Few things were certain when I was growing up, but The Golden Girls was one of them. More Saturday nights than I care to admit were spent in the company of four plucky gals: Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia, a diminutive Sicilian firebrand who was infamous for her Tourette-like zingers and no BS ‘tude. Golden Girls went on to win four Golden Globes and numerous Emmys, including, for Getty, in 1988, one for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.
Getty, who suffered from advanced dementia and died on July 22 at the age of 84, wasn’t always a sitcom queen. She got her start in Yiddish theater, but didn’t break out until 1981, when she played Harvey Fierstein’s mother in the Broadway play Torch Song Trilogy. She also had small roles in Tootsie (1982) and Mask (1985). In 1985 she started on The Golden Girls, which was an instant hit and quickly became a staple of NBC’s Saturday night lineup. Getty later reprised the role of Sophia on The Golden Girls spinoff The Golden Palace (1992), and played the part of Grandma Estelle Little in the film Stuart Little (1999).
Visit our Golden Girls 20th anniversary tribute, as well as our New TV Classics gallery, check out some classic Getty YouTube clips after the jump, and feel free to share your memories — and favorite Golden Girl moments — below.
i’m so depressed and honored to be the first commenter. i’m planning a best of Sophia marathon… “Fasten your seatbelt slut puppy, this ain’t gonna be no cake walk!”
Sophia: …and then it happened. I hit the wall.
Dorothy: Aw, Ma, you ran out of steam.
Sophia: No, I actually hit a wall. You know that new Wendy’s they’re building?
WAIT! best Sophia quote EVER:
“Silly Rabbi, tricks are for kids.”
What a loss. She always made me smile.
Blanche: “My sister Virginia wants my kidney.”
Rose: “What are you gonna do?”
Blanche: “I don’t know.”
Sophia: “I’m glad your not my sister”
Words cannot describe how upset I am by this news. She was truly such an integral part of my adolescence and I am so saddened by this loss!! I may have to have a mini Golden Girls marathon when I get home to remember her and her acerbic wit!! Anyway, know that we all love and miss you Estelle!! I will end with the following famous Sophia quote, one of many.
Dorothy: It was a blessing in disguise
Sophia: Why do blessings always wear disguises? If I were a blessing, I’d run around naked!!
Love ya, Sophia!!
What’s the correct temperature for a Pig..I know a ham comes out nice @ 350
Rose: “The men of Blanche’s Budoir.”
Blanche: It’s calendar! Each month represents a man who has bought some special joy to my life.
Dorothy: (flipping through the calendar)”WHOAAAAA!!!!”
Blanche: “September?”
Sophia: “I’m surprised you were able to walk in October.”
I am very sad. Thank you for your wonderful work Estelle. You will be missed! xoxo.
this is true.
you will be missed.
swish swish
Sophia to Dorothy: “Jealousy is an ugly thing, and so are you in anything back-less.”
This is sad news, and she will certainly be missed. I remember watching “The Golden Girls” as a kid when my grandmothers would babysit me. I loved it then, even though most of the jokes went clear over my head, and still love it now. RIP, Estelle! And, of course, one of my favorite (of many) Sophia quotes:
Blanche (on her brother and his partner staying in her room): “What will the neighbors think when they see two men in my bed?”
Sophia (after a beat): “They’ll think it’s Tuesday!”
Dorothy: So it IS true! You want my mother for … SEX GAMES?! This is just so … so … unbelievable!
Sophia: It’s not THAT unbelievable!
This is very upsetting news. I real loss to us all.
I will always have the fond memories of her on golden girls and Stop or my mamma will shoot.
She is the grandmother I wish I had.
although i am saddened by her passing, estelle getty gave us all a tremendous gift with her portrayal of sophia. she and the other golden girls have carried me through some pretty tough times and for that, i am eternally grateful.
Rose: Dorothy, you’re the smart one, and Blanche, you’re the sexy one, and Sophia, you’re the old one, and I’m the nice one. Everybody always likes me.
Sophia: The old one isn’t so crazy about you.