R.I.P. To A Class Act: BEATRICE “Bea” ARTHUR
May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009
Beatrice Arthur, 86, star of two iconic television series, died peacefully Saturday, April 25th. Beatrice won Emmy Awards for her role in the ’70’s television series Maude and also for her role as Dorothy in the ’80’s series The Golden Girls.
Known for her height, baritone voice and dry comedic delivery, Beatrice started her career in television as an actress in her 50s after performing on Off-Broadway and Broadway productions since the ’40’s. Beatrice also won a Tony Award for supporting actress in the musical Mame. In 1971, Norman Lear created the role of Maude, an outspoken and liberal-minded cousin of Edith Bunker’s character. Maude’s sparring with Archie Bunker was so popular a spin off show was created, debuting in 1972.
Arthur was cast in the hit sitcom The Golden Girls in 1985, in which she played Dorothy Zbornak , a divorced substitute teacher living in a Miami house owned by Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan). Her other roommates included widow Rose Nylund (Betty White) and Dorothy’s Sicilian mother, Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Goody). Getty was actually a year younger than Arthur in real life, and was heavily made up to look significantly older. Arthur’s character, Dorothy, had a caustic sense of humor and was prone to making witty and sarcastic wisecracks. Golden Girls was a huge hit, remaining a top ten ratings fixture for six seasons. Her performance led to several Emmy nominations over the course of the series and an Emmy win in 1988.
During more recent years, she made television appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Malcolm in the Middle. Beatrice is survived by two sons and two granddaughters.
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