Comedian Judy Tenuta, known to her fans as “The Goddess of Love” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion,” died Thursday at the age of 72.
The far-reaching comedian died at his home in Studio City, Calif., after a battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer, spokesman Roger Neal. told the Associated Press.
“She was so funny and a great performer,” said Neil, adding, “It was always a happy time to be by her side.”
Neil said that while Tenuta claimed her birth date as November 7, 1965, she was actually born in 1949.
“She was old school so we never said her real age, but now that she’s gone we can find out her real age.
The two-time Grammy nominee toured with George Carlin when her career began in the 1980s. Comics have found her voice on stages such as Los Angeles’ Comedy Store, Houston’s Rough Stop, and New York City’s Carolines.
In 1987, Tenuta rose to prominence in the HBO special On Location: Women of the Night, starring Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone, and Ritard Donner.
The following year, Tenuta was named best female comedy club performer opposite male winner Jerry Seinfeld in the “American Comedy Awards” television special.
A native of Chicago, Tenuta grew up with his six siblings in a suburb of Maywood.