Beatrice Arthur 1922 - 2009
Cultural icon, comedic actress and two-time Emmy award winner, Bea Arthur passed away at the age of 86 this past Saturday after battling cancer. The actress, best known for her roles in the two hit sitcoms she starred in "Maude" and "Golden Girls" is remembered for her quick wit and impressive height of 5'9".
Arthur, who starred in the hit show Maude from 1972-1978 impressed audiences so much playing Edith Bunker's lefty cousin on "All In The Family" that she was offered to star in a spin-off which became the popular serial for the actress. Throughout her career Arthur combined her real-life political interests with her on-screen characters making the two fairly indistinguishable. She brought many taboo issues like divorce, domestic abuse and abortion to mainstream audiences.
Then in the 80's, with the hit show "Golden Girls"(1985 - 1992) Arthur and fellow actresses Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, made getting older seem a lot more interesting by presenting topics which related to "senior living" often ignored by mainstream culture, such as dating, sex, menopause and death. The show became something of a cult classic and is still in syndication, with it recently being picked up by the Hallmark Channel.
Bea, because of her stature and low voice was often the subject of not-so-sweet ribbing, but seemed to take it in stride, a true testament to her good nature. She will be missed by many. RIP.
