Rue McClanahan, the veteran actress who won an Emmy for playing the saucy Southern belle Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls," died early Thursday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital of a stroke. She was 76.
She had undergone treatment for breast cancer in 1997 and later lectured to cancer support groups on "aging gracefully." She had heart bypass surgery last year.
"Golden Girls" ran from 1985-92 on NBC and was a hit from the beginning, starting off at No. 1 in the Nielsens. The foursome -- which also included Bea Arthur, Betty White and Estelle Getty -- delighted audiences.
McClanahan earned four Emmy noms for "Golden Girls," winning in 1987. She also was nominated for three Golden Globes for her performance as the sex-crazed Blanche.
She also played Blanche in three other series: one episode each of "Nurses" and "Empty Nest" -- both of which preceded "Golden Girls" -- and as a regular on "The Golden Palace,...
She had undergone treatment for breast cancer in 1997 and later lectured to cancer support groups on "aging gracefully." She had heart bypass surgery last year.
"Golden Girls" ran from 1985-92 on NBC and was a hit from the beginning, starting off at No. 1 in the Nielsens. The foursome -- which also included Bea Arthur, Betty White and Estelle Getty -- delighted audiences.
McClanahan earned four Emmy noms for "Golden Girls," winning in 1987. She also was nominated for three Golden Globes for her performance as the sex-crazed Blanche.
She also played Blanche in three other series: one episode each of "Nurses" and "Empty Nest" -- both of which preceded "Golden Girls" -- and as a regular on "The Golden Palace,...
- 6/3/2010
- by By Duane Byrge
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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