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.

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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 >>

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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 Piper

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It's so sad. The Golden Girls got me through some really hard times, you know the saying ' Laughter is the best medicine'? Well it's true. Thank you for being a friend, travel down that road and back again, your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant. If I threw a party, invited everyone I knew..You would see the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say..Thank you for being a friend. Why is it that horrible people live until they are 110 but the good ones always leave us early? Love you Rue, Betty please hang in there!

By Jean Weber

Piper You said it right. Rue was one of a kind and the song was so true. Senior citizen still watching the reruns.

By Joe

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Piper- Don't worry about the ones that live to be 110, because thats all they have! This life!

By Kathy

Rue you will be missed, but you will live on in our hearts and on our TV.

PS. Popeater please fix your photo montage. That is Annne Meara not Rue !! Also a great actress

By Bonbon

Nice post Skyblue.

Monday 07 June

By Johnnye Baton

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I am saddened by the loss of this lady, she was such a joy to watch all these years.... I felt I knew her from way back .... they all seemed like friends you could reach out to.... prayers with all her close friends and family !!!

By jazz

RIP Rue..loved u a lot my mom makes me watch the Golden Girls every chance she qets! Lol and it's a very funny show..Betty White is all we have left..You will be missed and you are truly loved

By Earthshadow

Rue was great and will be missed, so please put the photo of HER in "Bells Are Ringing", on your post and not Anne Meara. Nothing against Meara, but get your photos straight!

By JM

Whomever is in charge of coordinating the photograghs on this site should be fired! Pix 11-16 may be of the musical Rue was in, (or maybe not?) but none of them included Rue. Get it together folks!
Rue was fabulous and will be missed greatly!

By Ellen

That is not Rue McClanahan in the broadway backwards pics, it's Ann Meara. Do your homework or get a new job.

Friday 04 June

By Anita

I Loved all the girls I watch all the Golden Girls re-runs I also have every season on dvd I identified with each golden girl.
Rue,Bea and Estelle will be truly missed but never forgotten.

By Golden Girl Fan

Most definately a sad day indeed! An absolutely GIFTED and TALENTED actress has left us. Thanks so very much for the memories Rue! I am so sad to hear that you are gone! May God bless the family in this time of need!

By Jane Schoofs

The Golden Girls were the original Sex and the City characters!

I love watching the re-runs!!!! It is sad that 3 of the 4 are gone.

Jane

By JayLady

The "Girls" reached and still reach across the generations with their timeless humor and incredible delivery. Betty still enriches our lives but the other "Girls" live on in our hearts!

By gracie

Rue, RIP, I love the golden girls....We all will miss you down here....God Bless your fans family and friends, who admire your work for so many yrs.....

By Joelle

They are all in Golden Girl Heaven...God Bless them all!
We are blessed to still have Betty here with us to make us laugh!
Love all you Girls dearly!!!

By BETTY SAGET

MY HEART IS SO SAD, FIRST MY SOPHIA, THEN MY SWEET DOROTHY, NOW MY UNIQUE BLANCHE, GOD BLESS ALL OF THEM, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU MY SWEET GOLDEN GIRLS, MY HEART AND MY THOUGHTS TO THE FAMILY. GOD BLEES YOU TOO ROSE AND GIVE YOU GOOD HEALTH FOR MANY MANY MORE YEARS.

By kate

that is not rue in those pictures on broadway-I beleive it is anne merra9wrong spelling)

By Jack McGaw

I maybe can understand how Betty is feeling right now. Lost a sister. These ladies were like sisters. This year I lost the last of my brothers. There were 4 of us, now it is down to just the one, the way that I am sure Betty feels right now.
These ladies were great, the sex that they put out was not like the junk you get today. They gave us great laughs and will always be missed.
Hang in the Betty, we don't want to loose you too.

By MARYE

'REST IN PEACE' RUE, YOU WAS LOVED BY MILLIONS, A GREAT STAR
ALWAYS ENJOYED YOUR SHOWS 'A FAN

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