Actress/Game Show Player Debralee Scott Dies at 52 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bossradio93 · 04-07-2005, 02:27 PM

Actress/Game Show Player Debralee Scott Dies at 52

She was introduced to television as the memorable Rosalie "Hotzi" Totzi on Welcome Back, Kotter. She was Cathy Shumway, the younger sister of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Angie.

Actress Debralee Scott, who was a frequent face as a game show celebrity in the late 1970s and early '80s, died Tuesday night at her new home in Amelia Island, Fl.

Scott, who had recently moved to the resort area near Jacksonville, turned 52 last Saturday. Long-time close friend Shelley Herman told TVgameshows.net of Scott's passing.

Scott turns up frequently on GSN's Match Game reruns, which she populated from 1976-80. Among her other game show credits: The $20,000 Pyramid (with Soupy Sales and Peter Lawford, among others), Chain Reaction and Password Plus.

In recent years, Scott became a personal manager based in both New York and Los Angeles.

Herman said Scott moved to north Florida to help care for her sister. "I talked to her Saturday on her birthday," said Herman. "A week before, she mysteriously went into a coma for three days. She woke from it joking with the nurses. She told me the nurse kept asking her, 'Do you know where you are?' She replied, 'Obviously, I'm in the hopsital.'"

Doctors apparently could not determine a reason for the coma. She returned home on her birthday to unpack belongings shipped from Brooklyn.

Scott, who was one of several favorites of the many supporting comedy actresses who populated the lower tier of Match Game, encountered a tragedy during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Her fiance, New York Port Authority officer J.D. Levi was killed. Scott worked tirelessly to help Levi's mother obtain money from the national relief fund for 9/11 victims' families.

Herman said Scott particularly enjoyed working for producer Bob Stewart. "A few years ago, I sent her a copy of a pilot she did, hosted by David Letterman for Bob Stewart," Herman said. "She loved seeing it and said she was sorry she didn't still have the sweater she wore on the show any longer."

Herman, a former writer for Supermarket Sweep, said Scott was crazy about the grocery game and frequently pleaded for a celebrity version so she could play.

According to Herman, Scott dated former Beatle Ringo Starr in the 1970s. "On one of her many appearances on The Merv Griffin Show, (Merv) introduced her by saying she was dating Ringo," remembered Herman. "Having just split up from Ringo, she yelled to Merv while standing in the wings, 'Not anymore!' It got a huge laugh."

Born April 2, 1953 in Elizabeth, N.J., Scott was the sister of producer Scott Bushnell and talent manager Jeri Scott. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

tvgameshows.net-April 7, 2005

Photo from tvgameshows.net

snl75 · 04-07-2005, 04:11 PM

thats very sad ive been a fan of hers since i was a kid well at least she will bbe with her husband who she tragiclly lost on 9/11 she will be missed by many fans including me

Mr. Television · 04-07-2005, 04:13 PM

Oh God. That is so sad. I've been a fan of hers for years. She was a central part of my tv watching in the 70's. R.I.P.

Skywalker · 04-07-2005, 08:08 PM

This is terrible. I thought she was great on Welcome Back, Kotter. R.I.P. Debralee.

musicradio77 · 04-08-2005, 08:04 AM

She was on "Match Game" as a semi-regular. RIP -

Pitooey · 04-08-2005, 09:23 AM

It's so sad to hear this. I'm such a fan of hers. I remember her also in one of my favorite shows in the 70's she played a sister in law to Robert Hegyes. The show was called Angie. I loved her in this show. What a good comical actress she was.

I wonder how she died? She was so young.

EricIdlefan · 04-11-2005, 10:14 PM

Remember the Match Game "School Riot" incident with Richard Dawson where they "protested" the answer back in 1977 and spent the rest of the show with their cards up on their name signs protesting!!

snl75 · 04-12-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricIdlefan

Remember the Match Game "School Riot" incident with Richard Dawson where they "protested" the answer back in 1977 and spent the rest of the show with their cards up on their name signs protesting!!

as much as ive watched match game i should remember that ep. but i really dont and i watched almost every day back in 77 i should chek my mg. tapes and see if i dont have that ep.

ClassicTV4Ever · 04-13-2005, 05:06 PM

Oh my God! NO! I really liked her

Mikado · 07-27-2005, 02:10 AM

04-07-2005, 02:27 PM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Actress/Game Show Player Debralee Scott Dies at 52 Actress/Game Show Player Debralee Scott Dies at 52 She was introduced to television as the memorable Rosalie "Hotzi" Totzi on Welcome Back, Kotter. She was Cathy Shumway, the younger sister of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Angie. Actress Debralee Scott, who was a frequent face as a game show celebrity in the late 1970s and early '80s, died Tuesday night at her new home in Amelia Island, Fl. Scott, who had recently moved to the resort area near Jacksonville, turned 52 last Saturday. Long-time close friend Shelley Herman told TVgameshows.net of Scott's passing. Scott turns up frequently on GSN's Match Game reruns, which she populated from 1976-80. Among her other game show credits: The $20,000 Pyramid (with Soupy Sales and Peter Lawford, among others), Chain Reaction and Password Plus. In recent years, Scott became a personal manager based in both New York and Los Angeles. Herman said Scott moved to north Florida to help care for her sister. "I talked to her Saturday on her birthday," said Herman. "A week before, she mysteriously went into a coma for three days. She woke from it joking with the nurses. She told me the nurse kept asking her, 'Do you know where you are?' She replied, 'Obviously, I'm in the hopsital.'" Doctors apparently could not determine a reason for the coma. She returned home on her birthday to unpack belongings shipped from Brooklyn. Scott, who was one of several favorites of the many supporting comedy actresses who populated the lower tier of Match Game, encountered a tragedy during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Her fiance, New York Port Authority officer J.D. Levi was killed. Scott worked tirelessly to help Levi's mother obtain money from the national relief fund for 9/11 victims' families. Herman said Scott particularly enjoyed working for producer Bob Stewart. "A few years ago, I sent her a copy of a pilot she did, hosted by David Letterman for Bob Stewart," Herman said. "She loved seeing it and said she was sorry she didn't still have the sweater she wore on the show any longer." Herman, a former writer for Supermarket Sweep, said Scott was crazy about the grocery game and frequently pleaded for a celebrity version so she could play. According to Herman, Scott dated former Beatle Ringo Starr in the 1970s. "On one of her many appearances on The Merv Griffin Show, (Merv) introduced her by saying she was dating Ringo," remembered Herman. "Having just split up from Ringo, she yelled to Merv while standing in the wings, 'Not anymore!' It got a huge laugh." Born April 2, 1953 in Elizabeth, N.J., Scott was the sister of producer Scott Bushnell and talent manager Jeri Scott. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. tvgameshows.net-April 7, 2005 Photo from tvgameshows.net Attached Images
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04-07-2005, 04:13 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Oh God. That is so sad. I've been a fan of hers for years. She was a central part of my tv watching in the 70's. R.I.P.
	__________________ Sonny

04-08-2005, 08:04 AM	#5
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	She was on "Match Game" as a semi-regular. RIP -
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04-08-2005, 09:23 AM	#6
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	It's so sad to hear this. I'm such a fan of hers. I remember her also in one of my favorite shows in the 70's she played a sister in law to Robert Hegyes. The show was called Angie. I loved her in this show. What a good comical actress she was. I wonder how she died? She was so young.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

04-11-2005, 10:14 PM	#7
EricIdlefan USA 250th! Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Remember the Match Game "School Riot" incident with Richard Dawson where they "protested" the answer back in 1977 and spent the rest of the show with their cards up on their name signs protesting!!
	__________________ JUSA 250th Anniversary!

04-07-2005, 04:11 PM	#2
snl75 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2004 Location: in the formen basement watching snl Posts: 1,377	thats very sad ive been a fan of hers since i was a kid well at least she will bbe with her husband who she tragiclly lost on 9/11 she will be missed by many fans including me

04-07-2005, 08:08 PM	#4
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	This is terrible. I thought she was great on Welcome Back, Kotter. R.I.P. Debralee.

04-13-2005, 05:06 PM	#9
ClassicTV4Ever Coming November 27th! Senior Member Join Date: May 02, 2002 Location: TV Land! Posts: 1,421	Oh my God! NO! I really liked her

07-27-2005, 02:10 AM	#10
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892