10 More TV Sitcom Characters With Shockingly Dark Backstories

The Golden Girls were a collection of ladies who charmed the television world with their sass, complicated love lives, and friendship. All the main cast were great, but chief among them was an absolute queen named Sophia Petrillo. 

Sophia was the wise-cracking, tall tale-spouting lady we all aspire to be when reaching her age. But, while viewers fell for her "who cares?" attitude, that moxie resulted from a serious medical condition. 

You see, Sophia suffered from a stroke before the events of the show, which actively impacted her lack of filter. Yes, it was hilarious when she busted out zingers about Rose's intelligence or Blanche's sex life, but that lack of censorship stemmed from genuine brain damage. 

Sadly, it's not just that, as Sophia went through a lot before the start of the show. 

Picture it - your mother dies, and then your husband dies shortly after. Then, you suffer from a stroke that causes synaptic damage. Afterwards you move into a retirement home where the staff treat you poorly before it eventually burns down. This lady had some real bad luck.