Arthur Gettleman was married to Estelle Getty. Getty was a celebrated American actress and comedian, renowned for her iconic portrayal of Sophia Petrillo on the television series “The Golden Girls” (1985–1992).
Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Quick Bio
Full Name | Arthur Gettleman |
Famous As | Husband of Estelle Getty |
Gender | Male |
Age | 85 years at the time of death |
Date of Birth | 6 May 1919 |
Place of Birth | Bronx, Bronx County, New York, USA |
Date of Death | 23 Sep 2004 |
Place of Death | Mami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Parents | Samuel Gettleman and Beatrice Levy |
Children | Barry Gettleman and Carl Gettleman |
Who is Arthur Gettleman?
Arthur Gettleman was born on May 6, 1919, in the Bronx, New York. He was the husband of the famous American actress and comedian, Estelle Getty.
Samuel Gettleman and Beatrice Levy were the parents of Arthur Gettleman. There is not much information present about the early life and upbringing of Arthur. He kept these details to himself and opted for a private lifestyle.
Arthur Gettleman passed away on September 23, 2004, in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA at the age of 85.
Education and Profession
Arthur Gettleman has deliberately kept his educational background confidential. He has not disclosed details about his schooling or any academic achievements he may have attained.
Arthur Gettleman was a retail glass businessman who worked in the family’s glass business. He was involved in glass installation and worked with his father-in-law in the industry.
Arthur Gettleman’s Wife: Estelle Getty
Estelle Getty, born Estelle Scher on July 25, 1923, was an American actress and comedian best known for her portrayal of Sophia Petrillo on the TV show “The Golden Girls.”

Getty achieved fame later in life, becoming a favorite firecracker on 80s and 90s television for her role as a meddlesome and witty mom.
Despite nearly five decades of stage work, she gained “overnight” stardom at age 62. Getty was a dedicated activist for gay rights and was involved in charitable causes.
She passed away on July 22, 2008, after battling Lewy body dementia. Getty’s legacy lives on through her iconic role in “The Golden Girls” and her impact on the entertainment industry.
Estelle Getty’s Journey to “The Golden Girls”
Estelle always wanted to be an actress since she was a kid. She dreamed of being on TV and worked hard for it.
Before she got her big role in “The Golden Girls,” she did small acting jobs. She also had other jobs to make ends meet.

When Estelle auditioned for “The Golden Girls,” she was already in her 60s. Some other actors who auditioned had been in big shows before, but it was Estelle’s first big chance. She didn’t want to miss it.
But, there was a problem. Estelle didn’t look old enough for the role of Sophia, who was supposed to be 80 years old. She got rejected twice because of this.
Estelle didn’t give up. She knew she needed to look older for the role. So, she asked the makeup artist to make her look exactly like an 80-year-old woman.
Getting the role of Sophia meant a lot to Estelle. It wasn’t just another job for her. It was the biggest opportunity of her acting career.
With determination and the help of makeup, Estelle finally got the role and became a beloved part of “The Golden Girls” cast.
Arthur’s Marital Life
Arthur Gettleman and Estelle Getty first met at a party, where Getty was introduced to Arthur by her friends from the New York theater circuit.
They hit it off, and nine months later, on December 21, 1947, they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones.
Following their marriage, they resided in the Bronx for a period before moving to Oakland Gardens, Queens.
They lived in a cooperative community called Bell Park Gardens, designed for Jewish veterans of World War II.
In the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, Estelle Getty and Arthur Gettleman lived separately for a time.
While Getty moved to California to work on “The Golden Girls,” Arthur chose to stay in New York and continued his work in the family’s glass business, having no desire to relocate.
Arthur and Estelle remained married until he died in 2004. Estelle Getty passed away on July 22, 2008, due to Lewy body dementia. Arthur Gettleman and Estelle Getty were married for 56 years.
Arthur Gettleman’s Children
Arthur Gettleman and Estelle Getty had two sons, Carl Gettleman and Barry Gettleman. Carl lives in California, while Barry resides in Florida
What Happened to Arthur Gettleman’s Wife?
Just three days before her 85th birthday, Estelle Getty, the wife of Arthur Gettleman, passed away in the early hours of July 22, 2008, at her Los Angeles residence.
Her family attributed her passing to dementia with Lewy bodies.
She found her final resting place in Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where her headstone bears the poignant inscription “With Love and Laughter,” accompanied by a Star of David, honoring her Jewish heritage.
Her co-stars from “The Golden Girls,” Bea Arthur, Betty White, and Rue McClanahan, were deeply saddened by her departure.
They revealed in interviews that her illness had progressed to the extent that she could no longer engage in conversations with them or even recognize them.
Reports suggest that signs of dementia first emerged during the filming of the television series.
Despite her extensive experience in theater spanning over three decades, Estelle Getty struggled to recall her lines, eventually relying on cue cards during later seasons.
Additionally, Getty battled osteoporosis and was suspected of having Parkinson’s disease, adding to her health challenges.
Estelle Getty had a fear that not many knew about. Her co-star Betty White shared in her memoir that Estelle was really scared of dying.
During the first season of their show, everything was fine. But as they started filming the second season, Estelle’s fear of dying grew. She didn’t like jokes about death because her fear was so big.
Because of Estelle’s fear, the cast decided not to include any jokes about death in the show’s script. They wanted to support Estelle and make her feel comfortable on set.
Arthur Gettleman’s Net Worth
There is no explicit information available about the net worth of Arthur Gettleman. As a private person, Arthur had never shared any details about his financial standings with the media.
However, his wife, Estelle Getty had a net worth of $8 Million at the time of her passing.
Arthur Gettleman’s Death
Arthur Gettleman passed away on September 10, 2004.
Though the exact cause of his death remains unspecified in available sources, his contributions in the life of his wife endure, leaving behind memories cherished by those who knew him.