Estelle Getty
Acting • Born 1923-07-25 – Died 2008-07-22
Biography
Estelle Scher-Gettleman (July 25, 1923 – July 22, 2008), better known by her stage name Estelle Getty, was an American actress, who appeared in film, theatre and television. She is 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.
Filmography
49 credits
Mannequin
Movie • 1987
Claire Prince Timkin
The Sissy Duckling
Movie • 1999
Mrs. Hennypecker (voice)
Mask
Movie • 1985
Evelyn
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
Movie • 2021
Sophia Petrillo
Tootsie
Movie • 1982
Middle-Aged Woman
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Movie • 1992
Tutti Bomowski
Betty White: First Lady of Television
Movie • 2018
Self (archive Footage)
Team-Mates
Movie • 1978
Teacher
Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story
Movie • 1984
A Match Made in Heaven
Movie • 1997
Betty Weston
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
Movie • 2003
Sophia Petrillo (archive footage)
Stuart Little
Movie • 1999
Grandma Estelle
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie • 1990
Self
No Man's Land
Movie • 1984
Eurol Muller
The Golden Girls: Ageless
Movie • 2021
Self (archive footage)
Deadly Force
Movie • 1983
Gussie
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Movie • 2003
Sophia Petrillo (archive footage)
Mickey's 60th Birthday
Movie • 1988
Self
Copacabana
Movie • 1985
Bella Stern
Young at Heart: Body Conditioning with Estelle
Movie • 1993
Self
The Million Dollar Kid
Movie • 2000
Sister Rosanne
The Earth Day Special
Movie • 1990
Sophia Petrillo
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship
Movie • 2025
Self / Sophia Petrillo (archive footage)
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
Movie • 1985
Duckman
TV • 1994
Aunt Jane (voice)
Mad About You
TV • 1992
Aunt Ida
The Golden Girls
TV • 1985
Sophia Petrillo
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Dottie
The Nanny
TV • 1993
Estelle Getty
Empty Nest
TV • 1988
Hotel
TV • 1982
The Golden Palace
TV • 1992
Sophia Petrillo
Cagney & Lacey
TV • 1982
Mrs. Rosenmeyer
Blossom
TV • 1990
Sophia Petrillo
Brotherly Love
TV • 1995
Myrna Burwell
Celebrities Uncensored
TV • 2003
Self
City
TV • 1990
Helen Rutledge
Wish Kids
TV • 2002
Roomies
TV • 1987
Bakers' Dozen
TV • 1982
Hollywood Squares
TV • 1998
Self - Panelist
Ladies Man
TV • 1999
Sophia Gates
Golden Girls 3033
TV • 2022
Sophia Petrillo (voice) (archive sound)
Intimate Portrait
TV • 1993
Self
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
TV • 1996
Self
The John Larroquette Show
TV • 1993
Estelle Getty
Newhart
TV • 1982
Elsa Carruthers
Fantasy Island
TV • 1978
Money Lady
Empty Nest
TV • 1988
Sophia Petrillo