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Rue McClanahan dies at 76
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Her rep notes that at the time of her death, McClanahan "had her family with her," saying, "She went in peace."
Though McClanahan will best be remembered for her "Golden Girls" portrayal of Blanche Devereaux, she enjoyed a 50-year television career that included standout roles in "Maude," "The Love Boat," and most recently "Law & Order" and Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns."
Born in Healdton, Okla., McClanahan attended the University of Tulsa before moving to New York City where she worked as a file clerk before finding success in the theater. She was a life-long animal welfare advocate and vegetarian and supported PETA.
McClanahan's death leaves Betty White as the only surviving regular cast member of "The Golden Girls," after Bea Arthur's death in 2009 and Estelle Getty's death in 2008. On a press call with Zap2it in late April, Betty spoke of her good friend and former castmate. "Oh Ruesy. We talk about every, oh maybe three, four weeks. She lives in New York of course. And she had a bum go."
"She had a triple bypass and then had a stroke. And she's just doing fine. I talked with her. She's home and doing better and better and speech is all cleared up. She's in great shape. Isn't that good news?"
[Update: Betty White issues statement to Zap2it: "It hurts more than I even thought it would, if that's possible."]
McClanahan is survived by her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, and her son Mark Bish.
In her 2007 book "My First Five Husbands... and The One That Got Away," McClanahan wrote, "People always ask me if I'm like Blanche. And I say, 'Well, Blanche was an oversexed, self-involved, man-crazy, vain Southern Belle from Atlanta -- and I'm not from Atlanta.'"
"She had a triple bypass and then had a stroke. And she's just doing fine. I talked with her. She's home and doing better and better and speech is all cleared up. She's in great shape. Isn't that good news?"
[Update: Betty White issues statement to Zap2it: "It hurts more than I even thought it would, if that's possible."]
McClanahan is survived by her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, and her son Mark Bish.
In her 2007 book "My First Five Husbands... and The One That Got Away," McClanahan wrote, "People always ask me if I'm like Blanche. And I say, 'Well, Blanche was an oversexed, self-involved, man-crazy, vain Southern Belle from Atlanta -- and I'm not from Atlanta.'"
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Photo Credit: Getty
Photo Credit: Getty
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God bless you, Rue. Thank you for being a friend.
Estelle in 2008, Bea in 2009 and now Rue in 2010. If this happens again next year, I may die. RIP Rue. Thanks for the laughs.
The Golden Girl Show always made me laugh when I was going through ****** cancer!! When I was sad and having a pitty party about my illness, all i would do is turn on the Golden Girls and they all made me laugh so hard..
Rue, Bea and Estel, please rest in peace.. You all (and betty) made me laugh and always made me happy..
you will all be missed so much..
love you all.. Anne Marie
ps. Betty, you and I are animal lovers.. you are so special to me..
YOU ARE ALL SO SPECIAL TO ME.. THANK YOU FOR THE LAUGHTER..
She will be missed.
Thanks for all the laughs Rue! RIP
God Bless You Rue and thanks for many hours of enjoyment you gave me from the Golden Girls they don't make comedy like your's anymore
I sit here and dont even know what to say. I remember and all the smiles Rue and the girls have brought to my life. I remember moving away from home and making a point to go out and buy the GG CD's so I could feel at home. Rue you will be missed and are very much loved. Rest in Peace.
May God have greeted you with open arms. The many years of laughter that you and all THE GOLDEN GIRLS have brought to millions of viewers we are truly grateful. You will be missed.
God Bless You
I've watched this show over and over again for the last 25 years! Some of my fondest memories are of watching and laughing to the Golden Girls with my Grandmother. We still watch it today. I've passed it down to my daughter. The laughter and joy that these women brought into my house, daily, will always be remembered. Rest in peace girls...
Another beloved Golden Girl.My kids used to sit and watch these ladies with me and never missed an episode,we still watch.RIP Rue,what a loss.