Social Entertainment / People

Rue McClanahan

Acting · Born February 21, 1934 · Healdton, Oklahoma, USA

A 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.

Movies with Rue McClanahan

• Starship Troopers (1997) — Biology Teacher
• Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988) — Self
• The Earth Day Special (1990) — Blanche Devereaux
• The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2025) — Self / Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
• Out to Sea (1997) — Mrs. Carruthers
• They Might Be Giants (1971) — Daisy Playfair
• NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002) — Self
• Night of 100 Stars III (1990) — Self
• Annabelle's Wish (1997) — Scarlett (voice)
• The Fighting Temptations (2003) — Nancy Stringer
• Baby of the Bride (1991) — Margaret Hix
• This World, Then the Fireworks (1997) — Mom Lakewood

TV shows with Rue McClanahan

• The Golden Girls (1985) — Blanche Devereaux
• Maude (1972) — Vivian Harmon
• Where the Heart Is (1969) — Margaret Jardin #2
• Another World (1964) — Caroline Johnson
• Mama's Family (1983) — Frances Marie Crowley
• The Golden Palace (1992) — Blanche Devereaux
• Sordid Lives: The Series (2008) — Peggy Ingram