Update
Golden TV Icon Bea Arthur Dies
Bea Arthur, the sharp-witted, husky-voiced punch-line machine whose career spanned two hugely influential sitcoms, Maude and Golden Girls, and one infamous Star Wars special, has died.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actress died of cancer Saturday morning in her Los Angeles home surrounded by her family, according to her rep. She was 86.
Arthur got her start on Broadway, winning her Tony award opposite Angela Lansbury in the original production of Mame.
She parlayed the stage success into a TV career, and she broke out when she appeared on All in the Family as Archie Bunker's no-nonsense sparring partner, Maude. Her recurring role proved so popular that she got her own spinoff. Using humor to tackle hot-button du jour issues like feminism and abortion, Maude ran on CBS from 1972 to 1978 and earned Arthur a Best Actress Emmy.
Arthur gamely sung, danced and wisecracked her way through the regrettable Star Wars Holiday Special before rebounding nicely with perhaps her greatest hit, The Golden Girls, alongside Betty White, Rue McClanahan and the late Estelle Getty, who died last July. The NBC sitcom ranked No. 1 in the Nielsens, running from 1985-1992 and earning Emmys for all four stars.
After the quick cancellation of the spinoff Golden Palace, Arthur still maintained a presence on the tube, appearing in guest roles on Malcolm in the Middle, Futurama and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Born Bernice Frankel ("Beatrice" was her preferred stage name), the actress married and divorced twice. Her first husband was screenwriter, producer and director Robert Alan Arthur. She was also married to director Gene Saks, with whom she adopted two sons: Matthew, 47, an actor, and Daniel, 44, a set designer.
(Originally published April 25, 2009, at 1 p.m. PT)
The Big Picture
All Growed Up Guess Zac has officially adopted the smoldering look, 'cause we haven't seen a smile in weeks
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (916)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (673)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Rob Flies Back to L.A. With Kristen (565)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (448)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (438)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (425)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (363)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
Top 10 Stories
- Dancing With the Stars: A New Winner Raises the Disco Ball
- J.Lo's Ex: There's "Maybe One Spanking," but I'm Not Selling a Sex Tape
- Nicole Richie Back in Her Own Bed
- GMA Doesn't Want Adam Lambert's Sloppy Seconds...Cue The Early Show!
- Goodbye or Good Riddance to Jon & Kate Plus 8?
- Oprah's Mom Settles Clothes Call Lawsuit
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
Fashion Police
Sloppy SuitingGwyneth dares to experiment with hard-to-wear satin, but the result is dull and unpolished
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
167 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 167 comments
Now loading...