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Where is Estelle Getty today? Death, Net Worth, Husband, Children

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Known for movies

Sophia Petrillo

The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
as Sophia Petrillo

Tutti

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
as Tutti

Claire Timkin

Mannequin (1987)
as Claire Timkin

Grandma Estelle

Stuart Little (1999)
as Grandma Estelle

Short Info

DiedJuly 22, 2008, Los Angeles, California, United States
SpouseArthur Gettleman
FactHealth has deteriorated considerably - although there is a Golden Girls reunion Program being considered, she is too ill to take part in the show. [July 2003]


Estelle Getty was born Estelle Scher on July 25, 1923, in New York City. Her parents, Sarah (née Gordon) and Charles Scher, were Jewish immigrants from Poland. She had two sisters, Roslyn and Sylvia. Getty is a graduate of Seward Park High School.

Getty began her career as a stand-up comedian in the Catskills. She later appeared on television shows such as The Golden Girls, Maude, and The Love Boat. Getty won an Emmy Award for her role as Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls.

Getty was married to Arthur Gettleman from 1947 until his death in 2004. The couple had two sons, Carl and Andrew.

Getty had a net worth of $20 million at the time of her death. She died on July 22, 2008, at the age of 84.

General Info

Full NameEstelle Getty
DiedJuly 22, 2008, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height1.49 m
ProfessionActor, Comedian
EducationSeward Park Campus
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseArthur Gettleman
ChildrenBarry Gettleman, Carl Gettleman
ParentsCharles Scher, Sarah Scher
SiblingsDavid Scher, Rosilyn Scher

Accomplishments

AwardsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy, TV Land Quintessential Non-Traditional Family Award, Helen Hayes Awards for outstanding Supporting Performer, Visiting Product...
NominationsGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, TV Land Favorite "Big, Bad Momma" Award
MoviesStop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Mannequin, Mask, Tootsie, Stuart Little, Fortune Hunters, A Match Made in Heaven, Team Mates, Deadly Force, Barry Manilow: Copacabana, No Man's Land
TV ShowsLadies Man, Empty Nest, The Golden Palace, The Golden Girls, Fantasy Island, City, Wish Kids

Social profile links

IMDBhttp://imdb.com/name/nm0001268

Quotes

#Quote
1The only time you'll see me as a Democrat is when I play Sophia. In the real world I'm a Republican from head to toe.
2Playing Mother Beckoff for five years on stage was the role of a lifetime and I was really angry when they gave the part to Anne Bancroft [in the film]. She was just too loud and played too hard at being Jewish. EG -- referring to her career-making role in "Torch Song Trilogy".
3Being tiny has been difficult for me in a business that regarded physicality as the most important part of your life. And I always had to fight against the fact that I could do things even though I was small. And eventually I proved to them I could play mother to six footers".
4People assume that I'm wiser than I am because I'm somewhat successful. Age does not bring you wisdom, age brings you wrinkles. If you're dumb when you're young, you're going to be dumb when you're old.
5If there are two things you want to do in life and one of them is acting...do the other.
6I've played mothers to heroes and mothers to zeroes. I've played Irish mothers, Jewish mothers, Italian mothers, Southern mothers, New England mothers, mothers in plays by Neil Simon and Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. I've played mother to everyone but Attila the Hun.
7Too many of you, my friends, are dying. Now it's time for me to do my part and help you. - on launching her fundraising for AIDS research in honor of her gay friends and fans

Facts

#Fact
1Between The Golden Girls (1985), The Golden Palace (1992), and "Empty Nest" (1988)_, she played Sophia Petrillo for ten consecutive seasons.
2Health has deteriorated considerably - although there is a Golden Girls reunion Program being considered, she is too ill to take part in the show. [July 2003]
3Although her character of Sophia often made jokes about the Republican party on The Golden Girls (1985) Getty herself was a registered Republican, a fact she recognized in her personal biography.
4Passed away only three days before her 85th birthday. She was survived by her 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.
5In 1991, as later reported in Star magazine, Getty helped her 29-year-old nephew Steven Scher, who was suffering from the final stages of AIDS and near death. Because his parents lived in England and his friends were no longer able to care for him in Greensboro, North Carolina, Getty took it upon herself to have him flown to California and admitted to hospice care. He died in January 1992.
6Was nicknamed "Slats" by her Golden Girls costars because of her short height and light weight.
7Her nephew Stephen died from AIDS in January 1992 at the age of 29.
8Her parents, Sarah (Lacher) and Charles Scher, were Polish Jewish immigrants. She had two siblings, a brother, David, and a sister, Rosilyn.
9She had 2 children with her late husband Arthur Gettleman: sons 'Carl Gettleman' and Barry Gettleman.
10During a brief reunion in November 2004 with The Golden Girls (1985)'s Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Bea Arthur, it was reported on TV by the ladies that Estelle was suffering from severe dementia.
11Was a strong supporter of gay rights.
12Played the same character, Sophia Spirelli Petrillo-Weinstock, on five different TV series: The Golden Palace (1992), The Golden Girls (1985), Nurses (1991), Empty Nest (1988), and Blossom (1990).
13Retired in 2000 after revealing she had health issues. In the mid 1990s, she was misdiagnosed with Parkinson's disease. By the end of the 1990s, she was misdiagnosed again, this time with Alzheimer's disease. Later, she was correctly diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, which has similar symptoms to both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
14Getty's career actually began when she was much younger on the 'borscht belt' circuit and Yiddish stage, but she gave it up to raise a family. She returned to acting much later and became a hit on Broadway as Harvey Fierstein's meddling mom in "Torch Song Trilogy". It was the L.A. tour of this show that led to her being cast in The Golden Girls (1985) and at age 62 she became an "overnight" TV star.
15Getty played mother to Bea Arthur on The Golden Girls (1985), however, Bea is actually 15½ months older than Estelle. Estelle was born on July 25, 1923 and Bea was born on May 13, 1922.

Pictures

Estelle Getty
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Fisher Stevens, Jonathan Hadary, Paul Joynt, Court Miller, Peter Ratray
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White

All pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
It's Like, You Know...2001TV SeriesEstelle Getty
Ladies Man2000TV SeriesSophia Gates
The Million Dollar Kid2000Sister Rosanne
Stuart Little1999Grandma Estelle
The Sissy Duckling1999TV MovieMrs. Hennypecker (voice)
The Nanny1998TV SeriesEstelle Getty
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man1997TV SeriesAunt Jane
Mad About You1997TV SeriesAunt Ida / Paul's Aunt
A Match Made in Heaven1997TV MovieBetty Weston
Brotherly Love1996TV SeriesMyrna Burwell
Touched by an Angel1996TV SeriesDottie
Empty Nest1988-1995TV SeriesSophia Petrillo
Nurses1993TV SeriesSophia Petrillo
The Golden Palace1992-1993TV SeriesSophia Petrillo
The Golden Girls1985-1992TV SeriesSophia Petrillo
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot1992Tutti
Blossom1991TV SeriesSophia Petrillo
The Fanelli Boys1991TV SeriesDr. Newman
City1990TV SeriesHelen Rutledge
Roomies1987TV SeriesMama
Mannequin1987Claire Timkin
Copacabana1985TV MovieBella Stern
Newhart1985TV SeriesElsa Carruthers
Mask1985Evelyn
Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story1984TV Movie
Hotel1984TV SeriesRoberta Abrams
No Man's Land1984TV MovieEurol Muller
Cagney & Lacey1984TV SeriesMrs. Rosenmeyer
Fantasy Island1984TV SeriesMoney Lady
Deadly Force1983Gussie
Tootsie1982Middle-Aged Woman
Baker's Dozen1982TV SeriesMrs. Locasale
Nurse1981TV SeriesSadie Mandler
Team-Mates1978Teacher

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot1992performer: "Brahms' Lullaby" - uncredited
The Golden Girls1986-1991TV Series performer - 3 episodes

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Un dia és un dia1990TV SeriesHerself
The Earth Day Special1990TV SpecialSophia Petrillo
The Arsenio Hall Show1989TV SeriesHerself
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1989TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Live with Kelly and Michael1989TV SeriesHerself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1989TV SeriesHerself
The Pat Sajak Show1989TV SeriesHerself
Hour Magazine1987-1988TV SeriesHerself
The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mickey's 60th Birthday1988TV MovieHerself
The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Comic Relief '871987TV SpecialHerself
The 32th Annual Thalians Ball1987TV MovieHerself
The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Nominee
The Morning Program1987TV SeriesHerself
This Is Your Life1987TV SpecialHerself
The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Favourite Male Performer in New Television Show
The Late Show1986TV SeriesHerself
The New Hollywood Squares1986TV SeriesHerself
The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Fame, Fortune and Romance1986TV SeriesHerself
NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration1986TV Special documentaryHerself
Comic Relief1986/ITV SpecialHerself
The 12th Annual People's Choice Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Comedy Program
The 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
All-Star Party for 'Dutch' Reagan1985TV SpecialHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1985TV SeriesHerself - Actress
Intimate Portrait2000-2003TV Series documentaryHerself / Herself - Interviewee
TV Tales2002TV SeriesHerself
Hollywood Squares1998TV SeriesHerself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1996-1998TV SeriesHerself
Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game1997TV SeriesHerself
1996 MTV Movie Awards1996TV SpecialHerself
The Geraldo Rivera Show1996TV SeriesHerself
The John Larroquette Show1996TV SeriesHerself
The Crew1995TV SeriesHerself
Vicki!1992TV SeriesHerself
The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1992TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
The 6th Annual American Comedy Awards1992TV SpecialHerself
One on One with John Tesh1992TV SeriesHerself
The 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards1992TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The Making of 'Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot'1992Video shortHerself
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series & Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Best Actress / Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Favourite New Television Comedy Series
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1990TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series / Presenter: Outstanding Drama / Comedy Special & Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
The Marsha Warfield Show1990TV SeriesHerself
Night of 100 Stars III1990TV MovieHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
CBS This Morning2014TV SeriesHerself
Inside the Actors Studio2010TV SeriesHerself
15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards2009TV SpecialHerself - Memorial Tribute
Entertainment Tonight2008TV SeriesHerself
The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards2008TV SpecialHerself - In Memoriam
TV's All-Time Funniest: A Paley Center for Media Special2008TV SpecialHerself
Memòries de la tele2007TV SeriesHerself / Sophia Petrillo
Las 50 imágenes de nuestra vida2006TV MovieSophia Petrillo
La imagen de tu vida2006TV SeriesSophia Petrillo
TV's Greatest Sidekicks2004TV Special
Celebrities Uncensored2004TV SeriesHerself
Biography2003TV Series documentarySophia Petrillo on 'The Golden GirIs'
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments2003TV Movie documentarySophia Petrillo
Funny Women of Television1991TV Movie documentaryHerself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2003TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsQuintessential Non-Traditional FamilyThe Golden Girls (1985)
1993Razzie AwardRazzie AwardsWorst Supporting ActressStop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
1992American Comedy AwardAmerican Comedy Awards, USAFunniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1991American Comedy AwardAmerican Comedy Awards, USAFunniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1988Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1986Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalThe Golden Girls (1985)
1986Golden AppleGolden Apple AwardsFemale Star of the Year

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2004TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsFavorite "Big, Bad Momma"The Golden Girls (1985)
1992Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionThe Golden Girls (1985)
1992Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1991Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1990Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1989Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1987Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalThe Golden Girls (1985)
1987Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1986Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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