RSSAnother Golden Girl has Passed Away … Rue McClanahan Dead at the Age of 76
Rue McClanahan, another one of the “Golden Girls” has passed away at the age of 76 from a massive stroke. She was best know to all for playing Blanche Devereaux on the 80′s sitcom, The Golden Girls. Rue McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke earlier this year after recovering from bypass surgery. She passed away with her family at her side … rest in peace Blanche Devereaux.
Born in Healdton, Okla., Rue lived in six towns by the time she was 8. Her father was a road builder who moved from one project to another. She found solace in acting (“the only thing I ever wanted to do”) and after four years at the University of Tulsa moved to New York, where she worked as a part-time file clerk while trying to find jobs in the theater.
Her first job was off Broadway, in 1957, and she finally hit Broadway in 1969. TV work came from soap operas, until she made it on CBS’s Maude, starring Beatrice Arthur, starting in 1972. She played Maude’s best friend Vivian.
But it was Golden Girls that put her on the map and led to fame, fortune – and several husbands. In all, she had six, including actor Morrow Wilson, whom she wed in 1997 and who survives her, as does a son, Mark Bish, from her first marriage.
Sadly we have lost Golden Girl’s Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty
No Sheeple Here says it best … “Thank you for being a Blanche”.
Rest in Peace and God bless.
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3 Responses to “Another Golden Girl has Passed Away … Rue McClanahan Dead at the Age of 76”
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I absolutely loved Rue. Whoever chose the cast for the Golden Girls, couldn’t have picked 4 better people to play their parts. I own the DVD’s of this show and watch them on cable still.
The writer of that show was excellent! It is so sad they are all gone now but Betty White. She was the oldest of all of them. Watched this show every week when it first came out. Had a neighbor guy in his 60s, who loved the show would come over and watch. Heard Betty White say this hit her really hard.
God Bless you Rue.. I miss you all and your comedy. Thank you for being a friend! My only regret is they didn’t do more of them. Gone way too soon!!!
Blanche said everything we wanted to say. Rue fit the role to a T. RIP, I bet a harem of cabana boys met you at the pearly gates!
lol Miss U.. I bet you are right about the cabana boys. She did indeed fit the roll to a T.
Originally, Betty White was tapped to play Blanche Deveraux, the man-crazy Southern belle, while co-star Rue McClanahan was set to play Rose Nylund, the wholesome but somewhat illogical farmer’s daughter from St. Olaf, Minnesota. But during rehearsals, a director asked the two actresses to switch parts. The strategy worked.