Rue McClanahan
Birthday: 1934-02-21 | Place of Birth: Healdton, Oklahoma, USAA veteran television actress and Broadway star of the 50s, Rue McClanahan was an actress noticed by television executive, Norman Lear. Lear cast her in a number of television shows, including "All in the Family" (1971) with 'Carroll OConnor' and "Maude" (1972) with Bea Arthur. McClanahan next co-starred with Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Betty White and Carol Burnett in "Mama's Family" (1983) for three years, and after it was canceled by NBC, McClanahan was probably best known for her role as the saucy, sharp southern belle, Blanche, in "The Golden Girls" (1985). She once again worked with Bea Arthur and Betty White, and with relative newcomer Estelle Getty. All four of the women won Emmy Awards for their roles. After Bea Arthur left the show after eight seasons, McClanahan, White and Getty returned for a brief spin-off in "The Golden Palace" (1992). In the mid-nineties, McClanahan was diagnosed with cancer, but was able to fight it successfully. In addition to lending her talents to a number of made for TV films, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen in recent years co-starring with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and with Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers (1997). McClanahan also spends her time joining and helping organizations against cancer, AIDS, and cruelty against animals.
Known For
Acting
Role
as Blanche Devereaux
as Kay
as Katherine Mannion
as Nancy Stringer
as Grandma Loring
as Edna Callahan
as Mother Superior
as Biology Teacher
as Mrs. Ellen Carruthers
as Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
as Blanche Devereaux
as Matilda Electa Joslyn Gage
as Suzy Blair
as Frances Dutton
as Blanche Devereaux
as Ginger-Nell Hollyhock
as Ginger-Nell Hollyhock
as Mat's Mother
as Gail
as Vivian Harmon
as Daisy Playfair
as Lita Joyce
as Sandy
