Short takes/Celeb birthdays: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Published: July 29, 2008

•Country singer Martina McBride, 42.

•Actor Robert Horton ("Wagon Train”), 84.

•Documentary maker Ken Burns, 55.

•Singer Patti Scialfa (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band), 55.

•Actor Wil Wheaton, 36.

•Singer Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men), 35.

•Actor Stephen Dorff, 35.

•Actor Josh Radnor ("How I Met Your Mother”), 34.

•Musician Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley), 31.

•Actress Allison Mack ("Smallville”), 26.

•2003: Comedian Bob Hope died of pneumonia at 100.

•Private memorial service held for Estelle Getty

LOS ANGELES — Estelle Getty always liked a bargain.

Despite her sitcom success, son Carl Gettleman told friends and family at a private memorial July 24 that his mother always chose frugal over flashy. He told of a time his Emmy-winning mother's Toyota Tercel was towed from her parking space at "The Golden Girls” lot because security thought someone else had parked there.

"The Great Depression left an indelible impression on Mom,” Gettleman said.

Getty suffered from advanced dementia and died July 22 at her Hollywood home. She was 84.

The diminutive actress was best known for her role as wisecracking Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls,” which ran from 1985-92 on NBC.

The Associated Press

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