Ruth Buzzi Net Worth

What was Ruth Buzzi's Net Worth?

Ruth Buzzi was an American actress and comedienne who had a net worth of $25 million at the time of her death. Ruth Buzzi was best known for her iconic work on the sketch comedy show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," where her character Gladys Ormphby—a cranky spinster who wielded a purse like a weapon—became a cultural touchstone. Buzzi was the only cast member to appear in every episode of the show's five-season run (1968 to 1973) and won a Golden Globe for her performance, along with five Emmy nominations. Her chemistry with Arte Johnson's lecherous Tyrone F. Horneigh became one of the most memorable comedic pairings of the era.

Outside of Laugh-In, Buzzi made her mark in a wide variety of roles across television, animation, and film. She lent her voice to numerous children's shows, including "Sesame Street", where she voiced Suzie Kabloozie and a kid-friendly version of Gladys. Other notable television projects include "Baggy Pants and the Nitwits," "The Berenstain Bears," "Pound Puppies," and "Cro." Buzzi also appeared in many films, including "Freaky Friday," "The Villain," "Up Your Alley," and "Troublemakers."

She frequently appeared on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, where she pummeled the likes of Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali. In recognition of her barrier-breaking work with Black entertainers, Buzzi was one of the first white women to receive an NAACP Image Award. She also earned a place in the Television and Radio Hall of Fame in 2006. And finally, as we detail in the next section, Ruth was very savvy with her finances.

Investments & Real Estate

Ruth and her husband, Kent Perkins, were wise and active investors. Over the years, they acquired a diverse portfolio of Texas-based assets, including a shopping center, oil and gas wells, mineral rights, a working farm, and a tequila brand called Man In Black Tequila. Their primary residence was a 629-acre ranch in Mingus, Texas, featuring a 9,000-square-foot mansion valued at approximately $8 million at the time of her death.

Car Collection

Ruth and Kent were avid car collectors, owning a valuable fleet of classic and luxury vehicles. Their collection included five Rolls-Royces, several Bentleys, and multiple antique Jaguars, including a 1969 XK-E. The centerpiece of their garage was a 1957 Chevy Bel Air once owned by Steve McQueen, estimated to be worth up to $1 million. Altogether, the collection was reportedly valued at around $2 million.

Early Life and Education

Ruth Buzzi was born on July 24, 1936, in Westerly, Rhode Island, to Angelo and Rena. Growing up, she was raised in Stonington, Connecticut, with her older brother Harold. There, Buzzi went to Stonington High School, where she was the head of the cheerleading squad. She went on to attend the Pasadena Playhouse for the Performing Arts in California.

Career Beginnings

When she was 19, Buzzi began her show business career traveling with singer Rudy Vallee in a live comedy and musical revue. After this, she moved to New York City, where she was immediately hired to star in an off-Broadway musical revue. Buzzi worked alongside a number of other fledgling young performers who would later become superstars, including Barbra Streisand and Carol Burnett. In other work, Buzzi appeared in several television commercials. She garnered further recognition for her appearance on "The Garry Moore Show" in 1964 and for her performance in the stage musical "Sweet Charity" in 1966.

Laugh-In Breakthrough

Thanks to her work on "The Steve Allen Comedy Hour" in 1967, Buzzi landed a spot in the cast of the NBC sketch comedy series "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," which premiered in early 1968. She went on to play a wide variety of characters on the show over the years, including Flicker Farkle, Doris Swizzler, and Busy-Buzzi. Her most famous character, however, was Gladys Ormphby, a spinster who wielded her purse like a weapon to ward away pesky characters, such as Arte Johnson's Tyrone F. Horneigh. Notably, Buzzi was the only featured player on "Laugh-In" to appear in every episode of the series through 1973. For her work, she earned a Golden Globe Award and five Emmy Award nominations.

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Animated Shows

After "Laugh-In," Buzzi appeared on numerous animated television series. Her first big one was "Baggy Pants and the Nitwits," on which she reprised her "Laugh-In" role of Gladys Ormphby alongside Arte Johnson's "Laugh-In" character Tyrone F. Horneigh. The show ran on NBC for one season in 1977. Later, in 1983, Buzzi lent her voice to "Alvin and the Chipmunks." She subsequently voiced Aunt Pruney Paw on "Paw Paws" and Mama Bear on "The Berenstain Bears." From 1986 to 1987, Buzzi voiced Nose Marie on the Hanna-Barbera series "Pound Puppies," based on the eponymous Tonka toy line. After that, she lent her voice to the animated television film "Rockin' with Judy Jetson."

In the early 90s, Buzzi voiced characters on such animated shows as "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers," "Gravedale High," "Darkwing Duck," "Lucky Luke," and "The Pink Panther." She also lent her voice to the television films "I Yabba-Dabba Do!" and "Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby." In 1993, Buzzi began voicing characters on "Sesame Street" and also began voicing Nandy on "Cro." Her other voice-acting credits include "Savage Dragon," "Rocket Power," "The Angry Beavers," and "Sheep in the Big City."

Other Television Appearances

Buzzi also guest-starred on a range of live-action series over the years. In the late 60s, she appeared in episodes of "The Monkees," "That Girl," "The Carol Burnett Show," and "That's Life." Early the next decade, she made numerous appearances on "The Dean Martin Show." Buzzi's other credits in the 70s included "Love, American Style," "Night Gallery," "Medical Center," and "The Lost Saucer," on which she starred opposite Jim Nabors as one half of a pair of hapless aliens. Subsequently, she appeared in episodes of "CHiPs," "Alice," "Trapper John, M.D.," "Gun Shy," and "Masquerade," among other titles. In the 90s, Buzzi's credits included "Saved by the Bell," "They Came from Outer Space," "Major Dad," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and "7^th Heaven." She later appeared in episodes of "Diagnosis: Murder," "Passions," and "Come on Over."

Film Career

Buzzi appeared in her first major live-action film in 1976, playing a coach in the fantasy comedy "Freaky Friday." Two years after that, she played Olga in "Record City." Buzzi concluded the 70s with roles in four films: the Disney productions "The North Avenue Irregulars" and "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again," the Western comedy "The Villain," and the musical comedy "Skatetown, U.S.A." In the early 80s, she starred in the comedy "Chu Chu and the Philly Flash" and the horror film "The Being." Buzzi's subsequent credits were "Surf II," "Bad Guys," "Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw," "Dixie Lanes," "Up Your Alley," and "My Mom's a Werewolf."

Buzzi made fewer films in the 90s; her credits were "Wishful Thinking," "Diggin' Up Business," "Troublemakers," and "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland." Her career slowed even further in the new millennium, with her few credits including "Nothing but the Truth," "Fallen Angels," "Glenn's Gotta Go!," and "One Month Out."

Personal Life

In 1978, Buzzi married actor and businessman Kent Perkins. The couple lived for many years on their 600-acre horse and cattle ranch in Texas. They shared a passion for classic automobiles and philanthropy.

Philanthropy

Significantly involved in charity, Buzzi supports such charitable organizations as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude's Hospital, and the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch. Ruth was honored as one of the "Great Women of Texas" by the Fort Worth Business Press. Ruth and Kent also founded their own charity called the Sunset Charity Foundation, a nonprofit to support families and single parents who have urgent needs.

Death

Ruth Buzzi died on May 1, 2025, at her ranch near Fort Worth, Texas. She was 88 years old. Her death was attributed to complications from Alzheimer's disease, which she had been diagnosed with a decade earlier. Buzzi had largely retired from public life in her later years, living quietly with her husband, Kent Perkins, on their ranch.

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