In memory of Ruth Ann Buzzi Perkins of Erath County.

89(R) HR 1251 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 1251

R E S O L U T I O N

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