Estelle Getty
Acting
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.
Known for
2025The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship
Self / Sophia Petrillo (archive footage)
2023Commitment to Life
Self (archive footage)
2021Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
Sophia Petrillo
2021The Golden Girls: Ageless
Self (archive footage)
2018Betty White: First Lady of Television
Self (archive Footage)
2003The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
Sophia Petrillo (archive footage)
2003The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Sophia Petrillo (archive footage)
2000The Million Dollar Kid
Sister Rosanne
1999The Sissy Duckling
Mrs. Hennypecker (voice)
1999Stuart Little
Grandma Estelle
1997A Match Made in Heaven
Betty Weston
1993Young at Heart: Body Conditioning with Estelle
Self
1992Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Tutti Bomowski
1990Night of 100 Stars III
Self
1990The Earth Day Special
Sophia Petrillo
1988Mickey's 60th Birthday
Self
1987Mannequin
Claire Prince Timkin
1985Mask
Evelyn
1985Copacabana
Bella Stern
1985The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1984Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story
1984No Man's Land
Eurol Muller
1983Deadly Force
Gussie
1982Tootsie
Middle-Aged Woman