1922-2009 – Bea Arthur Dies At 86 – RIP

People magazine reported Saturday afternoon that Bea Arthur had died peacefully in her sleep.  The actress had been suffering from cancer for some time.  Arthur was best known for role as Dorothy Zbornak in the hit 80’s TV sitcom, The Golden Girls. She shared the spotlight equally with her costars Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty who died last July.

Arthur made her television debut where she played Maude on the ‘70’s series by the same name.  Maude was a spn-off of the popular All in the Family sitcom featuring the character Archie Bunker played by the late Carroll O’Connor.  Archie Bunker was an ultra conservative anti-everything-liberal including his wife’s liberal cousin Maude.

Prior to her television success Bea Arthur hit Broadway with a bang as the original matchmaker on Fiddler on the Roof as well as the as her hard edged alcohol prone role in Maime.

Golden Girls was Arthur’s most successful and remembered work.  The show continues to air across the world and is an inspiration to many for its boldness and taking on topics of the time that other shows were afraid to touch.  The real magic of the show’s reach was it’s ability to grasp all generations and bring them into its unique fold.

Golden Girls costar Betty White – "Bea was such an important part of a very happy time in my life and I have dearly loved her for a very long time," White said in a statement Saturday. "How lucky I was to know her."

Arthur was a tall woman with a large frame and a deep voice.  She stood out from her peers both on stage and in her off-stage life.  But it was this character and persona that made her unique and the success that was to come for this outstanding actress.

Bea Arthur – "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."

Bea Arthur – “I suddenly realized that comedy, for me, was just being honest, and playing it for real. I’ve seen so many wonderful actors who turn into creatures from another planet when they’re told they are supposed to be playing comedy.”

As an animal lover she was a strong advocate for the animal rights foundation, PETA.  The foundation named her as an Honorary Director.  She joined PETA in 1987, when the Golden Girls did an anti-fur episode.  Her relatives are asking that donations be made to the foundation instead of flowers in memory of the late actress. 

Bea Arthur – "Keep fighting for animals by making compassionate, cruelty-free choices every day and encouraging those around you to do the same. "

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