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Goodbye to a Golden Girl

insidesocal.com

She had already enjoyed success on the stage by the time she became an even bigger star in midlife, thanks to ground-breaking television roles in “Maude” and “The Golden Girls.” Following the news of her death on Saturday, Bea Arthur was remembered for her distinctive style, her talent and her game-changing performances on stage and screen.

Los Angeles Times:

Arthur first appeared on TV in the landmark comedy series All in the Family as Edith Bunker’s loudly outspoken, liberal cousin Maude Findlay.

In 1972, Arthur took that character to a spinoff series, Maude. Maude lived in an affluent community with her husband Walter (Bill Macy) and divorced daughter Carol (Adrienne Barbeau) .

The groundbreaking show touched on many taboo topics including abortion and sexuality.

Arthur’s role garnered several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, including her Emmy win in 1977 for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.

In a 2008 interview, Arthur said she was lucky to be discovered by TV after a long stage career.

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TAGS: bea arthur cancer emmy golden girls golden globe maude obituary theater tony

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By daytrip, April 28 at 3:54 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Dearest Bea: You forgot to say goodbye! You never mentioned you were leaving! I faithfully watched all your Golden Girl episodes all through some very single years, and always got that warm and fuzzy feeling that everything was ok when I heard that famous voice utter a slam-dunk witticism. Though all the characters were near and dear to me, you were the mainstay of all the times in life when humor is all we have to get us through. You are still alive for us, thanks to reruns of all the great and humorous women on stage and television. Ta Ta, My Dear

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By BruSays, April 28 at 3:01 pm #

I was fortunate to see her one-woman show in Los Angeles a few years ago. We were all impressed with her ability to “work” a live audience - so much so that she interrupted a story to say something like, “You’re surprised a can do this so well? Christ, for the first half of my career this is ALL I did. I’m at home up here. It was television that scared the shit out of me!”

So many of us wondered where this middle-age broad came from when she first appeared on “All In the Family,” not knowing till much later of her years and years on stage.

Hutzpah. She had it and I salute her life’s work.

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By Nomad, April 27 at 9:35 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Thank goodness for Bea Arthur and the Golden Girls, if not for shows like that and the People’s Court, etc. my summer’s as a junior higher would have been even more dismally dull

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By photoshock, April 26 at 12:53 pm #

The world has lost a great talent and an actual actress
activist.
Bea Arthur will be sorely missed by all those who have seen her work, and for those who haven’t, hopefully they will learn of her enormous talent and wit.
I am truly saddened at her loss, my condolences to her family and those who loved her most, family and fans alike.

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By Inherit The Wind, April 25 at 8:34 pm #

If anyone has ONE bad word to say about Bea Arthur, well….“God’ll get you for that!”

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By boggs, April 25 at 7:31 pm #

I always loved her character, her sacastic wit and will miss her talent.

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