Mousekingdom Blog

Beloved actress Estelle Getty, who created the timeless role of Sophia Petrillo on the Disney / ABC hit series ”Golden Girls”, died on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, only three days before she could have celebrated her 85th birthday.

In her role of Sophia on “Golden Girls” she became a close family member to millions around the world, the Sicilian mother of us all - we loved with her, prayed with her and shared the most intimate moments of Sophia with her - especially when she swung her oversized purse, she tokk along for every ride. Like none other could have done Estelle Getty gave Sophia a heart, a soul and made us laugh every day again - whether we saw an episode the first time or on a re-run.

Estelle Getty had her breakthrough in Hollywood as Sophia after years of minor parts. The success on “Golden Girls” finally opened the doors for her to the big screen, where she stared in several movies including “Stop! or My Mom Will Shoot”, next to Sylvester Stallone. Mostly forgotten is that she had success on the theater stage as well, and nowhere else than on the Broadway, where she created the role of Harvey Fierstein’s mother in “Torch Song Trilogy”.

Her death on Tuesday morning ended her suffering from Lewy Body Dementia which she had ailed under for several years already. The team behind the Mousekingdom Blog wants to express it’s heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

And to you, Estelle - Sophia: you will never be forgotten and always stay our big Sicilian mother … wait for us with your big purse…