Bea Arthur

Rue McClanahan Dies at 76

June 3, 2010 By Holly Stafford 6 Comments

Whenever we lose an icon it’s a sad day, but when that legend in question was one of the most beloved TV stars it’s even harder to swallow. It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of one of our beloved “Golden Girls” Rue McClanahan, most famous for playing Blanche Deveraux.

Per People:

“She passed away at 1 a.m. this morning,” her manager, Barbara Lawrence, tells PEOPLE. She had a massive stroke.”

McClanahan, who at seventy-six years old was one of two surviving Golden Girls actresses along with Betty White (Bea Arthur died last year and Estelle Getty died in 2008) suffered a minor stroke earlier this year while recovering from bypass surgery. PEOPLE also reports that her family was by her side when she passed this morning and “went in peace.”

Per Hollywood Life:

“Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasured our relationship. It hurts more then I ever thought it would, if that’s possible,” says Betty White.

Rue McClanahan, Dennis Hopper, & Gary Coleman. Really, 3 seats to one of the best poker tables ever. Our condolences and deepest sympathy to her family and friends during this incredibly sad time. As always, thank you for being a friend Rue.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Health, Celebrity Loss, Television Tagged With: Bea Arthur, betty White, Dennis Hopper, Estelle Getty, Gary Coleman, Golden Girls, Rue McClanahan, rue mcclanahan death, Rue McClanahan Dies, Rue McClanahan Dies at 76, Rue McClanahan Passes Away

Bea Arthur’s Posthumous PETA Ad Stirs Controversy

April 22, 2010 By Crista Webster 1 Comment

Listen! You hear that? It’s Bea Arthur yelling at us from beyond the grave! Really, we should be so lucky.

Peta released a new ad today featuring the famous ‘Golden Girl’ and her trademark sneer, speaking out against the McDonald’s corporation’s treatment of chickens.

Via Popeater:

Dan Matthews, a PETA vice president, told the New York Times that he consulted with Matt Saks, Arthur’s son, “who especially liked that the copy was in Bea’s irreverent voice.”

I heart Bea. I would do whatever she told me to do. I would dress like a chicken if that’s what she ordered. However, I can’t help but find this ad a little on the creepy side.

Filed Under: Celebrity Loss, WTF?!? Tagged With: Bea Arthur, Bea Arthur Ad, Bea Arthur Ad Scandal, Bea Arthur Peta, Bea Arthur Peta Ad, Bea Arthur Peta Ad Scandal

Bea Arthur’s Legacy Lives On

October 30, 2009 By Crista Webster 1 Comment

Bea Arthur is love. Bea Arthur is amazing. Bea Arthur is unforgettable.

The late, great, irreplaceable Bea Arthur was not only brilliant and funny, but unbelievably kind.

In the late actress’ will, Arthur left $300,000 to New York’s Ali Forney Center, which specializes in housing Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual youth who find themselves homeless after revealing to their families who they are.

The center’s director, Carl Siciliano, knew that Arthur planned to leave a monetary donation to the center, which she also rasied finds for with a revival of her one woman Broadway show in 2005, but had no idea the amount would be so great.

Via CNN:

“For months, I’ve been really sweating to make each payroll, and we’re usually a month or two behind on our rent, and there have been times when I was afraid that I wasn’t going to hold it together,” he said. “That kind of terror of [trying to] keep this thing going has come to an end for now with this extraordinary generosity.”

Part of the $300,000 will be used to purchase a new residence to house 12 youths affected by displacement. Siciliano has stated that the home will, naturally, be named for Bea.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Loss Tagged With: Bea Arthur, Bea Arthur Dead, Bea Arthur Donation, Bea Arthur Monetary donation, Bea Arthur Wiki, Beat Arthur Youth, Carl Siciliano, New York's Ali Forney Center

Bea Arthur’s Final Interview-Video

October 15, 2009 By Crista Webster Leave a Comment

Last night, while watching my second favorite episode of “The Golden Girls,” I was overcome by grief.

As I watched my beloved and fierce Bea Arthur belt out, ‘What’ll I Do?’ in am impromptu session at the ‘Rusty Anchor,’ I realized that I will never get to see Bea Arthur perform live. And this kittens, is my one regret in life.

You may remember Bea from ‘The Golden Girls,’ but I also remember her outspoken nature on both ‘All in the Family’ and later ‘Maude’ (which I own on DVD–thanks Mom and Dad!). She was a true pioneer in her craft and would cut a bitch if she needed to. She was my hero.

And now we are graced with what is believed to be Bea Arthur’s final interview compliments of her personal assistant who was with Ms. Arthur for over six years. This was her last interview done with the Merv Griffin produced series, “Lunching with a Legend.” Her interview is one a several others including her co-star, Betty White, Phillis Diller, Carol Channing and Bea. The site for the series is still under construction as is the last interview with the woman who brought Dorothy Zbornak to life. It is due to be aired upon completion of the series.

It goes without saying that there will never be another Bea.

“Now this goes to the grave with you – I hate cheesecake!” -Bea Arthur

Also, I need to take this moment to thank one of our FAVORITE readers, Stephen, for sending us the link to this video. You definitely have a place in our “Bea Arthur was the Queen B” club.

Filed Under: Television, Videos Tagged With: Bea Arthur, betty White, Carol Channing and Bea, Final Interview, Lunching with Legends, Merv Griffin, Phillis Diller

Rue McClanahan Rips the Ladies of Sex and the City

September 22, 2009 By Crista Webster 3 Comments

If you know me, you know that my love for the ‘Golden Girls’ is undying. You can bring along any show you like, feature all the hot female actresses you want, and it won’t hold a candle to Bea, Betty, Estelle, and Rue.

And I am not alone.

Golden Girl Rue MacCalanahan was papped yesterday at New York’s LaGuardia airport and she had some not-so-nice things to say about Kim Catrall and company when one of the photogs compared the original ladies to the ‘Sex and the City ‘girls.

Via TMZ:

“Don’t even mention them” — and adding the GGs are on another level because “Our humor is much better than that.”

In other words, stop trying to fix what was never broken. The ‘Golden Girls’ continues to run in syndication. Check your local listings…I watch it for about 3 hours everyday.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Quotes, Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City Tagged With: Bea Arthur, betty White, Estelle Getty, Golden Girls, Golden Girls Sex and the City Comparison, Kim Catrall, Rue MacLanahan Golden Girls, Rue MacLanahan Rips Sex and the City, Rue MacLanahan Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City

Bea Arthur Remembered

September 15, 2009 By Crista Webster 1 Comment

2009 has been a bitch of a year. We have lost many, many talented (and not so talented) celebs and icons.

Though you may scream Michael Jackson was the greatest loss of ’09, I beg to differ. For me, there was no loss as great-and likely never will be-as the loss of Beatrice Arthur.

Bea Arthur was more than a ‘Golden Girl’. She was a true icon, an envelope pusher, a comedic-genius in a world dominated by men. She was a force.

And last night, hundreds gathered at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre to honor the late Bea Arthur in the most fitting way possible: By telling stories using dirty words.

The best story of the night undoubtedly came from fellow ‘Golden Girl,’ Rue MacClanahan who told the packed theater about the time Bea invited her and her husband, Morrow Wilson, to the opening of her one woman broadway show.

Via People:

“McClanahan said an intoxicated Bea told Wilson when he introduced himself to her, “Rue, I love.” But when McClanahan quoted Arthur’s description of another costar on Golden Girls (‘Betty’s a c—’), an audible gasp ricocheted through the crowd – before it erupted into the longest and heartiest laugh of the afternoon.”

Only Bea Arthur could call Betty White teh dreaded “C” word and get away with it.

She was THE BEST!

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Loss, Celebrity Quotes Tagged With: Bea Arthur, Bea Arthur Tribute, Golden Girls, Majestic Theater, Rue MacClanahan

Bea Arthur Passes Away at 86

April 26, 2009 By Crista Webster 3 Comments

It is with a heavy heart that we here at Hollywood Dame announce the passing of beloved funny-woman Bea Arthur. Bea passed away Saturday morning at her home is Los Angeles surrounded by her family. She was 86.

If you spend a lot of time here at Hollywood Dame (and you should), then you have no doubt read on my bio page that Bea Arthur is one of my favorite celebrities. She was a comedic genius and one hell of a lady.

Bea’s career as an actress began off Broadway in the 1950’s. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when she earned a guest spot as Edith Bunker’s liberal cousin on the show ‘All in the Family’ that Bea’s television presence became known. She was offered her own show ‘Maude’, which was a spin-off of ‘All in the Family’.

‘Maude’ was a popular show and even earned Bea an Emmy Award in 1977. The show was a comedy, but pushed the envelope with serious and controversial storylines such as Maude’s decision to have an abortion and her husband Walter’s alcoholism.

In the 1980’s Bea joined fellow funny-ladies Rue MacClanahan, Betty White, and the late Estelle Getty on the beloved show ‘The Golden Girls.’ She played substitute teacher, and constantly harassed daughter of Sofia, Dorothy Zbornak. I still remember waiting every Saturday night for “the girls” to come on. It was my favorite show and Bea was by far my favorite character. I still watch ‘The Golden Girls’ religiously today and, though I have seen every episode a dozen or more times, I still manage to laugh at every joke.

When asked once how she felt about being type-cast into roles Bea replied:

“Look — I’m 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can’t stay home waiting for something different. I think it’s a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting.”

That’s why I heart Bea Arthur. She knew who she was and never once attempted to change for anyone.

Jerry Herman, who worked as the composer for Arthur’s Tony Award winning performance in the musical, ‘Mame’, had this to say about Bea via the Associated Press:

“There was no one else like Bea. She would make us laugh during `Mame’ rehearsals with a look or with a word. She didn’t need dialogue. I don’t know if I can say that about any other person I ever worked with.”

That’s simple Jerry: you can’t. No one can. The world is a little less funny today.

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