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Home › Entertainment

'Golden Girl' Bea Arthur | 04/26/2009 10:45 am

Remembering Bea Arthur (Videos)

Beatrice Arthur — the TV star in the hit shows ‘Maude’ and ‘The Golden Girls’ and Tony Award winner for the musical ‘Mame’ — died Satuday at age 86.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Bea Arthur at 1987 Emmys
Flickr/ Alan Light

Bea Arthur, the legendary star of television hits including "Maude" and "Golden Girls," passed away on Saturday at age 86.

Born Bernice Frankel in New York City in 1922, Arthur first appeared in the landmark comedy series "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker’s feminist, liberal cousin, Maude Findlay. Her razor-sharp exchanges with bigot Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O’Connor, were so entertaining, producers created a spin-off for Arthur, and called it "Maude." Arthur’s portrayal of an outspoken wife and mother living in an upper-class suburb garnered her several awards, including an Emmy in 1977.

Arthur also took Broadway by storm in 1966 — along with costar Angela Lansbury — in the musical "Mame." She won a Tony as best supporting actress for her performance as Vera Charles.

For younger generations, Arthur is probably best remembered for her role in the groundbreaking series "Golden Girls." The show debuted in 1985, and followed four older women sharing a Miami apartment. Arthur played the caustic Dorothy Zbornak, a divorced substitute teacher residing with her witty mother, Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty), and friends Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) and Rose Nylund (Betty White). Her performance led to several Emmy nominations and an award in 1988.

Upon the news of Arthur’s death, fellow "Golden Girl" White said: 

I knew it would hurt, I just didn’t know it would hurt this much. I’m so happy that she received her Lifetime Achievement Award while she was still with us, so she could appreciate that. She was such a big part of my life.

McClanahan, the only other remaining "Golden Girl," said: "[Thirty-seven] years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy. I’ll miss that courage. And I’ll miss that voice." McClanahan also shared the screen with Arthur in the ’70s in "Maude," playing best friend Vivian.

Arthur, with her towering presence and deep voice, had always played domineering and strong women. "Let’s face it," Arthur told an interviewer in 1985, "nobody ever asked me to play Juliet."

A spokesperson for the family said Arthur died in her Los Angeles home. Arthur had cancer but the spokesperson did not comment further. Arthur is survived by her sons and two granddaughters. In tribute to the legendary actress and comedian, Bea Arthur, below are video clips from "Maude" and "Golden Girls."

Maude Findlay is home alone and best friend Viv (Rue McClanahan) is staying over to keep her company. Watch:

A collection of memorable "Golden Girls" clips:

Read more about: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Celebrity, Estelle Getty, Golden Girls, News, Obituaries, Rue McClanahan, Video

20 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

caren gittleman
what a classy and talented woman she was. She will be greatly missed! I used to just love her in "Golden Girls", I was pretty young when I watched that but she made me think that when would become a "golden girl" myself it would be great fun! Except for some physical changes I could live without she was right! Deepest condolences to her family.
By caren gittleman on 04/26/2009 11:19 am
M J
She is unforgettable.
By M J on 04/26/2009 12:15 pm
nanchan u

To Bea:

When I was little, I watched you on "All In The Family" first and then "Maude".  I was little little at that time and you helped to shape my life.  In a household filled with boys (I have four brothers), life stopped when "Maude" came on and the football was tabled so I could watch my favorite show.

The brave choices you allowed Norman Lear, that other vocalist for women’s rights, to educate young women about, channelled through your character, shaped an entire generation (s?) of women. 

When I was a little older, I admired you so much in the "Golden Girls".  You were so amazing… I would watch you then as well.

Then I left my country.  When I came back, my daughter was about 3.  Every night, when I got her home from daycare and me after a hard day at work, we would sit down together and watch "The Golden Girls".  When I finally got online, one of the first websites we visited together was the Lifetime site, where my baby wanted to take the "Which Golden Girl are You?" quiz.  She got Rose… I got Dorothy.

Bea, you have been a part of my life and your choices in roles have had a profound effect, not only on my life, but on that of my daughter.  Yesterday, I was answering a post here at WOW when an email alert came in saying you had passed on.

I finished the thread and called my daughter into my room.  When she saw the email, she too started to cry.  We felt like we had lost an older sister, one who was there to guide us when things were rough and one who directed us to take some brave chances in life.  And you also taught us that being older than 25 can mean being HOT and loving life.

Thank you, darling Bea.  Your spirit will live on day in our hearts.

To Bea’s family:

If I felt that way about Bea, I can only imagine how you are feeling.  Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.   Thank you for sharing your mother/sister/relative with the world. 

By nanchan u on 04/26/2009 12:15 pm
Judy K.
She did a wonderful eyeballs to heaven look when someone said something dumb that made me laugh every time.  Didn’t even know she was ailing.  Too soon, too sad, too bad. 
By Judy K. on 04/26/2009 12:28 pm
Melanie Waldrop
Great post Nanchan! I was just like you as a girl in the 70s watching "All in the Family" and then "Maude". Like you, I found these Norman Lear shows—and the Bea’s character Maude—both inspiring and empowering. I am truly saddened by Ms. Arthur’s passing, and would like to echo nanchan’s condolences and observations of how much Bea Arthur meant to me, and a whole generation of women, as well as many other fans.
By Melanie Waldrop on 04/26/2009 12:31 pm
nanchan u

Watching the clips, I also want to send my condolences out to Rue McClanahan and Betty White….. we love you girls! 

(The Golden Girls are the Beatles of TV!)

By nanchan u on 04/26/2009 12:51 pm
Beth Cornell
I think this one thing we can all agree on "What a Dame!." There will be no one else like her. I send my heartfelt condolences. You are at Peace now Bea. 
By Beth Cornell on 04/26/2009 2:24 pm
Mary Utrup
No other talent could ever compare to that of Bea Arthur. I just hope her family is being forwarded ALL of the condolences on each of the internet web sites. It will give them consolation for YEARS to come. She’s meant so much to so many for so long. A great talent who will live in our hearts forever. Our condolences not only to the family but to Betty White and Rue McClanahan who have to be feeling this deeply.
By Mary Utrup on 04/26/2009 2:37 pm
Amanda C

i was devastated when i heard she had passed away. i kick myself for not attending her comdey tour when she came to my area years ago.

i still watch maude and golden girls - i usually have golden girls playing in the background in the morning while i putter around getting ready for the day.

her wit, her beauty, her strong convictions for what is right. her shows always tackled hard issues.

i will miss her every day.

By Amanda C on 04/26/2009 3:38 pm
DeBúrca obj
I sort of feel like an era has passed. 
By DeBúrca obj on 04/26/2009 5:40 pm
Mel Berg
When I heard about her passing I got a knot in my throat, much the same feeling I felt when Estele Getty passed away. To me these ladies were not just people on t.v. they became part of my life, much like good friends, although we never met, their life still intertwined in mine own. I am a person who loves music and good television programs. It seems both play a huge part of my whole being, Bea’s passing made me think of the lyrics to a Joplin song "take another little piece of my heart", good t.v. programs and good music live forever in my memories, they go hand in hand. It is much the same way on this web site, people I don’t know personally but friends none the less, even if we don’t have the same opinions. To the many I have never met but consider friends, may we always hold each other in high esteem. To Bea’s family may she live on in your memories like she will in mine, good bye, good friend.
By Mel Berg on 04/26/2009 5:41 pm
Woody McBreairty

I had a small part playing a hotel desk clerk on "The Golden Girls" in the 80’s.  I feel privileged to have a small connection to such a legendary show and to have shared a set with such talents.  I met them all separately on different occassions and went to Rue McClanahan’s book signing a year or so ago in West Hollywood.   They were a unique collection of comic talent that may never be duplicated ever again.

By Woody McBreairty on 04/26/2009 6:49 pm
Lizzie R.
She was one of a kind and can never be replaced. When Maude first appeared it was so refreshing for women to see a woman protrayed in a role opposite to the "docile little woman" they had previously been. The Golden Girls is as relevant today as it was when it first started. I still watch it, but when it first started I was younger than they were. Now I am older than them. Time marches on. We will never forget Bea Arthur, and the part she played in our lives.
By Lizzie R. on 04/26/2009 10:40 pm
Ro H

I have admired Bea Arthur for years and years.  She always displayed such gumption and strength.  I imagine she was actually like that in ‘real life’ - at least I like to believe that.

I feel such a loss, and I didn’t even know her personally.  It just feels like it, because of how much her acting impacted me.

Rest peacefully, Bea.  Namaste, Shalom, Peace and Love…

By Ro H on 04/26/2009 10:53 pm
deber B

I have always admired Bea Arthur!   When I have an opportunity to watch The Golden Girls, I find that it always makes me laugh.   I’m glad to lived a long life!  

When she got her facelift I thought she was one of the few who looked 100% better afterwards.    She will be missed.

By deber B on 04/27/2009 5:49 am
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