And then there were two.Golden Girls star Bea Arthur died this morning in Los Angeles. She was 86. This is actually a bit of a shock. Not that 86 is young, but she always seemed healthy and spry, even in the last few years, doing her stage show and guest starring on various TV shows and endless specials.
The other day I listed my favorite TV shows of all-time, and I really should have included The Golden Girls on that list. This was a consistently funny, clever, entertaining sitcom. A classic, really, spawning a lot of great one-liners and situations. It was also a breeding ground for some writers and producers who would become famous for other projects later, including Marc Cherry and Mitchell Hurwitz (as well as many veteran writers and directors). It's still a very special show to me. I used to find myself up at 1AM watching several episodes on Lifetime.
Besides The Golden Girls, Arthur starred in Maude (a spinoff after appearing as the character on All in the Family), Dave's World, Studio One, Kraft Television Theatre, Caeser's Hour, and Great Performances. She also had a memorable guest role on Malcolm in the Middle as Dewey's babysitter.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-25-2009 @ 5:02PM
Stacie23 said...
I haven't watched a Golden Girls episode in years, and last night there was nothing on TV and I came across The Golden Girls on the Hallmark Channel at 1 or 2 in the morning and I watched like 3 episodes in a row. I still had a laugh after all these years. Very eery timing though. My condolences go out to Bea's family and friends.
http://bsfactor.podbean.com
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4-25-2009 @ 6:27PM
jimmers said...
........And then there's MAUDE-no more, what a loss to Hollywood and the world. I loved Bea, and curling up with my granny watching her on t.v. when i was younger. Bea Arthur brought me and my granny closer, i am forever grateful.R.I.P. Bea, keep'em laughing wherever you are...luv ya
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4-25-2009 @ 6:38PM
KUM2QUAT said...
I ABSOLUTELY ALWAYS WATCH "GOLDEN GIRLS" LATE AT NIGHT. TIRED FOR WORK IN THE MORNING BUT I JUST ALWAYS LAUGH AT THAT SHOW. SO SAD. BEA ARTHUR WAS SO FUNNY IN THAT SHOW. SHE WILL BE MISSED.
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4-26-2009 @ 5:23PM
MaryMRevis said...
Dear sweet lady..you are a grand Dame and will be missed!. God bless & rest in peace.
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4-25-2009 @ 7:42PM
Kevin Doyle said...
I just have to say that Bea always made me laugh no matter what show I was watching her on. Itis sad to hear of her passing. There is no one like her. My sympathy to her family. Kevin and family
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4-25-2009 @ 8:17PM
Norma Jean said...
So sad hearing Bea is no longer here as she entertained me along with millions over many years and even influenced our thinking at times...Was always hoping the Golden Girls would have brightened up many ladies lives with promoting the beautiful fashions at least the three always wore at a time when not much was designed for women...mostly for thin model like waifs and models...believe it or not most women don't fit that mold and with now Betty and Rue remaining perhaps one of them will influence better ladies fashions...My deepest sympathy to Bea Arthurs family and many fans throut the world....Norma Jean from Tennessee
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4-25-2009 @ 10:50PM
s said...
bea will be missed very much i am 41 and grew up watching her on tv she was a great actress
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4-25-2009 @ 11:59PM
Art said...
Let us not frogget she was also a United States Marine, WWII.
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4-26-2009 @ 12:14AM
craig said...
Thank you for being a friend Bea. Thank you for the fun the laughs and the memorys you have left us all.Thanks for the biggest gift of all you.
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4-26-2009 @ 1:02AM
Jo Campbell said...
The Golden Girls is my all time favorite tv show...I've been watching for years, I never tire of seeing the hilarious episodes over and over. When the show disappeared from Lifetime, it re-appeared on We and Hallmark...Yeah! Bea will be missed, rest in peace, tall, graceful and oh so funny one.
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4-26-2009 @ 1:49AM
Fred L said...
ou will dearly be missed I want the Golden girls every night.
Rest in Peace
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4-26-2009 @ 2:39AM
DapperDan said...
Rest in Heavenly Peace Bea - loved her as Dorothy on the Golden Girls but loved her even more as Maude on Maude. Thank god for re-runs and DVD's
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4-26-2009 @ 2:53AM
pumpkinhead said...
No one could deliver a line better.
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4-26-2009 @ 5:36AM
DapperDan said...
Bea Arthur as Maude
my favourite Maude episode The Case Of The Broken Punch Bowl season 4 episode 15 from 1976
wait until you find out who really broke it and how LMAO still
PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nei1TOX-0Q8
PART 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eaf-u0YZPQ&feature=related
PART 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTrfBV6iuNY&feature=related
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4-27-2009 @ 12:55AM
Scott said...
I've seen every episode of Golden Girls at least one hundred times, thanks to Lifetime Television. One of the smartest, wittiest, funniest show on television, and Bea Arthur was always right-on, in every scene. Her timing, her delivery, and her physical sense of comedy were unparalleled. God, this is so sad that she's gone. The world has lost a great, great comedienne. We miss you already, Bea!!!!
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4-26-2009 @ 4:55PM
Billie Courtright said...
I was a piano bar entertainer in Laguna Beach, CA. Bea used to come in and down a few dozen drinks. She was always very kind and sweet. She was a great audience, and I loved talking to her. I can't repeat her comments about Zero Mostel here, but I'll never forget them! Rest in peace, old gal. You will be missed.
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4-27-2009 @ 8:24AM
Jocelyn said...
I was a child when the Golden Girls was on television but it was the show that my grandmother and I would always watch together. We would decide which one of the girls we and her friends were. It was my favorite half hour of television because it meant laughing with my grandmother who also died from cancer even in her last days we watched that show together. I am so grateful for all the laughs we shared even when she was so sick. My grandmother always related to Dorothy. My heart goes out to her family who are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much Ms. Arthur for bringing laughter to my home and fond memories so many years later.
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4-27-2009 @ 10:30AM
Sapphire said...
When I came across this my heart sunk. I looove the Golden Girls and Bea's character, Dorothy, was my favorite. I always thought she was a part of me (I am just as sarcastic as I want to be). I will miss knowing she's no longer here on Earth with us, but at least I can still see her time and time again on television. Rest In Peace!
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4-27-2009 @ 3:25PM
AK said...
Check out this Golden Girls shirt!
http://thenamesbrand.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=439&golden%20girls
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4-28-2009 @ 11:46AM
Will said...
Good night, Bea. Thanks for the laughs.
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