Betty White: Losing Rue McClanahan 'Hurts'

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 3rd 2010 01:16PM

In less than two years, Betty White has seen the passing of her 'Golden Girls' castmates Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan. Now, the comedy icon has given her first reaction to McClanahan's death today from a stroke.

"Rue was a close and dear friend," she tells 'The Insider.' "I treasure our relationship. It hurts more than I ever thought it would, if that's even possible."

From 1985 to 1992, White and McClanahan played unlikely friends on the hit series -- White, as simple Rose, and Rue as the bodacious Blanche. Both actresses portrayed these same characters on four different sitcoms -- 'The Golden Girls,' 'The Golden Palace,' 'Nurses' and 'Empty Nest.'

'Golden' co-stars Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur passed away in July of 2008 and April of 2009, respectively.

White and McClanahan's working relationship began well before either was a 'Golden Girl.' Both were supporting players on Vicki Lawrence's kitchy sitcom 'Mama's Family' in the early 1980s -- White as Mama's snooty daughter Ellen, while Rue appeared as her unmarried sister, Fran.

According to IMDB, White was originally considered for the role of Blanche on 'Girls.' However, producers were reluctant to typecast White as sexually aggressive after her turn as Sue Ann Nivens on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' As Rue had already played a more introverted character -- that of Vivian on 'Maude' -- producers felt it best to challenge the actresses with roles unlike anything they had ever played before. It's a good thing they did; White and McClanahan were iconic as Rose and Blanche, respectively. Both actresses won lead actress Emmys for 'Girls.'

White and McClanahan also shared an interest in animal rights activism. Rue was active on behalf of PETA, and White endorses a number of animal welfare causes, including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, the Morris Animal Foundation and Actors & Others for Animals. White has also published a book about her love of animals -- 'Betty White's Pet-Love: How Pets Take Care of Us.'

Before her death, McClanahan became the object of a Facebook group campaign, which hoped to persuade NBC to pick McClanahan as a host of 'SNL,' much like the successful movement that resulted in White's first 'Saturday Night Live' gig.

► Read more on McClanahan's passing and cherish her best 'Golden Girls' moments.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=889278&pid=889277&uts=1275580690

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/tv/?s_channel=us.tvpop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Rue McClanahan Snapshots

'Golden Girls' legends Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Bea Arthur graced the red carpet at the TV Land Awards in June of 2008. More Rue Images >>

Getty Images for TV Land

Getty Images North America

Rue McClanahan Snapshots

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Actress Rue McClanahan arrives at "Celebrating Bea Arthur," a memorial for friends and family of entertainment icon Beatrice Arthur at the Majestic Theatre on September 14, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rue McClanahan

Rue McClanahan Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: Actress Rue McClanahan attends the opening night on Broadway for "The Story of My Life" at the Booth Theatre on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rue McClanahan

Rue McClanahan Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Actors Rue McClanahan and Kirsten Wyatt performs "I Met a Girl" during the 2009 Broadway Backwards at the American Airlines Theatre on February 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kirsten Wyatt

Rue McClanahan Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Actors Rue McClanahan and Kirsten Wyatt performs "I Met a Girl" during the 2009 Broadway Backwards at the American Airlines Theatre on February 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rue McClanahan;Kirsten Wyatt

Rue McClanahan Snapshots

Tags: betty white, Rue McClanahan

Comments

(100)

Thursday 03 June

By arugula

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Many of us are older and the eyes aren't so great. I know it is easier for me to read letters than to clearly distinguish teeny little faces on the screen. The lady clearly read the labels which clearly SAID it was Rue. No need to be nasty unless you are trying to show how clever you are. Rue was known to be a great lady who never behaved with the lack of grace and kindness as you have just displayed.

By WRITHA Strunk

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

What a sad day!!! I love The Golden Girls then and re-runs now. Rue did alot for television and will be so missed. May God Bless your family. Rest in peace Rue I love you.

By LUE VIGS

THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER BLANCHE SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT REST IN PEACE RUE YOU WILL GREATLY BE MISSED.

By jake192168

listen i was 40 y/o watching golden girls and those babes were incredible. we will miss all of them. and to betty white .you are the best. i am still laghing from the the snl skits.

By tony

ive often heard that god takes 3 famous people at a time,but lately seems like hes taking his share and then some theres been at least 7 over the last 3 weeks or so,i wish i had an answer but he must have a better plan,so to all those who died recently,rip,god bless everybody.

By Loyise

Hi, Tony who are the ones who died - perhaps a dumb questions but I must have missed something. I too am saddened to see folks leave this world but we know that God has a place for His children - everybody wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die, that is me for sure.

Vote down Vote up Report this

gary coleman,dennis hopper,of course rue,ronnie james dio,i am tongue tied but there was 3 or 4 more,now i feel dumb .

By Carla

I am going to miss you Blanche! I loved the Golden Girls and even have the theme song as a ring tone for all my friends who call me. So sad....I am praying for your family. Betty, hang in there

By Dianne

I am a Golden Girls junkie!!! Whenever I have a stressful day at work or at home, I tune in to a GG Marathon and after a few hours of non-stop laughter, all stress is forgotten. Blanche was my favorite. She was a hero to many of us 'girls' over 50. She will be missed.
Thank you beautiful Rue for the many laughs and great memories!
My thoughts and prayers go up for Rue's family.

By bigtinylittle

I was just sitting around, leafing through my "Men of Blanche's Boudoir" calendar...and ya know what? I really AM surprised she was able to walk in October!!! Rue was a delight in everything she appeared in, especially "The Golds" as we came to abbreviate the show over the years. We'll miss her greatly, just as we have missed her 'roomies'. God bless you Rue, and thanks for so many laughs. We'll never see that again.

By glenda

Rue will truly be missed.Loved all the Golden Girls but Blanche was my favorite.Rue played the part so well that you really believed she WAS Blanche.RIP Rue.I will continue to watch The Golden Girls.

By Lynn

Love you, Blanche. Thanks for your grace and presence. You gave so many of us such joy and laughter. Condolences to your friends and family.

By flfyktn

Rue, you will be missed.

Condolences to family and friends. May God be with you in this time of sorrow.

By SkyBlue

Sophia : Where's that idiot Rose?

Dorothy : Ma, Shady Pines looks pretty good right now.

Blanche : Let's have some cheesecake while we wait.

So long all!

By Pat

This was such a wonderful post. Clever and fitting and I think this is probably what the three are doing right now, but I hope they aren't in too much of a hurry for Rose.

By eleete27

So true Diane! Talent, honesty, pure fun and grace are timeless, so the show and the actresses will endure, especially in our hearts and humor . . . I used to watch the Golden Girls with my grandparents when I was young, my parents are now hooked on the reruns and laugh out loud whenever they can catch an episode and so do I! Thanks for the fun and laughs . . . GOD REST you RUE!

By Revjdb

Amen, Amen, Amen, Sky Blue, Pat and Eleete

By ng

This is truly a sad day. It feels like a family member died. I've been watching the golden girls since I was 8yrs old. I'm now 30 and still can't get enough of the show... It was my absolute favorite. Rue McClanahan A.K.A. MS Blanche Devereaux will surely be missed, she was the best!! R.I.P

By phyllis

This is so true. She feels like a family member. I just love all of them.

By Gwen

Absolutely! My heart really dropped when I read about Rue. I've not been a big TV viewer but "The Golden Girls" was one of the few shows that I watched faithfully...and still catch reruns when possible. Blanche and Rose always made me laugh aloud. It especially cheered me whenever I was feeling low. My prayers go to her family and all the friends who loved her so much. She will be missed dearly.

We've lost a good number of true-grit stars lately, which makes me weep.

Page 1 of 5