Judy Tenuta, brash 'Goddess of Love' comedian, dies at 72

Judy Tenuta was a standup comedian who toured with George Carlin as she built her career in the 1980s golden age of comedy. She was older than 70.

Roger Neal told the AP that Tenuta died at her home in Los Angeles. Ovarian Cancer was the cause of death.

It was always a happy time to be around her, as she was a very funny, amazing performer.

Neal said that Tenuta was born in 1949. He said that she was old school so she wouldn't tell her real age.

She had a heart-shaped face and a flower accent, but it was quickly shattered by her loud, gravelly delivery and acidic humor. She affectionately called her accordion an instrument of love and submission.

She was part of a generation of performers who drove the popularity of live comedy in clubs nationwide. There was room for women in a male-dominated field.

Tenuta gained national attention in 1987 when she starred in a HBO special called "On location: Women of the Night."

Tenuta was the best female comedy club performer in the 1988 American Comedy Awards. Robin Williams was one of the recipients that year for their work.

Tenuta joked that she would swap it for being a wife and mother if she could.

She frequently appeared on late-night talk shows and game shows. She appeared on "The Weird Al Show" and "Space Ghost Coast to Coast." She performed in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Tenuta attended a Catholic school in Maywood that she called "St. Obnoxious and Bondage." Petite Flower became one of her stage nicknames in a catholic family that included six brothers.

She worked at an outlet for Catholic religious attire after graduating college.

Tenuta said in a 1989 interview that he was fired because he tried the stuff. The boss got kind of upset when he showed up. I had to see if they looked good. I want to improve these broads.

After joining Second City, Tenuta started her standup career. Most people caught on immediately to her act, which included the self-centered religion she called "Judy-ism."

I'm the only one that complains in my religion. She told the AP that her religion makes it easy for people to forget about their problems and focus on her.

That's right.

Mallika Sen is a journalist for the AP.

That's right.

The story has been changed to say that Tenuta is 72 years old.