Estelle Getty
Biography
She was born in New York City as Estelle Scher and spent years performing in New York theater while supporting herself with secretarial work and attending auditions, and wider notice took a long time to arrive. In 1982, close to her sixtieth birthday, she was cast as Mrs. Beckoff in Torch Song Trilogy on Broadway, a part Harvey Fierstein wrote with her in mind; it brought widespread praise, a Drama Desk Award nomination, and four years of productions on and off Broadway. The Golden Girls followed in 1985, and her performance as Sophia Petrillo earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1988 and a Golden Globe. She went on playing Sophia on The Golden Palace and Empty Nest and appeared on Blossom and Nurses. Her films included Mask (1985), Mannequin (1987), Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), and Stuart Little (1999), her last. She retired from acting in 2001.
84years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died Hollywood
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as Estelle Scher Gettleman, Estelle Gettleman and Estelle Scher
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 14 years1985 to 1999
Every film, newest first
- 1999Stuart LittleIMDb rating 6.0
- 1992Stop! Or My Mom Will ShootIMDb rating 4.4
- 1987MannequinIMDb rating 6.0
- 1985MaskIMDb rating 7.2
Genres
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Big break
Getty was nearing 60 when she finally got her big break in 1982, playing Mrs. Beckoff in the Broadway staging of Torch Song Trilogy. Playwright Harvey Fierstein wrote that part with her in mind.
Behind the camera
Getty wrote her autobiography, If I Knew Then, What I Know Now... So What?, with Steve Delsohn during her time on The Golden Girls, and it was published in 1988.
Beyond film
In 1993, Getty put out a workout video aimed at older viewers. The exercise tape was made for senior citizens.
Estelle Getty movies on Netflix
Worked with
Estelle Getty shares two films with Dennis Burkley, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Dennis Burkley's page
Ving Rhames's page
Sylvester Stallone's page
Laura Dern's page
Steve Zahn's page
Harry Carey Jr.'s page
All films by Rob Minkoff
All films by Roger Spottiswoode
All films by Michael Gottlieb
Awards
Two awards and honors from 1988 to 2009, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1988 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | The Golden Girls | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 2009 | Disney Legends (posthumous) | Honored | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.