Goldie Hawn mourns six-decade friendship as Ruth Buzzi dies after years of illness

When Goldie Hawn posted a heartfelt message on Instagram on August 16, 2025, she didn’t just announce a death—she let the world into the quiet, aching space left by a friendship that outlasted careers, trends, and even time itself. "My Ruthie, you're gone, and it hurts so deeply," she wrote, referring to Ruth Buzzi, the beloved comedienne and longtime confidante whose laughter once filled NBC studios and whose quiet strength carried her through years of silence. Buzzi passed away after a prolonged illness, her health having declined since a series of strokes left her bedridden in 2022, as confirmed by her husband, Kent Perkins, on her official Facebook page. The loss marks the end of more than 60 years of connection between two icons who met not in a red-carpet moment, but on the chaotic, electric set of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, which aired from January 22, 1968, to May 14, 1973.

The Laughter That Started It All

Back in the late 1960s, Goldie Hawn was a rising star, fresh off her Oscar win for Cactus Flower, and Ruth Buzzi was already a veteran of stage and television, known for her signature snort-laugh and characters like the gossipy Gladys Ormphby. On Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, they weren’t just castmates—they were creative allies. Hawn appeared in 64 episodes between 1968 and 1970, often bouncing off Buzzi’s physical comedy with an ease that felt spontaneous, even when choreographed. What viewers didn’t see was the late-night phone calls, the shared secrets, the way they’d talk for hours after filming wrapped, sometimes just to laugh about nothing at all.

"We could talk endlessly, even after long days," Hawn wrote, a line that carries more weight than most obituaries ever do. It’s not about fame. It’s about presence. In an industry where relationships are often transactional, theirs was rooted in something rarer: mutual respect, humor, and the kind of loyalty that doesn’t fade when cameras stop rolling.

A Friendship That Outlasted the Spotlight

After Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In ended, both women continued working—Hawn in film and later as a producer, Buzzi in guest roles and voice work—but their bond never wavered. Even as Hawn raised her children, including Kate Hudson, and Buzzi retreated from the public eye, they stayed connected. Daily calls. Birthday cards. Occasional visits. "I’ll always treasure our daily calls," Hawn said, a phrase that sounds simple but is, in reality, a quiet miracle in a world of distracted connections.

When Kent Perkins shared in 2022 that Buzzi had been "bedridden and incapacitated" after multiple strokes, the entertainment world didn’t just mourn the loss of a performer—they mourned the loss of a spirit. Perkins wrote that Buzzi, despite her condition, "still with humor, believe it or not," remained aware of the love pouring in from fans and friends. "She is dealing with this situation bravely," he added, "and with the love of God in her heart and soul, she thanks you for being her friend."

That grace—humor in the face of suffering, gratitude without fanfare—was unmistakably Buzzi’s. And it’s what made Hawn’s tribute so raw, so personal. This wasn’t a public service announcement. It was a widow’s letter, written by a woman who had lost not just a colleague, but a sister of the soul.

Family, Grief, and the Silent Language of Emojis

Within minutes of Hawn’s post, her daughter Kate Hudson responded—not with words, but with symbols: a white dove and a red heart. In a culture where grief is often performed, this was pure. The dove, for peace. The heart, for love that never left. No caption needed. The message was clear: they knew. They felt it too.

It’s rare to see a celebrity grieve this openly. Hawn, who has spent decades shielding her private life, didn’t just acknowledge Buzzi’s death—she honored the rhythm of their relationship. The calls. The jokes. The silence that was never awkward. That’s what makes this so moving: it’s not about legacy. It’s about love that lasted longer than fame.

What This Means for a Culture of Transient Connections

In an age where friendships are curated for social media and relationships often dissolve after one job ends, Hawn’s tribute is a quiet rebellion. We’ve forgotten what it looks like to stay. To call. To show up, even when there’s nothing to gain. Buzzi spent her final years unable to speak publicly, yet she was never forgotten. And Hawn, at 79, didn’t wait for a milestone or anniversary to honor her. She spoke up the moment the silence became final.

This is the real legacy of Ruth Buzzi: not the TV sketches, not the Emmy nominations, but the fact that she was someone’s daily ritual. Someone’s safe harbor. Someone’s laughter in the dark.

What Comes Next?

There will be no public memorial service announced yet. Hawn has asked for privacy, and her family is honoring that. But in the weeks ahead, expect to see tributes from other veterans of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, including those who still speak of Buzzi’s impact on comedy’s golden era. The Television Academy may consider a posthumous honor. More importantly, fans who grew up watching her on TV will revisit her sketches—not just as nostalgia, but as a reminder that joy, when shared sincerely, never dies.

For now, the most fitting tribute may be the one Hawn already gave: remembering that some friendships aren’t measured in years, but in the quiet, unbroken rhythm of daily love.