Judy Tenuta, 'Goddess of Love' comedian, dies of ovarian cancer at 72

LOS ANGELES — Judy Tenuta, a brash stand-up comic who cheekily styled herself as the "Goddess of Love" and toured with George Carlin as she built her career in the 1980s golden age of comedy, died Thursday. She was 72.

Tenuta died Thursday afternoon at home in Los Angeles with her family around her, publicist Roger Neal told The Associated Press. Ovarian cancer was the cause of her death.

Neal stated that she was an "amazing performer and very funny" and it was always a joy to be with her.

Neal stated that Tenuta claimed her birth date as Nov. 7, 1956. However, she was actually born in 1949. He said that Tenuta was an old school student and would not tell her her true age. However, now that she is gone, we can tell her her real age.

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Bouffant hair and a flower accent topped her heart-shaped face gave off an impression of sweetness. However, this was quickly destroyed by her gravelly delivery and acidic humor. She called the accordion, "an instrument of love & submission" that she included in her act.

She was part of a generation that drove the popularity and growth of live comedy in clubs across the country, including the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and Laff Stop in Houston. Caroline's is also in New York City. Tenuta is one example of a woman who found her place in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Tenuta was a national star in 1987 when she appeared on "On Location: Women of the Night", an HBO special in which Ellen DeGeneres and Paula Poundstone starred.

Tenuta was named best female comedian in 1988's "American Comedy Awards TV special. She was paired with Jerry Seinfeld, the male winner. Other honorees for their club or screen work that year were Robin Williams, Lily Tomlin, and Bette Midler.

"I would trade it in a minute, if I could just be a wife and mother," wisecracked the gold lamé-wrapped, gum-chewing Tenuta, who accepted her award from Carlin.

She was a regular guest on late-night talk and game shows, as well as with radio shock jock Howard Stern. Her acting and voiceover credits included appearances on "The Weird Al Show", and "Space Ghost Coast to Coast." She was seen onstage in "The Vagina Monologues", Los Angeles and Chicago.

Tenuta was twice nominated for a Grammy, receiving back-to-back nominations for best spoken-word comedy album for "Attention Butt Pirates & Lesbetarians" in 1995 and 1996.

She was a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights and participated in pride festivals, counting members of the queer community among her enthusiastic fans. She stated that she was available for same-sex marriages as an ordained minister in Judyism.

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Tenuta grew in Chicago's Maywood suburb, where she attended Catholic schools. One of her favorites was "St. Obnoxious & Bondage." She said she was the "isolated, petite flower" — Petite Flower becoming one of her stage nicknames — in a Catholic family that included six brothers.

After graduating from college, she worked odd jobs such as wrapping meat and taking inventory at a outlet for Catholic religious apparel.

Tenuta said that he was fired after he caught him trying the stuff on in a 1989 interview with AP. "So the boss came in and I guess he got a little upset. And I said, "Well, I have see if they look good. I'm trying make improvements for these broads. "

Before she started her solo stand-up career, Tenuta joined the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. Despite her bizarre stage appearance and outlandish clothes, Tenuta claimed that most people liked her act, which included the self-centered Judyism religion.

"In my religion, I am the only one who can complain." She said that the best thing about my religion was that you can forget about all your problems and focus on mine for a while.

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Many comedians have taken to social media in grief over the passing of Tenuta, including Billy Eichner from "Bros".

"Loved her. An original," Eichner tweeted.

"RIP Judy Tenuta,"  wrote Michael McKean on Twitter. "One of a type."

Bobby Lee tweeted, "Sweet woman and funny,"

"Fly with angels, funny girl!" Star Lydia Cornell wrote "Too Close for Comfort." "The love and laughter will continue forever."

Judy Tenuta was a comedian I met when I started doing standup. We met the first time I went onstage," Marsha Warfield tweeted. "#RestInPeace Love Goddess."

"I can’t believe she’s gone," wrote "Weird Al" Yankovic on Twitter. "Earth has lost a true goddess."

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Contributing: Edward Segarra USA TODAY