Bea Arthur: Golden

Bea Arthur was one of our all-time favorite TV stars. We – along with much of America – loved the plain-spoken women she played.

Funny Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was an original. And for generations of funny women, she was an inspiration.

Howdy, Minnie Pearl!

On Minnie Pearl's 100th birthday, we remember her down-home humor.

What's Happening, Shirley Hemphill!!

We love sitcom stars of days gone by... like sassy waitress Shirley Hemphill...

Jean Stapleton: No Dingbat

We loved Jean Stapleton as Edith Bunker, but don't pigeonhole her as the Dingbat.

Estelle Getty, Golden Girl

Today we're remembering a career crowned by Estelle Getty's 10-year turn as wise-cracking Sophia Petrillo.

Carole Lombard and the Screwball Comedy

In the 1930s, movies were a favorite escape from life's trials and tribulations. Most popular were screwball comedies, and one of the queens of the genre was Carole Lombard...

Edie Adams: No Dumb Blonde

The way Edie Adams looked –– golden-haired, pretty and vivacious –– might lead some to assume that she was a stereotypical dumb blonde. In reality Adams was blonde, but she was no ditz...

Joan Rivers' Simple Funeral Plan

Joan Rivers' ideas for her own funeral are just as outrageous as everything else she ever wrote.

Remembering Jan Hooks

On "Saturday Night Live," Jan Hooks made a name for herself portraying real-life characters from Bette Davis to Tammy Faye Bakker.

Cancer Isn't Funny: SNL Stars Gilda Radner, Danitra Vance, and Jan Hooks

The short roster of deceased "Saturday Night Live" cast members is tragic. and — both just 33 when they died of overdoses — left some of the most memorable and hilarious "SNL" sketches. was known as the nicest guy on "SNL" before he was murdered by his wife at 49. Charles Rocket and Michael O'Donoghue may not be household names, but both made major contributions in the early days of the show and both died too young, in their mid-50s.

Broadway's Tribute to Elaine Stritch

The lights of Broadway went dark in July to honor the memory of Elaine Stritch, one of the greatest players who ever graced the Great White Way.

Imogene Coca: Rubber-faced Comedy Trailblazer

Before comedy pioneers Joan Rivers, Carol Burnette, and Lily Tomlin helped disprove the notion that women couldn't be funny, another woman was cracking up audiences decades earlier: Imogene Coca.

Tonita Castro (1953–2016), sitcom co-star on Dads

Tonita Castro, a Mexican-born actress known best for her co-star roles on the TV sitcoms “Dads” and “Go On,” died May 8 of stomach cancer, according to multiple news sources. She was 63.

Caroline Aherne (1963 - 2016), The Royale Family actress

Caroline Aherne, an English comedian, actress, and writer, died of cancer July 2, 2016, at her home in Manchester, according to multiple news sources. She was 52.

Mary Tyler Moore (1936 - 2017), beloved actress

Mary Tyler Moore, the vivacious actress known best for roles on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show," died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. She was 80.

The House That Lucy Built: The Legacy of Desilu Productions (video)

Desilu Productions, founded by Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz, was one of the most influential production companies in TV history. They changed the existing paradigm in television, producing “I Love Lucy” in Los Angeles instead of New York City, and shooting on film instead of broadcasting live, allowing them to package the show for reruns, and making themselves very wealthy. They reinvested that money into developing more shows. They branched out into genres beyond comedy, working with writers and producers to bring shows like “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible” to the small screen. These shows have become multimedia franchises, and the original Desilu Productions lives on under the name of CBS Television Productions.

Stevie Ryan (1984 - 2017), YouTube star

YouTube star acted on VH1’s “Stevie TV” comedy series...

Patti Deutsch (1943 - 2017), Match Game comedian

Voice actress often appeared on “Match Game”…

Rose Marie (1923–2017), starred as Sally Rogers on "The Dick Van Dyke Show"

She had a nine decade career in Hollywood.

Nanette Fabray (1920–2018), Award-winning actress and humanitarian

Nanette Fabray, an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and humanitarian.

Barbara Harris (1935–2018), starred in “Nashville” and “Freaky Friday”

Versatile actress was a co-founder of Second City.

Penny Marshall (1943–2018), filmmaker and “Laverne and Shirley” star

Penny Marshall (1943–2018) was the star of the popular sitcom, “Laverne and Shirley.” She later moved behind the camera to become an acclaimed director, helming the hit movies “Big,” “Awakenings,” and “A League of Their Own.”

Eunetta Boone (1955–2019), showrunner who created "One on One"

Eunetta Boone was the creator of the UPN sitcom "One on One" and its spinoff "Cuts," as well as showrunner for the Disney Channel series "Raven's Home."

Valerie Harper (1939–2019), star of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda"

Valerie Harper was the Emmy-winning actress who starred in TV's "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda," playing the colorful and spunky Rhoda Morgenstern. She also appeared in movies including “Freebie and the Bean” and “Chapter Two,” for which she received Golden Globe nominations, and she was Tony-nominated for her work on Broadway.

Suzanne Whang (1962–2019), former host of “House Hunters”

Suzanne Whang was the host of HGTV’s “House Hunters” from the show’s debut in 1999 through 2007. She was also an actress and comedian, and she had a recurring role as Polly Nguyen on “Las Vegas.” Whang played Carol Cheng on “General Hospital” and made appearances on shows including “Criminal Minds,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Boston Legal.” She won the Best Up & Coming Comedian Award at the 2002 Las Vegas Comedy Festival and the Andy Kaufman Award at the 2004 New York Comedy Festival. She had been battling breast cancer for 13 years.

Women's History Month: Legacies & Life Stories

Women accomplish amazing things every day, and that’s always worth celebrating. But in March, we take special notice of women’s achievements as we observe Women’s History Month.

Maggie Griffin (1920–2020), Kathy Griffin’s mother who costarred on “My Life on the D-List”

Maggie Griffin was the mother of comedian Kathy Griffin and costarred with her daughter on televisions My Life on the D-List.

Grandma Lee (1934–2020), America’s Got Talent finalist

Grandma Lee was a comicwho was an Americae28099s Got Talent finalist in 2009. She startedherstand-upcomedycareer in her 60s.

Brandis Kemp (1944–2020), “AfterMASH” actress

Brandis Kemp was an actress known for “AfterMASH” and “Fridays.”

Conchata Ferrell (1943–2020), Berta on 'Two and a Half Men'

Conchata Ferrell starred as the wisecracking housekeeper Berta for all 12 seasons of the hit sitcom 'Two and a Half Men.'

Carol Arthur (1935–2020), 'Blazing Saddles' actor

Carol Arthur starred in "Blazing Saddles" and was the widow of .

Natalie Desselle Reid (1967–2020), starred in 'B.A.P.S.'

Natalie Desselle Reid was a comic actor known for roles in "B.A.P.S." and "Madea's Big Happy Family."

Cloris Leachman (1926–2021), Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress

Cloris Leachman was a versatile Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning actress known for roles in films including “The Last Picture Show” and “Young Frankenstein” as well as in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

Jeanne Robertson (1943–2021), humorist known for family-friendly laughs

Jeanne Robertson was a humorist who was known for her wholesome stories of family life, featured on YouTube and Sirius XM.

Judy Tenuta (1949–2022), standup comedy’s “Love Goddess”

Judy Tenuta was a comedian and actress who played the accordion in her act and called herself “The Love Goddess.”

Diane Ford (1955–2024), stand-up comedian in HBO specials 

Diane Ford was a stand-up comedian known for her HBO comedy specials and for appearances on such shows as “An Evening at the Improv.” 

Erica Ash (1977–2024), MADtv and Survivor’s Remorse actress

Erica Ash was an actress best known for her comedy work in the Fox sketch comedy show “MADtv” and the Starz sitcom “Survivor’s Remorse.”