“The Golden Girls” and “Maude” died early this morning of cancer

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 4/25/09 — Beatrice Arthur, the sharp-witted actress best known for her work on “The Golden Girls” and “Maude” died early this morning of cancer, family spokesperson Dan Watt said, and declined to give further details. She was 86.
An iconoclast, Arthur’s roles on stage and television shared a common thread. They helped to raise women’s profile in society during an era when doing so was a career risk.
Rue McClanahan who played Blanche Devereaux on “The Golden Girls” issued the following statement about Bea’s passing, “37 years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy. I’ll miss that courage and I’ll miss that voice.”
In 1972, after making waves as the liberal cousin of blue-collar Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), CBS executives took note of the “new girl,” offering Bea Arthur her own show. Hardly a novice, Arthur was 50, had won a Tony Award, and had in her words, “done so much off-Broadway, on Broadway, but they said, `Who is that girl?’” “Maude” was a hit and Arthur won an Emmy for her outstanding performance in 1977.
“She was an incredible actress and a woman I will miss, and I think everyone else will,” said Bud Yorkin, producer of “Maude” with partner Lear.
“The Golden Girls” was another surprise success for Arthur, running from 1985-1992. The comedy series, about three retirees who share a Miami apartment, struck a chord and was a hit even among a youth and consumer-centered television landscape.
A similar character to Maude, Arthur played Dorothy, the smart and sometimes caustic daughter to Estelle Getty. Unconcerned about the two characters being too much alike, Arthur told an interviewer at the time, “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.”
Arthur won her second Emmy for her role on “The Golden Girls” and the show won 10 in its long run.
In 2008, Arthur was inducted in the TV Academy Hall of Fame.
Arthur is survived by her sister, sons and two granddaughters. No funeral services are planned.
From:www.hollywoodtoday.net