Bea Arthur Passes Away At 86
I’m on a plane bound for Chicago, IL but just learned that Golden Girl Bea Arthur has passed away at the age of 86. Sadly, she is the second GG to pass away after Estelle Getty passed away last year. I am terribly upset at this news, she will be sorely missed. Rest well, Bea. I will update with more info when I can. So sad :(
UPDATE: My plane is wifi-enabled so I am able to update this post with further information, here is the moving obituary/report from the Associated Press:
Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows “Maude” and “The Golden Girls” and who won a Tony Award for the musical “Mame,” died Saturday. She was 86. Arthur died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, family spokesman Dan Watt said. She had cancer, Watt said, declining to give further details. “She was a brilliant and witty woman,” said Watt, who was Arthur’s personal assistant for six years. “Bea will always have a special place in my heart.” Arthur first appeared in the landmark comedy series “All in the Family” as Edith Bunker’s loudly outspoken, liberal cousin, Maude Finley. She proved a perfect foil for blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), and their blistering exchanges were so entertaining that producer Norman Lear fashioned Arthur’s own series. In a 2008 interview with The Associated Press, Arthur said she was lucky to be discovered by TV after a long stage career, recalling with bemusement CBS executives asking about the new “girl.” “I was already 50 years old. I had done so much off-Broadway, on Broadway, but they said, `Who is that girl? Let’s give her her own series,’” Arthur said. “Maude” scored with television viewers immediately on its CBS debut in September 1972, and Arthur won an Emmy Award for the role in 1977. The comedy flowed from Maude’s efforts to cast off the traditional restraints that women faced, but the series often had a serious base. Her husband Walter (Bill Macy) became an alcoholic, and she underwent an abortion, which drew a torrent of viewer protests. Maude became a standard bearer for the growing feminist movement in America. The ratings of “Maude” in the early years approached those of its parent, “All in the Family,” but by 1977 the audience started to dwindle. A major format change was planned, but in early 1978 Arthur announced she was quitting the show. “It’s been absolutely glorious; I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said. “But it’s been six years, and I think it’s time to leave.” “Golden Girls” (1985-1992) was another groundbreaking comedy, finding surprising success in a television market increasingly skewed toward a younger, product-buying audience. The series concerned three retirees — Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan — and the mother of Arthur’s character, Estelle Getty, who lived together in a Miami apartment. In contrast to the violent “Miami Vice,” the comedy was nicknamed “Miami Nice.” As Dorothy Zbornak, Arthur seemed as caustic and domineering as Maude. She was unconcerned about the similarity of the two roles. “Look — I’m 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line,” she told an interviewer. “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.” The interplay among the four women and their relations with men fueled the comedy, and the show amassed a big audience and 10 Emmys, including two as best comedy series and individual awards for each of the stars. In 1992, Arthur announced she was leaving “Golden Girls.” The three other stars returned in “The Golden Palace,” but it lasted only one season. Arthur was born Bernice Frankel in New York City in 1922. When she was 11, her family moved to Cambridge, Md., where her father opened a clothing store. At 12 she had grown to full height, and she dreamed of being a petite blond movie star like June Allyson. There was one advantage of being tall and deep-voiced: She was chosen for the male roles in school plays. Bernice — she hated the name and adopted her mother’s nickname of Bea — overcame shyness about her size by winning over her classmates with wisecracks. She was elected the wittiest girl in her class. After two years at a junior college in Virginia, she earned a degree as a medical lab technician, but she “loathed” doing lab work at a hospital. Acting held more appeal, and she enrolled in a drama course at the New School of Social Research in New York City. To support herself, she sang in a night spot that required her to push drinks on customers. During this time she had a brief marriage that provided her stage name of Beatrice Arthur. In 1950, she married again, to Broadway actor and future Tony-winning director Gene Saks. After a few years in off-Broadway and stock company plays and television dramas, Arthur’s career gathered momentum with her role as Lucy Brown in the 1955 production of “The Threepenny Opera.” In 2008, when Arthur was inducted in the TV Academy Hall of Fame, Arthur pointed to the role as the highlight of her long career. “A lot of that had to do with the fact that I felt, `Ah, yes, I belong here,’” Arthur said.
Words cannot express my sadness at hearing this news. Bea Arthur was truly a legendary actress of stage and screen and will forever be remembered as an icon of her time. She was very truly a special woman and she will be sorely missed. May flights of angels wing you on your way, dear Bea — you are loved and will be forever missed.
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April 25th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo RIP:’(
April 25th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I just gasped out loud when I read this! This is so sad. I love Bea Arthur. She obviously was great on Golden Girls but could hold her on on other shows and appearances as well. I thought she was great at the comedy central roast of Pamela Anderason. She will be missed.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
That is soooo sad! :(
April 25th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I just found out and I’m so upset. I want to cry! She was such a classy lady. :(
I’m definitely marathoning my Golden Girls DVDs today.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I’m SO SAD.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I too cried out when I read the headline. I was more prepared for Estelle’s death because I had heard about her failing health for so long. This comes completely out of the blue for me! I will always remember watching GG with my Granny and Dorothy always made her laugh out loud to the point where she was crying. So sad….
April 25th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I honestly gasped when I heard this, I love Bea, I am so sad to hear of her passing.
April 25th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Sad. I love all the Golden Girls so much.
April 25th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I’m so sad. I adore Bea Arthur and she will be missed. What a talented, funny, classy woman.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I am devastated. Just devastated. Devastated is the only word to describe how DEVASTATED I am. Truly. RIP, dear Bea. Thank you for being a friend. *sniff* :(
April 25th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
She’s my favorite Golden Girl :( Her being such a funny woman, I’m really sad about this.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
awww, so sad. such a great lady…
April 25th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I had no idea that Bea was sick. I always thought she was a funny lady. She’s probably up in heaven and making everyone laugh already! Bea you will be missed!
April 25th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Ive got to say…I actually started to cry a little when I found out. I loved the Golden Girls and even watched Maude when I was young. Its amazing how people you do not know influence your life. Hope she has peace…
April 25th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
OMG! I didn’t even know she was sick! That’s so horrible, I think she was an amazing woman. :(
April 25th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I didn’t know she had cancer. Damn, man…I’ve been watching and re-watching my Golden Girls dvds since last week, so wow…I’m just in shock. :( RIP Bea! Thank you for the memories…
April 25th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Good night Pussy Cat ..say hello to Ma for us
April 25th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
this is definately a tragedy.. RIP Bea you will be missed!
April 25th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
This is just the most HORRIBLE news ever!! Bea was such a wonderful, talented, amazing, person and she will be missed in all of our minds and hearts. She has done so many great things for so many great causes, and her impact in film and as an activist will be felt for years to come..She touched my life in so many ways, and I will never forget the bond that was formed between my mother and I watching the Golden Girls, and all the laughs and tears the show has brought our family. Today I will take a moment to remember you Bea, and all that you have done for us. Rest in Peace.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
RIP. So sad.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I was just watching Golden Girls last night! This is so upsetting! RIP Bea! You will be truly missed.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I was completely devastated at the loss of Estelle Getty and the loss of Bea Arthur is equally tragic. I watch the Golden Girls a few times a day and they have definitely been a huge part of my life growing up. Her comedic wit and timing are unparalleled…she was a comedic genius. I will think fondly of her life every time I watch the Golden Girls…especially tonight. Rest in Peace Bea, and thank you for the amazing legacy you have left on earth.
April 25th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
i cried so hard when i came home and read this.. Bea was so amazingly talented, and as much as i equally love all the characters on golden girls (my absolute favorite show), Bea’s brilliant one liners pulled the show together. I almost feel like i am losing an old friend, =( r.i.p Bea; and thank you for all the years of laughter.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I was having the worst day already. I had to watch some GG for sure tonight. Such sad news.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
What an extraordinarily gifted and wonderful woman. She will be missed. Thank you for being a friend Bea!
April 25th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I feel like I’ve lost a family member. I had no idea how much she accomplished until I read that.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Terribly sad. She’s up in heaven with Ma now. Rest in Peace Bea.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Lift your glasses (or slices of cheese cake) to Bea Arthur, Pink fans!
April 25th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I just found out and I’m shocked and saddened by this news :( Didn’t even know she had cancer. We’ve lost a true television icon. Rest in peace Bea…
April 25th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
My stomach dropped when I read this..I knew she was getting on in years, but had no idea she was sick so this is just a total shock! So effing sad..
April 25th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
This is one of those dreaded days that we knew would come. It just sucks. She was getting older and becoming even more entertaining with age. I was impressed with her energy to keep providing for her fans over the past few years when she could have stopped were it not for her love of entertaining, advocating, strengthening, and being a confident role model. She will always be timeless to me, but the emptiness I expected is certainly being felt.
April 26th, 2009 at 12:46 am
I’ve just realized that ONE HALF of THE GOLDEN GIRLS are gone now, & it makes watching the show more precious than ever before.
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Even though she lived a long & wonderful life, her passing is indeed a shock to me & saddens me greatly. I’ve been a fan of hers from her “Maude” days to the “Golden Girls”… No matter what, I always knew if I watched her perform, I was guaranteed to laugh out loud.
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My sincere condolences to her family & friends over her loss; she will be missed.
April 26th, 2009 at 11:51 am
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30417369#30417369 Rue discusses Bea’s passing…sooo sad. :(