Bea Arthur dies at 86

[coop85]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 3:47pm

Just saw this reported from the AP. I usually lurk, but saw nobody posted this yet...

So sad!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6392217.html

LOS ANGELES — A family spokesman for Bea Arthur says the star of TV's "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" has died.

Spokesman Dan Watt says the 86-year-old Arthur died at home early Saturday. He says Arthur had cancer, but he declined to give further details.

The tall, deep-voiced actress won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame" and Emmy Awards for "The Golden Girls" and "Maude." Arthur's razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines helped make the sitcoms hits and turned the veteran stage and film actress into a popular TV star.

Arthur first appeared as the character Maude in the 1970s landmark comedy series "All in the Family," making guest appearances as the loudly outspoken, liberal in-law of blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor).

Updated On: 4/25/09 at 03:47 PM

[Parks]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 3:51pm

So sad. She will be missed.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 3:56pm

Very sad. I knew since yesterday she had been ill. Ryan Seacrest had mentioned it on his radio show.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 3:58pm

I dunno what to say. I'm distraught.

[justagirl2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:10pm

Oh, no. This one really upsets me. Rest in peace.

[Jim Colyer]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:14pm

All I remember is sultry Adrienne Barbeau.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=adrienne%20barbeau&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

[nmartin]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:18pm

God Love Her.

Hit it, Rose

[nmartin]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:23pm

God, I loved her.
And Then There's Maude

[StockardFan]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:25pm

Oh this is sad news indeed. She was such a great comic talent.

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:27pm

Rest in Peace. A true original.
Sistah Love

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:27pm

A great loss. She gave so much joy.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:44pm

She could make us laugh just by saying "Walter..."

Not many people are that funny.

"Walter..."

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:47pm

What a horrible loss. She will be missed.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 4:50pm

I posted the "Bosom Buddies" with Angela in the other thread, but here it is again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilV5K8tw_6o

[Hulmeman]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 5:14pm

I am so very sad at this news.

I saw her show at the Savoy Theatre in London a couple of years ago and loved every minute of her showmanship. I loved her in "Mame", I loved her in "Maude", I loved her in "The Golden Girls"

I think she was a broadway ledgend.Dear god may she rest in peace.

[Hulmeman]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 5:32pm

If anyone knows about her funeral, which I think will be on the west coast, please post details

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 5:42pm

That was one helluva second act! She will always be my favorite GG. RIP

[StageManager2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 7:35pm

GG is my fave show, and Dorothy my fave character. So sad to hear this.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 7:43pm

I read about her illness yesterday right here on BWW, and was worried that I'd come home tonight to read this news. I am deeply saddened. Rest in peace, Bea.

[blueroses]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 7:46pm

She's in Shady Pines with Ma.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Arthur.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 7:47pm

I feel so sad.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 7:55pm

this makes this week all the more sad for me. What an amazing performer.

[shira467]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 8:24pm

She was fabulous. Such a terrible loss.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 8:33pm

Rosie sings "And Then There's Maude" to Bea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9S9U62xAA4

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 10:21pm

Blueroses- "the West wing Ma_"

She was a spokeperson for Shopper's DrugMart up here for about 3 yrs. A class act.