was my favorite character and noone could have shinned in that role as Estelle did. Watching that show is still a favorite thing for my mom and I to do. My prayers go out to her family and the remaining Golden Girls. Hugs to you all
Posted by: Debra | July 25, 2008 at 03:03 AM
Estelle you have made me laugh through all my teens year and i will miss seeing you on
Posted by: Matt M | July 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Thank you for bringing us so much joy and laugther.
Thank you for being a friend.
You will always be loved, remembered and missed by all your fans.
Posted by: Spencer | July 24, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Thank you for being a friend...Estelle...Sophia
Posted by: alex | July 24, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Thanks, Estelle, for all the wonderful episodes...Sophia just couldn't have been portrayed by anyone else. I've always been jealous of Sophia's ability to come up with the perfect zinger, and then get away with using it! Maybe it's a perk of getting old that I can look forward to....
Posted by: Julie | July 24, 2008 at 08:41 AM
My sister used to yell at me everytime she heard the "Golden Girls" theme song. "Are you watching that dumb show again?" she would yell. "You are so stupid!" We were in the midst of the gen X glory days and she couldn't see past "The X-Files" and "Ally McBeal." But one day, I made her watch a rerun with me on Lifetime. Another fan was born. She was particularly fond of Sophia... My sister broke the news to me of Estelle Getty's passing. We both mourn someone we never actually knew, but will love forever. Picture it: California, 2008: 2 fans mourning a great loss, but remembering a great actress.
Posted by: Emma | July 24, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I used to watch reruns with my Nana years ago. The show was all about women that are still old enough to be my grandmothers (i'm 19), but the humor was something that everyone could love. I'll miss Estelle Getty, too.
Posted by: Ara | July 24, 2008 at 08:15 AM
My heart has broken because of Estelle's/Sophia's death. Her laughter, wit, and feisty personality will reign in our hearts and memories forever. Thanks for the memories, Ma!!!
Posted by: Jackie | July 24, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Estelle you will be missed... I have been watching the reruns for at least 15 years. I don't care how many times i have watched every time is like the first lol....see u later
Posted by: Tasha Rolax | July 23, 2008 at 09:37 PM
i was very sad to hear about Estelle's passing. all of those leading ladies have brought so much laughter into my living room. i pray that Estelle is now in peace.
Posted by: carmen | July 23, 2008 at 07:33 PM
i love gol;den girls i watch it everyday and everytime it airs on lifetime which is at 9 in the morning 4 in the afternoon and 1 am the following day and though i love the character blanch i can honestly say that me and my moms and ma bf (who pretends he isnt watching) loves sofia she is like a firecracker i was so hurt when i saw the news today i knew she was sick but .....the world truly lost a great actress...estelle getty was the best....the whole cast came together to make a beautiful comedy
Posted by: sasha | July 23, 2008 at 06:38 PM
This past year for my 30th birthday I requested the DVD's of Golden Girls. It got to the point where I was leaving my friends at 1 am so that I could rush home to watch the re-runs of the Golden Girls. "Thank you for being a friend"! The Golden Girls TV show brings back fond memories. As a child my grandmother (who is now 98) and I use to watch the Golden Girls on a rountine basis. The Golden Girls felt like family. There was always laughter and love. They all remind me of my grandmother. Someone who is stylish and willing to be over backwards for you. I will truly miss Sophia, Estelle. She made me smile!
Posted by: Laurie | July 23, 2008 at 06:27 PM
The world lost a truly talented and very funny person. There will be no more like you. You'll surely be missed by us all. You're at peace now and we will always love and remember the laughter and joy you brought into our lives. You were truly one of a kind sweet, sassy and genuinely golden.
Posted by: Sameka Clarke | July 23, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I feel lik I've lost a member of my own family! I love the Golden Girls to this day and I'm deeply saddened by her passing. Long live Sophia!
Posted by: Ebony | July 23, 2008 at 06:05 PM
I am very sad about Estelle's passing and will miss her very much. I was jsut a girl when the Golden Girls was on air but I watched it and loved the show and all the characters, especially Estelle. I still watch the show on Lifetime and will continue to watch it faithfully. My prayers are with her family.
Posted by: JULIA | July 23, 2008 at 06:01 PM
My heart is completly broken. Estelle Getty Has made me laugh for 25 years. I still watch re-runs with my family every night. You wil be truely missed thank you for being a friend.
Posted by: Tiffany Ojeifoh | July 23, 2008 at 05:56 PM
I still watch re-runs (4 episodes) every day. My heart and spirits kind of lift as soon as I hear the theme song. And of course I always have to sing along. Of course Sophia was my favorite character on the show. It saddens me that we have lost such a great person. My prayers are with Estelle's family and friends. Rest in peace Estelle!!!!
Posted by: Brooke Ponto | July 23, 2008 at 04:51 PM