Prior to being cast on The Golden Girls, Estelle Getty had worked on stage but had very little on-screen experience. She struggled for a long time to make it as an actress but being cast as Sophia Petrillo was a career-changing event.
When the popular sitcom ended after seven years on NBC, Getty continued playing the role on the short-lived CBS spin-off, The Golden Palace, and then back on NBC for Empty Nest. The actress continued to act in a few projects but retired in 2000 because of illness. She died in July 2008 at the age of 84.
More about:
Empty Nest,
The Golden Girls,
The Golden Palace
