Ruth Buzzi, who shot to nationwide fame as one of the stars of the 1960s TV comedy variety series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in, died May 1 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease at her home near Mingus, Texas. She was 88.

Her death was announced on her official Facebook page by family. Buzzi had suffered a disabling stroke in 2022. She had been in hospice care for several years.

Born July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, Buzzi began performing in musical and comedy revues during her college years. She moved to New York City after graduating and quickly found work in Off Broadway musical revues and TV commercials.

After appearing on early ’60s TV shows such as The Garry Moore Show and CBS’ The Entertainers, Buzzi was cast in her one and only Broadway show in 1966 as part of the original cast, along with Gwen Verdon, of the now-classic musical Sweet Charity.

In 1967, Buzzi...