Estelle Getty, a shining star of the entertainment
world, is best remembered for her spirited portrayal of Sophia Petrillo on the classic
television series "The Golden Girls." Esteemed for her quick wit and stellar comedic
timing, Getty was a beloved figure, radiating warmth both on and off the screen. On July 22, 2008, she sadly passed away, marking
a solemn day in television history. In this video, we’ll examine the somber
final days of Getty's life. We promise not to spare any detail as we shed
light on the lesser-known aspects of her journey, while also revealing the tragic circumstances
surrounding her death. Together, we will celebrate the remarkable
life of this extraordinary woman and illuminate the human side of the icon known to many as
the sassiest Golden Girl. Facts Verse Presents: Golden Girl Estelle
Getty Inside Her Tragic Final Days Getty’s Early Life and Career Before Estelle Getty became a household name
for her role as the fiery, quick-witted Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls," she lived
an interesting life and had an engaging career that many fans might not be aware of. Born Estelle Scher in 1923 in New York City,
her journey into the world of acting started modestly. As a young woman, she honed her acting skills
in Yiddish theater, displaying a natural talent that would eventually propel her toward greater
heights. Despite her evident talent, her big break
was years in the making. Estelle spent several decades working in theater,
taking on roles in various plays while simultaneously holding down other jobs to make ends meet. It was during this time that she began to
perfect her craft, developing her timing, delivery, and sharp sense of humor that would
later make her a fan favorite. Her launchpad role came in 1982 when she was
cast in Harvey Fierstein's Broadway production, "The Torch Song Trilogy." Her character, Mrs. Beckhoff, was specifically
designed for her by Fierstein himself. This performance, which centered on a drag
queen living in New York, attracted the attention of Hollywood producers. Getty, who was almost 60 at the time, received
widespread acclaim for her performance, keeping audiences engaged both on and off Broadway
for four years. This stage success paved the way for her next
big move — television. Getty Struggled In Her Later Years Estelle Getty's passing in 2008 left an unfillable
void in the world of Hollywood. Although one might assume that her Golden
years were quite rewarding, that unfortunately isn't exactly how things panned out. Following her death, we learned that, as heartbreaking
as it is, Getty's final years were far from glamourous. Getty's later life was marred by years of
battling a debilitating disease in silence, which ultimately claimed her life. We'll touch on that in a bit more detail in
just a moment, but first, we want to take a few minutes to reflect on her most noteworthy
and iconic role. As we commemorate her birthday on July 25th,
let us recall the incomparable entertainer whose brilliance in humor still echoes through
the reruns of "The Golden Girls." The 1980s proved to be a rewarding era for
Getty, who as we've already established, had devoted numerous decades to stage appearances,
eagerly awaiting her moment in the limelight. Aged almost 60, Getty embraced the lead role
of Mrs. Beckhoff both on and off Broadway for four years. Her riveting performance in this play caught
the eye of a production team on the hunt for a senior actor to embody the head of a unique
group of retirees in Florida. The resulting show, "The Golden Girls," knitted
together the talents of Getty, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Betty White, each of whom
would be forever cherished for their comedic genius and unforgettable performances that
spanned generations. With the aid of heavily applied makeup and
wigs, Getty—then 62—masterfully portrayed the sharp-witted Sophia Petrillo, an 80-year-old
mother to Arthur’s character, Dorothy, and roommate to Blanche (McClanahan) and Rose
(White). Getty, a mother of two herself, was married
to Arthur Gettleman from 1947 until his death in 2004, and she was just a year older than
Bea Arthur, her TV daughter. Her knack for landing perfect zingers and
her tough yet lovable persona earned Getty widespread admiration, fetching her a Daytime
Emmy Award and a Golden Globe. As she dazzled in the comedy series, Getty
also nabbed leading parts in blockbusters like "Mannequin" (1987), and "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot" with Sylvester Stallone
in 1992. In 1992, as Bea Arthur yearned to explore
fresh avenues, "The Golden Girls" concluded its seven-year journey. Getty later reprised her role in "Golden Palace,"
a show that aired in 1992, and in "Empty Nest" (1988 to 1995), where her former co-stars,
White, McClanahan, and Arthur, also revived their roles from "The Golden Girls." During her stint on the hit comedy, her co-stars
from "The Golden Girls" noted Getty's struggles with line memorization, and McClanahan, who
passed away in 2010, revealed her battles with panic attacks on set in an interview
that she gave shortly before her death. Getty was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia,
a progressive brain disorder often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, which imposed a hefty toll
on her stellar performances. Her health deteriorated rapidly in 2000, and
she was unable to join a "Golden Girls" reunion show in 2003. After years of slipping deeper and deeper
into a confusing and unfamiliar world where her mind was her own worse enemy, Getty passed
away in her sleep in 2008, aged 84. One year later, Bea Arthur passed away at
86, followed by Rue McClanahan at 76 in 2010, and the cherished Betty White in 2021, aged
99. "I stayed in touch with Estelle as long as
she could remember me," McClanahan recounted in her aforementioned interview. "She was a delight to be around, always sharing
hilarious stories about New York." She Was Very Frugal A testament to Getty's humble nature, despite
her stardom, was her steadfast preference for a simple lifestyle over a grandiose one. Her son, Carl Gettleman, who shared touching
anecdotes at a private memorial service held for her following her passing, revealed that
Getty was a woman who always appreciated a good bargain, even amidst the glamour of her
successful stint on "The Golden Girls." One memorable instance he recounted was when
Getty's Toyota Tercel was mistakenly towed from her assigned parking spot at the "The
Golden Girls" production lot. The security team had assumed that someone
else had parked in the actress's spot, underestimating that the Emmy-winning actress might choose
such an unassuming vehicle. Gettleman attributed his mother's frugality
to the lasting impact of the Great Depression on her psyche. Even as she carved a niche for herself in
Hollywood, playing the acerbic Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls," and earning critical
acclaim for her stage performances, such as the fussy Jewish mother in Fierstein's "Torch
Song Trilogy," Getty maintained her simplistic lifestyle. Her son further emphasized that while many
celebrity biographies are rife with tales of extravagant lifestyles, intense love affairs,
struggles with addiction, or disputes with studio heads and co-stars, what set Getty
apart was the ordinary life she led. According to Gettleman, this grounded lifestyle
made his mother a figure with whom people could easily identify. Evidence of this relatability can be seen
in the family photos that Getty cherished. Other attendees at the private memorial service,
held inside the chapel at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, included Getty's
other son Barry, her longtime assistant Richard, and "Golden Girls" executive producer Tony
Thomas. "We loved her dearly," Thomas expressed in
his tribute to the actress, "She made the so-so jokes good, the good jokes great, and
the great jokes out of this world." Notably absent from the intimate service were
her "Golden Girls" co-stars Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Betty White. Her Emmy’s Gone Missing In a bewildering twist to Getty's story, the
Emmy statuette she won in 1988 for "The Golden Girls" mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind
more confusion than the chaotic contents of Sophia Petrillo's renowned handbag. Getty's demise in 2008 left her sons, Carl
and Barry Gettleman, grappling with the challenging task of dividing their mother's possessions. Among these items were her signature wicker
purse from the series, her Golden Globe, an Emmy nomination certificate, and the coveted
Emmy statuette. As the siblings found themselves unable to
reach a consensus, they decided to auction the items through Bonhams & Butterfields. Unfortunately, the late actress's living trust
didn't offer any guidance on the distribution of her property. Consequently, her Emmy statuette was sold
for $7,320 on June 14, 2009, to an anonymous buyer, less than a year after Getty's passing. But the story doesn't end there! The Emmy re-emerged two months later on eBay
with a starting bid suggested at a staggering $15,000. The TV Academy, which had not interjected
prior to the auction, attempted to dissuade the unknown seller by referencing a 30-year-old
stipulation that declared Emmys to be the property of the TV Academy. This mandate was ambiguously indicated by
a sticker under each statuette, stating, "This Emmy is the property of … the Academy." It wasn't until 1995 that the TV Academy began
having recipients sign a contract agreeing not to sell their award. Getty, however, never signed such an agreement,
leaving the fate of her Emmy in limbo. The entire saga left the TV Academy concerned. "This is not something the academy wants to
see happen," said the organization's representative, John Leverence, at the time. What the Academy, and indeed the public, would
like to know, is the current location of the missing Emmy. Following its eBay appearance, the award disappeared
without a trace, and attempts to get information from eBay representatives were unsuccessful. Getty's former co-star, the late-great Betty
White, expressed her dismay, "Those things are special, not something you throw on eBay. She was so excited to win, and we were so
thrilled." Reflecting on the situation, Carl Gettleman
shared his regret saying, "The Emmy had far more sentimental value than (money value)
for me... It should have been made accessible to the
public. She was so appreciative of her fans, she would
have preferred it somewhere where (they) could see it." As we recount Estelle Getty's remarkable journey,
we can't help but marvel at the legacy she left behind. Her vibrant life story, imbued with stellar
performances, personal struggles, and touching anecdotes, continues to resonate with us. But there are many facets of her life we might
not have touched upon. So, we invite you to join the conversation. Did you know Estelle Getty beyond her portrayal
of Sophia Petrillo in "The Golden Girls"? And did you know that since her passing, her
Emmy award has mysteriously vanished? Let us know in the comments section down below. And as always, thanks for watching!
