During his years of success as a musician, Barry Gettleman has had to cope with the passing of his mother, Estelle Getty. This article discusses how she died, her career, and the death of her children.
Estelle Getty’s career
During the course of their careers, actor/playwright Harvey Fierstein and Estelle Getty became close. They performed together on stage, but also made small appearances on television. In the late 70s, Getty befriended Fierstein. He wrote parts for her in the play “Torch Song Trilogy”, which eventually made its way to Broadway. She also received several nominations for her performance.
Getty’s interest in acting began at an early age. Her parents believed she should do something else. They also thought she was not pretty enough to be an actress. But they did not realize how much work she put into raising her two sons.
Getty’s first acting job was in small theaters throughout New York City. She continued to pursue her acting career after graduating from Seward Park High School. She also worked in secretarial positions for various companies. She also tried her hand at stand-up comedy. She also appeared on the “borscht belt” circuit in Catskills resorts.
Getty was born as Estelle Scher in Manhattan, New York, on July 25, 1923. She was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Poland. Her parents divorced when she was young. After moving to New York, Getty attended Seward Park High School. She also studied Yiddish theater. She had a talent for one-liners and was a frequent performer on community theaters.
Estelle Getty’s children
Known for her one-sentence comedy and maternal roles on stage and TV, Estelle Getty passed away in 2008. The actress died on July 25, 2008, three days before her 85th birthday, in her home surrounded by her family.
Her parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland. She studied Yiddish theater and took acting classes. When she graduated from Seward Park High School, she lived with her parents. She tried stand-up comedy and had some small roles in film and television.
Her parents thought her desire to be an actress was just a phase. Getty later took a job as a secretary. Her parents worked together on a glass installation project. She also worked as a waitress at Catskills borscht bell resorts.
In 1978, Getty was cast in the comedy film Team-Mates. She also had small parts in the film Tootsie. She went on to have several roles in television and film.
In her role as Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls, Getty became a popular character. She was also an HIV/AIDS activist. Her show was a hit and brought attention to many important societal issues.
Getty’s husband Arthur Gettleman died in 2004. Her son Barry Gettleman is also an actor. His father was a glass businessman. In 1990, Getty’s sons appeared in the documentary Intimate Portrait.
Estelle Getty’s death
‘Golden Girls’ star Estelle Getty passed away Tuesday, July 22 at her home in Los Angeles, three days before her 85th birthday. Getty died from advanced dementia, Lewy body dementia. She had been suffering from the condition for years, but died early on Tuesday morning.
Getty was born in New York City on July 25, 1923. Her parents were Polish immigrants, who worked in the glass industry. She was raised in Queens. She attended Seward Park High School and studied Yiddish theater. She also studied dancing and singing. After graduating, Getty became a secretary. However, she wanted to pursue an entertainment career.
She was cast in “The Golden Girls” in 1985. The NBC show ran from 1985 to 1992. Getty’s portrayal of Sophia Petrillo was a hit and she earned several Emmy nominations. She also played the mother of a drag queen, which was a role written for Harvey Firestein.
Estelle Getty also had a role in “The International Stud” and starred in “Copacabana” and “Stop or My Mom Will Shoot.” In 1986, she was nominated for the Leading Role in a Comedy Series. She has been nominated for seven Emmy awards.
Getty’s career spanned over 40 years. After starring in “Golden Girls”, she moved to Los Angeles, where she continued to work in off-Broadway and community theater. She was known for her one-liners and verbal zingers. She also launched an exercise video for older women.