First noticed on Broadway playing the meddlesome Jewish mother in Torch Song Trilogy. Estelle had a few minor roles before hitting it big as the fiesty,out-spoken, 80-year-old Sofia Petrillo in the NBC hit series the Golden Girls which ran from 1985-1992. Estelle enjoyed playing fiesty Mother roles through the 1990s (Stop or My Mom will Shoot and Stuart Little)
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1999. Estelle retired from show buisness. She has refused interviews and appearances on “Golden Girls” reunions due to the debilitating effects of her illness.
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