‘Laugh-in’ Fave Ruth Buzzi Dies at 88
Old-school comic gave us all something to smile about (Even on X!)
Ruth Buzzi took comedy seriously.
The veteran performer passed away this week at the age of 88. She had unofficially retired a few years ago, but she kept us smiling on social media.
I just heard they have a new dating system for people my age.
Carbon dating.
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi) March 24, 2025
Don’t you hate spelling errors! Mix up a couple of letters and your whole post is urined.
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi) December 13, 2024
Her X acount bio cut straight to the chase: “Love, Peace and Laughter.”
That approach seeems quaint in 2025, a throwback to an era where comedians made us laugh … together. Who knew how Buzzi voted in the 2024 election? Was she Team Trump or Team Harris?
The “Laugh-In” alum was Team Funny. Always.
Buzzi’s passing feels like a loss in more ways than one. Today’s comedy class is often out for partisan blood. Think Amber Ruffin, spinning Fake News as fast as she can, or any late-night host who insults half the country.
Jimmy Kimmel recently admitted his ABC showcase is now a place to “scream.” Buzzi wouldn’t have publicly attacked Kimmel for that description, but she likely disagreed.
She saw TV as a place to howl … with laughter.
Her credits remain impressive, from her time on the iconic “Laugh-In” program to scores of TV appearances and feature films alike (“Freaky Friday,” “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again”). Her “Laugh-In” days earned her two Emmy awards, and while the show’s counter-culture spirit had a political edge her work defied that brand.
An undated quote from the comic legend explains her approach to humor.
“I never took my work for granted, nor assumed I deserved more of the credit or spotlight or more pay than anyone else,” Buzzi told The Connecticut Post. “I was just thrilled to drive down the hill to NBC every day as an employed actor with a job to do.”
Some comedians still stick to the Buzzi brand of humor. Clean. Smart. Welcoming.
Think Nate Bargatze, one of comedy’s biggest names. His observational shtick defies cultural boundaries and brings audiences together.
That’s what Buzzi brought to us for decades. It’s why her passing matters.