Judy Tenuta, the 'Love Goddess' comedienne and actress, dead at 72

foxnews.com:

Judy Tenuta, the stand-up comedienne and actress known as the "Love Goddess," died on Thursday. She was 72. Tenuta's publicist Roger Neal confirmed that she died of ovarian cancer at her home in Los Angeles while surrounded by family. "She was a very funny, amazing performer," Neal told The Associated Press, adding that it was always a "happy time to be around her."  Judy Tenuta, the stand-up comedian and actress known as the ‘Love Goddess’, died on Thursday at the age of 72. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) Earlier reports of her death stated that Tenuta was 65 since she had previously claimed that she was born on Nov.

7, 1965, though her actual birth year was 1949.  "She was old school so she would never tell her real age but now that she’s gone we can tell her real age," Neal explained.

Tenuta was known for her shrill, gravelly delivery, her acerbic, expletive-laden humor and her accordion-playing. According to her obituary, friends suggested that she incorporate an accordion into her act as she developed her whimsical, wisecracking persona, the "Love Goddess." The veteran comic learned to play the instrument after being encouraged by her mother, who was a fan of accordionist Lawrence Welk.Tenuta's accordion, which she described as "an instrument of love and submission," is currently on display in the Hollywood Museum.

Born in the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Oak Park, Tenuda was the daughter of a Polish mother, Johanna, and an Italian father, Caesar.