Popular stand-up comic Judy Tenuta, known to her fans as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite ofthe Accordion,” died of ovarian cancer on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles. She was 72.
Known for her acerbic humor, expletive-laden jokes, raspy voice and accordion playing, she was among the performers who fueled the popularity of live comedy in clubs, including the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Laff Stop in Houston and Caroline’s in New York City.
Tenuta co-starred with Bruce Vilanch in theindie “Sister Mary,” and had small roles in “Gibsonburg” and Hillary and Haley Duff’s “MaterialGirls.” Her TV work included appearances in “General Hospital,” “Ned’sDeclassified School Survival Guide” and “Corey inthe House.” In addition to playing minor characters on“The Weird AlShow,” she was a regular in Al Yankovic’s comedyshorts and music videos.
“Earth has truly lost a goddess,” Yankovic tweeted following news of her death.
Devastated to hear of the passing of my dear, dear friend, the lovely Miss Judy Tenuta. I can’t believe she’s gone. Earth has truly lost a goddess. pic.twitter/TiRuWTARiB
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) October 6, 2022
On stage, she appeared in “The Vagina Monologues” and “Menopause theMusical” both in L.A. and Chicago, and her own stand-upspecials onShowtime, HBO and Lifetime.
One of those HBO specials was 1987’s “Women of the Night,” alongside Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone and Rita Rudner, when Tenuta first gained nationwide attention.
By the mid-1980s, Tenutahad gained notice for a seriesof television ads for MTV and Diet Dr Pepper andmoved to Los Angeles, butcontinued to perform on national tours, makingvisits to the Chicago circuit.
Tenuta was an outspoken advocatefor gay rights andfrequently performed at gay bars and clubs around Chicago, and appeared as a grand marshal for numerous pride festivals. She became ordained as a minister to officiate same-sex marriages.
Born in Oak Park, a suburb ofChicago, on Nov. 7, 1949, her interest in comedy began when shetook a class with the Chicago improv group The Second City andshortly after began opening for other comedians in Chicago throughout the 1970s.
Known for her elaborate, campy and boundary-pushing costumes (complete with “egg bras” and “nippy cup necklaces”) and personas, Tenuta’sacts included themonikers “The Petite Flower,” “Fashion-Plate Saint,”“Queenof Candy-Pants,” “Princess of Panty Shields,” “Empress ofElvis Impersonators” and the “Buffer of Foreheads.”
Tenuta was the first female stand-up comic tobe named best female comedian atthe American Comedy Awards. She was atwo-time Grammy nominee for best comedy album for “Attention Butt-Pirates and Lesbetarians!” and “In Goddess We Trust.”She wrote the books “Full Frontal Tenudity”and “The Power of Judyism.”
Tenutais survived by her partner, Vern Pang, five brothers (Daniel, John,Steven, Thomas and James) and sisterBarbara.Tenuta will be buried at Hollywood Forever. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Make aWish Foundation, St. Jude Hospital or City ofHope.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Tenuta was 65 at the time of her death. She was 72.
