Actress. Best known for her role as sassy Italian octogenarian Sophia Petrillo, on the successful television situation comedy series "The Golden Girls," she was born in New York City, New York, to Polish immigrants. In 1947, she married Arthur Gettleman. The couple had two sons together. Estelle Gettleman began her acting career under the stage name Estelle Getty in 1978, playing a teacher in the film "Team Mates." She had small walk-on roles in the Films "Tootsie" in 1982 and "Mask" in 1985. It was in 1985 that Estelle joined Bea Arthur, Betty White, and Rue McClanahan on "The Golden Girls." Playing the mother of Bea Arthur, a woman who, in actuality, was older than she. This role made her a household name and brought her much acclaim and an Emmy Award in 1988. During work on this hit television series, Estelle worked in films including "Mannequin" in 1987. In 1992, Estelle got her first starring role in the Sylvester Stallone comedy "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot," which unfortunately garnered her a Razzie Award for worst actress. Also in 1992, Bea Arthur wanted out of "The Golden Girls." The show ended, but Estelle, Betty White, and Rue McClanahan reprised their roles on the short-lived spin off "Golden Palace." The cancellation of "Golden Palace" was not the end of the character of Sophia Petrillo; she once again slipped on a gray wig and glasses and joined the cast of "Empty Nest" for its final season. In the years following, Estelle made two made-for-television movies, "A Match Made in Heaven" in 1997 and "The Sissy Duckling" in 1999. In 1999, she returned to film, playing Grandma Estelle in "Stuart Little." Her final role came in the 2000 movie "The Million Dollar Kid." Estelle Getty retired from show business in 2000 after revealing she had Lewy Body dementia.
Actress. Best known for her role as sassy Italian octogenarian Sophia Petrillo, on the successful television situation comedy series "The Golden Girls," she was born in New York City, New York, to Polish immigrants. In 1947, she married Arthur Gettleman. The couple had two sons together. Estelle Gettleman began her acting career under the stage name Estelle Getty in 1978, playing a teacher in the film "Team Mates." She had small walk-on roles in the Films "Tootsie" in 1982 and "Mask" in 1985. It was in 1985 that Estelle joined Bea Arthur, Betty White, and Rue McClanahan on "The Golden Girls." Playing the mother of Bea Arthur, a woman who, in actuality, was older than she. This role made her a household name and brought her much acclaim and an Emmy Award in 1988. During work on this hit television series, Estelle worked in films including "Mannequin" in 1987. In 1992, Estelle got her first starring role in the Sylvester Stallone comedy "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot," which unfortunately garnered her a Razzie Award for worst actress. Also in 1992, Bea Arthur wanted out of "The Golden Girls." The show ended, but Estelle, Betty White, and Rue McClanahan reprised their roles on the short-lived spin off "Golden Palace." The cancellation of "Golden Palace" was not the end of the character of Sophia Petrillo; she once again slipped on a gray wig and glasses and joined the cast of "Empty Nest" for its final season. In the years following, Estelle made two made-for-television movies, "A Match Made in Heaven" in 1997 and "The Sissy Duckling" in 1999. In 1999, she returned to film, playing Grandma Estelle in "Stuart Little." Her final role came in the 2000 movie "The Million Dollar Kid." Estelle Getty retired from show business in 2000 after revealing she had Lewy Body dementia.
Bio by: The Perplexed Historian
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