'Sophia' of Golden Girls Estelle Getty Dead at 84

Estelle Getty, three days shy of 85 years, died at her home in Los Angeles early today. The actress starred in many films but is best known for her role as Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls sitcom that ran from 1985-1992, also starred Beatrice Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan.Getty suffered a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia, similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Born in NY in 1923, she played the wise-cracking Sicilian mother Sophia Petrillo and made her a household name.

Paying tribute to the star, her longtime caregiver Paul Chapdelaine said:“Sadly today July 22, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. Pacific time, we said our last goodbye to our little friend Estelle, who passed away and made her journey to the great beyond. She went gracefully, surrounded by family.”“She always stood up for the underdogs, fought for equality for all, and always pictured a world filled with love and laughter.”The Golden Globe and Emmy award winning actress is survived by two sons from her marriage to Arthur Gettleman, who passed away in 2004.