Estelle Getty (July 25, 1923 – July 22, 2008) was an American
actress and comedienne, who appeared in
film,
television, and
theatre. She was best known for her role as
Sophia Petrillo on
The Golden Girls from 1985 to 1992, which won her an
Emmy and a
Golden Globe, on
The Golden Palace from 1992 to 1993, and on
Empty Nest from 1993 to 1995. In her later years, after retiring from acting, she battled
Lewy body dementia.