• Ruth Ann Buzzi is an American singer, comedian and actress, most known for her role on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In".
• She graduated from the Performing Arts in Pasadena Playhouse and started her career by performing off-Broadway.
• She and her husband Kent Perkins collected automobiles and donated them to charity.
• Ruth Ann Buzzi has participated in a lot of charity work and her net worth is estimated to be $20 million.
• Her husband, Kenneth Perkins, was a Major General British Army officer and the Director of Military Assistance Overseas.



Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$10 million
Date Of BirthJuly 24, 1936
SpouseKent Perkins (m. 1978), Basil Keko (m. 1965–1975)
MarkHer character, park-bench spinster Gladys Ormphby
FactAppeared at the dedication of Jim Henson's star on Hollywood Boulevard after his death.


Ruth Ann Buzzi is an American singer, comedian and actress, who is mostly known for her acting career, specifically her role in the comedy show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In”. Buzzi has several hobbies, two of which are painting and automobile collecting. She has never sold her paintings for the public, instead, she donates original paintings to charity.

Early life, family, educational background

Ruth Ann Buzzi was born on 24 July 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island USA. She is the daughter of Rena Pauline and Angelo Peter Buzzi who is nationally acknowledged for being a stone sculptor.

Her father also owned Buzzi Memorials at Wequetequock Cove, subsequently managed by her older brother named Harold ‘til he retired in 2013. Buzzi grew up in the village of Wequetequock, Stonington, Connecticut where she attended Stonington High School, and was head cheerleader. Starting from the age of 17, she applied for the Performing Arts in Pasadena Playhouse, from where she graduated with honors. Her studies included acting, voice, dance and some courses in Cosmetology.

Career

Ruth Buzzi began her acting career before graduating college, travelling with singer Rudy Vallee in a live musical and comedy act when she was on her summer break from college; this opportunity was the key to graduating with an Actors’ Equity Association union card. After graduation, she landed a lead role in an off-Broadway musical revue which allowed her to perform around the East Coast. At that same time, other performers like Joan Rivers, Bernadette Peters and Barbra Streisand were also beginning their careers with her.

She appeared in several television commercials, some of which won nationally recognized awards such as the Clio Award for Best Spokesman for Clorox 2. In the Post Sugar Crisp commercials, she was nominated for her character as Granny Goodwitch. In addition, she voiced over 300 animation shows including Nose Marie on Pound Puppies, Mama Bear on the Berenstain Bears, and the voice of Granny Smurf.

She soon gained her first national recognition when she performed as “Shakundala the Silent” in “The Garry Moore Show” in 1964, as well as appearing in the original cast of “Sweet Charity”.

Her popularity grew tremendously after she appeared in “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In”, which was an American TV comedy sketch show from 1968 to 1973. Buzzi was the only featured player to appear in every single episode of the show, even the original pilot. The character she was most well-known for in the show was Dowdy Spinster Ormph, for which she was dressed in dull brown with a bun hairstyle, with her face covered in a hairnet knotted in the center of her forehead. This wasn’t the first time she had used this look, in fact she appeared in a school production called “Auntie Mame” in which she played Agnes Gooch.

Ruth Buzzi

With her vivid comedic dialogue, she was seen in a number of Dean Martin Roasts from the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas, where she blabbered about prominent roastees such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Muhammad Ali.

Aside from her acting career, Ruth was known to be a very wise investor. Both her and her husband Kent Perkins have invested in various assets that are currently worth a lot of money, located around Texas including a ranch, a farm, gas wells, oil wells, a shopping center, minerals and more. The vehicle collection they own was valued at a few million dollars, with the most luxurious car they own a Chevy which Steve McQueen was behind its wheel once, estimated to be worth $2 million dollars.

Personal Life

Buzzi is currently retired to a 629-acre ranch in Erath County in Texas, where she lived with her husband, Kent Perkins. However, she hasn’t completely forgotten her days in Southlake as she still visits from time to time, and writing on Twitter describing her days in Southlake saying, ‘Things I loved about Southlake: the best neighbors in the world. The greatest access to the best shopping in the state of Texas, maybe in the country. The biggest choice of restaurants within a 10-mile radius. Wonderful landscaping and beautiful garden work everywhere you look. Lots of groundwater, with ducks, turtles and blue herons. Almost zero crime.’

Ruth Ann Buzzi has participated in a lot of charity work, some of which are for children including The Thalians, St. Jude’s Hospital, the Special Olympics, Make a Wish Foundation, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Buzzi is a sponsor in a children’s art summer camp as well. Buzzi also helps in fundraising for the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, located in Medina, Texas.

Buzzi’s name has appeared in several songs, such as “Ruth Buzzi Better Watch Her Back” by The Bled, the duet “You’re the Reason Our Kids are Ugly” by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, and “I’m A Swing It” by House of Pain.

Buzzi and her husband share the hobby of collecting automobiles, particularly post-war English vehicles which include Jaguars, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces, appearing in television commercials, and in her blue Bentley convertible featured on the cover of Vogue with Jessica Simpson driving it. As mentioned, Buzzi has participated in a lot of charity work, so some of the cars were exhibited at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California by loans or/and donation.

Who is Buzzi’s Husband Ken Perkins?

Kenneth Perkins born in 1926, and was Major General British Army officer who was later seconded to command the Sultan of Oman’s armed forces. Ending his military vocation, he held the post of Director of Military Assistance Overseas for two years, from 1980 to 1982. He died in 2009.

Net Worth

According to sources, as of early 2021, the best estimate of Ruth Buzzi’s net worth is $20 million.

General Info

Full NameRuth Buzzi
Net Worth$10 million
Date Of BirthJuly 24, 1936
Height1.6 m
ProfessionComedian, Voice Actor
EducationOld Stonington High School
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseKent Perkins (m. 1978), Basil Keko (m. 1965–1975)
ParentsAngelo Peter Buzzi, Rena Pauline
SiblingsHarold Buzzi

Accomplishments

NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance - Variety Or Music Program, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s or Pre-School Children’s Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Special Classification Of Individual Achievements, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer In Ch...
MoviesFreaky Friday, The Villain, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, Troublemakers, The Being, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, The North Avenue Irregulars, Skatetown, U.S.A., Chu Chu and the Philly Flash, My Mom's a Werewolf, Surf II, Record City, Dixie Lanes, Rockin' with Judy Jetson, Once Upon a...
TV ShowsRowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Lost Saucer, The Dean Martin Show, The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, That Girl, You Can't Do That on Television, Baggy Pants and the Nitwits, Linus the Lionhearted, Paw Paws, Pound Puppies, The Jetsons, Sheep in the Big City, The Smurfs, Lotsa Luck, Gravedale High, Cro,...

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Her character, park-bench spinster Gladys Ormphby

Facts

#Fact
1Ruth Buzzi earned five Emmy nominations but never won the award. She did win a Golden Globe in 1973 for 'Laugh In (1967)'.
2Left the original Broadway production of "Sweet Charity" starring Gwen Verdon to co-star on Laugh-In (1967).
3Ruth Buzzi invented her famous character Gladys Ormphby when she was playing Agnes Gooch in a production of "Auntie Mame.".
4Ruth Buzzi made three guest appearances on the legendary "Carol Burnett Show (1967)" and co-starred with Carol Burnett in the film Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981).
5Friends with Anne Murray.
6Living in Ft. Worth, TX. On March 19, 2011, she made a guest appearance on the local PBS station KERA for a special about "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In". [March 2011]
7Appeared at the dedication of Jim Henson's star on Hollywood Boulevard after his death.
8Is a ventriloquist.
9Her family ran a funeral parlor when she was growing up, and when they weren't busy comforting mourners, they told each other jokes to cheer up.
10Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 81-82. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
11Was a regular on the The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998).
12She was one of only four people and the only woman to appear in every episode of Laugh-In (1967), including the special in 1967. The other three people were Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, and Gary Owens.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
One Month Out2017post-productionAgnes
Come on Over2006-2007TV SeriesRuthie
Fallen Angels2006Perril
Sesame Street1993-2006TV SeriesRuthie Suzie Kabloozie Ruthi ...
Adventures in Homeschooling2004ShortGertie Hemple
Passions2003TV SeriesNurse Kravitz
'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection2003VideoBench Cameo (Gump) (uncredited)
Sheep in the Big City2000-2001TV Series
7th Heaven1998-2001TV SeriesTelephone Operator
Nothing But the Truth2000Lois Troy
The Angry Beavers2000TV SeriesMrs. Beaver
100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd2000TV SeriesOld Lady
Rocket Power2000TV SeriesDog Owner
Diagnosis Murder1999TV SeriesLiz Summers
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland1999Ruthie
Boys Will Be Boys1999TV MovieMrs. Rudnick
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch1998TV SeriesDelilah
The Jamie Foxx Show1997TV SeriesJudge Lekeisha Roshanda Jackson
The Savage Dragon1995TV SeriesAdditional Voices (voice)
The Night Before Christmas1994Maw
Cro1993-1994TV SeriesNandy
The Pink Panther1993TV Series
Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby1993TV Movie voice
The Addams Family1992-1993TV SeriesAdditional Voices
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa1993TV Series
I Yabba-Dabba Do!1993TV MovieAdditional Voices (voice)
Major Dad1992TV SeriesMattie Fae Tillman
Lucky Luke1992TV SeriesMa Dalton
Lucky Ed's Tabloid News1992TV MovieSample Lady
Darkwing Duck1991TV SeriesAlien Cow / Dottie Debson
Out of This World1988-1991TV SeriesMrs. Miller / Mrs. Slater
The New Adam-121991TV SeriesMrs. Woolridge
They Came from Outer Space1991TV SeriesCarol
Diggin' Up Business1990Widow Knockerby
Wishful Thinking1990/IJody
The Munsters Today1988-1990TV SeriesDracula's Mom
Saved by the Bell1990TV SeriesRoberta Powers
The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda1990TV SeriesAdditional Voices
Gravedale High1990TV Series voice
Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers1990TV SeriesMa
The Smurfs1984-1989TV SeriesAdditional Voices
My Mom's a Werewolf1989Madame Gypsy
Up Your Alley1989Marilyn
Marvin: Baby of the Year1989TV ShortChrissy's Mother (voice)
Dixie Lanes1988Betty
Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw1988Nose Marie (voice)
Rockin' with Judy Jetson1988TV MovieFelonia Funk (voice)
Pound Puppies1986-1987TV SeriesNose Marie / Greyhound Puppy / Charlie's Mom / ...
The Love Boat1978-1987TV SeriesRuth Buzzi / Patti Harmon
Milroy: Santa's Misfit Mutt1987Video shortMrs. Claus (voice)
Kids Incorporated: Rock in the New Year1986TV MovieBlanche
Life with Lucy1986TV SeriesMrs. Wilcox
Bad Guys1986Petal McGurk
Check It Out1986TV SeriesTiffany Cobb, Mrs. Cobb's Daughter
Paw Paws1985-1986TV SeriesAunt Pruney
The Jetsons1985TV Series
The Berenstain Bears1985TV SeriesMama Bear
George Burns Comedy Week1985TV SeriesJuliette
Down to Earth1985TV SeriesMary Louise
The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries1984TV SeriesMrs. Muffinstuffer / Katerina Kobald / Evil Elf
Don't Ask Me, Ask God1984TV MovieJonesey's Wife
Masquerade1984TV Series
Surf II1984Chuck's Mom
Alvin & the Chipmunks1983TV Series
The Being1983Virginia Lane
Gun Shy1983TV SeriesMrs. Mound
Trapper John, M.D.1982TV SeriesLaura Morley
Chu Chu and the Philly Flash1981Consuelo
Aloha Paradise1981TV Series
Alice1981TV SeriesChloe
I Go Pogo1980Miz Beaver / Miss Mam'selle Hepzibah (voice)
CBS Library1980TV SeriesMrs. Page
Myra1980ShortMrs. Page (voice)
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show1979TV SeriesAdditional Voices (1979) (voice)
Whatever Turns You On1979TV SeriesMiss Take / Miss Fit / Mom / ...
Skatetown, U.S.A.1979Elvira
CHiPs1979TV SeriesRuth Buzzi
The Villain1979Damsel in Distress
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again1979Old Tough Kate, aka 'Granny'
You Can't Do That on Television1979TV SeriesMs. Fitt / Ms. Take
The North Avenue Irregulars1979Dr. Rheems
Legends of the Superheroes1979TV SeriesAunt Minerva
Record City1978Olga
Once Upon a Brothers Grimm1977TV MovieQueen Astrid
Baggy Pants & the Nitwits1977TV SeriesGladys
The Rescuers1977German Mouse (voice, unconfirmed, uncredited)
Freaky Friday1976Opposing Coach
Medical Center1973-1976TV SeriesRose Jenkins
Emergency!1976TV SeriesAmy Merkle
The Krofft Supershow1976TV SeriesFi (in 'The Lost Saucer')
The Lost Saucer1975TV SeriesFi
ABC Afterschool Specials1974TV SeriesCleaning Lady
Paradise1974TV Movie
Lotsa Luck1974TV SeriesWilma Wallachek
The Dean Martin Show1973TV SeriesGladys Ormphby
Laugh-In1968-1973TV SeriesRegular Performer / Gladys Ormphby
Love, American Style1970-1973TV SeriesHelen (segment "Love and the Missing Mister") / Beverly (segment "Love and the Haunted House")
Here's Lucy1972TV SeriesAnnie Whipple
The Singles1972TV Movie
Night Gallery1971TV SeriesHungry Witch (segment "Witches' Feast")
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1970TV SeriesSoprano
The AristoCats1970Frou-Frou (singing voice, uncredited)
In Name Only1969TV MovieRuth Clayton
That's Life1969TV Series
That Girl1967-1968TV SeriesPete Peterson
The Monkees1967TV SeriesMrs. Weatherspoon
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour1967TV Series
Days of Our Lives1965TV SeriesLeticia Bradford (1983)
Linus! The Lion Hearted1964-1965TV SeriesGranny Goodwitch

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Sonny and Cher Show1976TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Muppet Show1976TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Lost Saucer1975TV Series performer - 1 episode
Pound Puppies1986TV Series performer - 1 episode

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
According to Dom2009Documentary shortHerself
The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards2008TV SpecialHimself - Presenter: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series snd Laugh-In Performer
The 100 Greatest TV Quotes & Catchphrases2006TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
Goodnight, We Love You2004DocumentaryHerself
TV Land Convention Special2004TV Movie documentaryHerself
A Hot Dog Program1999TV Movie documentaryHerself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1998TV SeriesHerself
Elmopalooza!1998TV SpecialRuthie
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1997TV MovieHerself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1996TV MovieHerself
The Daily Show1996TV SeriesHerself
All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!1994TV SpecialRuthie (voice)
Sesame Street Stays Up Late!1993TV SpecialRuthie
Laugh-In Past Christmas Present1993TV SpecialHerself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1993TV MovieHerself
The 3rd Annual American Comedy Awards1989TV SpecialHerself
Hollywood on Horses1989Video documentaryHerself
Kraft Salutes Super Night at the Super Bowl1987TV MovieHerself
Dream Boys Revue1985Video documentaryHerself / Emcee
This Is Your Life1983TV SeriesHerself
Salute!1983TV SeriesHerself
Reading Rainbow1983TV SeriesHerself
Dom DeLuise and Friends1983TV SeriesHerself
The Shape of Things1982TV SeriesHerself
CHiPs1980TV SeriesHerself
The Alan Thicke Show1980TV SeriesHerself
Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary1980TV SpecialHerself
The 6th People's Choice Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Performer
The Alan Hamel Show1979TV SeriesHerself
The Mike Douglas Show1967-1979TV SeriesHerself - Comedienne / Herself
Bonkers!1979TV SeriesHerself
The Muppets Go Hollywood1979TV SpecialHerself (uncredited)
Donny and Marie1976-1979TV SeriesHerself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1978TV SeriesHerself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: George Burns1978TV SpecialHerself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jimmy Stewart1978TV SpecialGladys Ormphby
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jack Klugman1978TV SpecialHerself
Hee Haw1978TV SeriesHerself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Frank Sinatra1978TV SpecialGladys Ormphby (uncredited)
The Jim Nabors Show1978TV SeriesHerself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1975-1977TV SeriesHerself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Angie Dickinson1977TV SpecialGladys Ormphby
The Sonny and Cher Show1976-1977TV SeriesHerself / Various Characters
The David Steinberg Show1977TV SeriesHerself
The Muppet Show1976TV SeriesHerself - Special Guest Star
Dinah!1974-1976TV SeriesHerself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Dennis Weaver1976TV SpecialGladys Ormphby
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Muhammad Ali1976TV SpecialSparring Partner's Girlfriend
Tony Orlando and Dawn1975-1976TV SeriesHerself
Cher1976TV SeriesHerself
Celebrity Bowling1974-1976TV SeriesHerself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Evel Knievel1975TV SpecialHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1975TV SeriesHerself
The Bobby Vinton Show1975TV SeriesHerself
The Jim Stafford Show1975TV SeriesHerself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Lucille Ball1975TV SpecialGladys Ormphby
Sandy in Disneyland1974TV SpecialHerself
The Dean Martin Show1970-1974TV SeriesHerself
The Carol Burnett Show1972-1973TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Flip1971-1973TV SeriesHerself
The Helen Reddy Show1973TV SeriesHerself
Keep U.S. Beautiful1973TV SpecialHerself
Dinah's Place1971TV SeriesHerself
Pure Goldie1971TV MovieHerself
The Bob Hope Show1970TV SeriesHerself
Gene Kelly's Wonderful World of Girls1970TV MovieHerself
The John Davidson Show1970TV SeriesHerself
It's Tough to Be a Bird1969Documentary shortSoprano (voice)
The Leslie Uggams Show1969TV SeriesHerself
The Hollywood Palace1969TV SeriesHerself
The Hollywood Squares1968TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
Laugh-In1967-1968TV SeriesHerself
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour1967TV SeriesHerself
The Entertainers1964TV SeriesRegular
The Garry Moore Show1964TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Saved by the Bell: It's Alright - Back to the Bell2013Video shortRoberta Powers (uncredited)
Pioneers of Television2008TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
Derailroaded2005DocumentaryHerself
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts1998TV Movie documentaryGladys Ormphby - Roaster
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: 25th Anniversary Reunion1993TV MovieHerself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1982TV SeriesOpposing Coach Old Tough Kate Granny
Best of the Dean Martin Show1979TV MovieHerself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1973Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Supporting Actress - TelevisionLaugh-In (1967)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1994Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Performer in a Children's SeriesSesame Street (1969)
1987Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Performer in Children's ProgrammingThe Berenstain Bears (1985)
1974Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsBest Supporting Actress in Comedy-Variety, Variety or MusicThe Dean Martin Show (1965)
1972Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Achievement by a Performer in Music or VarietyLaugh-In (1967)
1969Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsSpecial Classification Achievements - Individuals (Variety Performances)Laugh-In (1967)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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