Bea Arthur}’s portrait

Bea Arthur

  • 86 years old
  • Born May 13, 1922
  • Died Apr 25, 2009
  • Los Angeles, California, United States
The Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and one of the stars in the 1980s TV series "The Golden Girls," has passed away from cancer.
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About

Goodbye, Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak

Golden Girls star Beatrice Arthur died Saturday of cancer, the Associated Press reports. She was 86.

Known to older generations as "Maude," she was best know to '80s fans as "Dorothy Zbornak," a retiree living in Miami Beach with Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty. Golden Girls ran from 1985 to 1992 before Arthur left the series, reportedly saying she didn't like working as part of an ensemble cast.

In 1983, Arthur starred in another TV series, Amanda's, an U.S. version of Britain's Fawlty Towers. But the series was canceled after only nine episodes. She also had a hilarious role in Mel Brooks' History of the World Part 1 (1981), playing the unemployment office clerk. ("Oh, a bulls--t artist!")

TOP 5 DOROTHY ZBORNAK LINES FROM GOLDEN GIRLS:

5. "You'll have to excuse my mother. She suffered a slight stroke a few years ago which rendered her totally annoying."

4. "You're a furry little gnome and we feed you too much."

3. "Now look here... You withered old Sicilian monkey!"

2. "Of course you hate communism, it's because you were raised a fascist."

1. "How come whenever my ship comes in it's leaking?"

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Memories

Beatrice Arthur Tribute Cabaret Show

Carla Gordon Aug 30, 2009

I am a Chicago based cabaret singer working on a show to be called "Queen Bea" honoring Ms. Arthur. Her own cabaret show "Just Between Friends" remains forever in my heart. If you have stories about Beatrice that I could share with my audience, please share them with me at CarlaCabaret@aol.com. Bea was a grand interpreter of song, a grand wit, and a grand human. God'll get ya for that, Beatrice.

Peggie Culpepper (Sep 09, 2009)

Beatrice Arthur,Was A very influential person to me,she also was A wonderful lady and also A very astute and very funny actress.She left a gracious impression on my friends and myself The lord will always be with her. Thank you very much for the chance to comment on one of my favorite Ladies Love Peggie Culpepper

My Memory

Barbara Aug 24, 2009

Bea Authur was a very talented woman. She made the Golden Girls special for all of us. Thankfully we can still watch the Golden Girls and Maude and see how wonderful an actress she really was. Rest in Peace.

My Memory

Cheryl Aug 23, 2009

Each time I watch Golden Girls I find it hard to believe that Bea is gone from us. She was the queen of comedy and I enjoy each and every episode no matter how many times I've seen it before. Heaven is richer since she arrived. Of that, I have no doubt. Rest in peace Bea. You are sorely missed.

Golden Girl

Meryl Sanderson Aug 12, 2009

Thank you for bringing us such happiness and laughter Bea. I know you and Estelle will meet up and keep everyone in tucks of laughter.
God Bless

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