TITLE: In memory of Ruth Ann Buzzi Perkins of Erath County.

SUMMARY: In memory of Ruth Ann Buzzi Perkins of Erath County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The passing of renowned comedic actor Ruth Ann Buzzi Perkins of Erath County on May 1, 2025, at the age of 88, has deeply saddened her family, friends, and countless fans; and WHEREAS, Professionally known as Ruth Buzzi, she was born to Angelo and Rena Buzzi in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 24, 1936; she grew up in Connecticut and graduated with honors from the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts; after working with the likes of Rudy Vallee and Dom DeLuise, she was hired as a regular on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour;she then became a key cast member on the groundbreaking sketch comedy Laugh-In;her most iconic character, the perpetually indignant, handbag-wielding Gladys Ormphby, even outlived the hit show, making appearances at celebrity roasts and in a "Weird Al" Yankovic music video; and WHEREAS, Ms. Buzzi gained a younger audience with a number of notable roles, including shopkeeper Ruthie on Sesame Street and voice work for such cartoons as The Berenstain Bears and The Smurfs;she performed in more than 20 movies and guest starred on many sitcoms as well; Johnny Carson hosted her eight times on The Tonight Show;and WHEREAS, On December 10, 1978, she married Kent Perkins, and they eventually settled on a 600-acre ranch near Stephenville; the couple collected classic automobiles, and Ms. Buzzi enjoyed watching movies, taking ATV rides, making dinner for her family, socializing with friends, and painting; she never sold her works, instead donating them to charity; among the numerous organizations she supported were the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Special Olympics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, CASA, and a children's summer art camp through the Dallas Museum of Biblical Art; an animal lover, she adored her dog, horses, and cats and raised funds for the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch and similar groups; she was a Baptist and attended White's Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake with her husband; and WHEREAS, Ruth Buzzi brought joy and laughter to innumerable people over the course of her remarkable career, and although she is greatly missed, she leaves a legacy that will continue to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ruth Ann Buzzi Perkins and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her husband, Kent Perkins; to her brother, Edward Buzzi; to her nieces, Suzanne Buzzi and Cheryl Buzzi Stakley; to her great-niece, Madison Stakley; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ruth Buzzi. Slawson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1251 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025. Chief Clerk of the House