By Bianca Sierra
FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Ruth Ann Buzzi (/ˈbʌzi/ BUZZY; July 24, 1936 – May 1, 2025) was an American actress and comedienne. She appeared on stage, in films, and on television. She is best known for her performances on the comedy-variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In from 1968 to 1973, for which she won a Golden Globe Award and received five Emmy nominations.
Buzzi lived with her husband, actor Kent Perkins, on a 600-acre (240 ha) cattle and horse ranch near Stephenville, Texas. They were avid automobile collectors. Their collection focused on post-war English vehicles, including Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Jaguar, although it also includes several American convertibles and muscle cars. Some of her vehicles have appeared in television commercials and featured in parades, and her blue Bentley convertible was featured on the cover of Vogue with Jessica Simpson behind the wheel.[citation needed] Some of their cars have been donated or lent to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles including a red, fuel-injected 1957 Chevrolet convertible that was exhibited from 1993 to 2011 as part of the display honoring the cars of Steve McQueen. Buzzi’s 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud drophead coupe convertible was on display for the “Century of Elegance” exhibit.
Buzzi was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. In July 2022, it was reported that Buzzi had suffered a series of strokes and was improving.
Buzzi died at her home in her sleep in hospice care in Stephenville, Texas on May 1, 2025 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, at the age of 88.
