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 Sultan

Vote down Vote up Report this

Rue...thank you for being a friend travel through the tv waves and back again your heart is true I'm a fans you're a pal and I'm glad I turned my tv on...cuz when you and the girls through a party you invited everyone around the world to view The Goldens Girls would be the biggest gift to me from NBC and the card attached would say thank you for being a friend every Saturday night we were blessed through the gift of laughter you gave us....

By me me me

cool post

By Gina

Sorry peeps..but that's Anne Meara-Ben Stiller's mom, in that Broadway show pic...NOT Rue Mc Clanahan

By gil

Blanche, I loved you. Ms McClanahan, thank you for your charm and your immense talent. YOU WERE MY FAVORITE, and I will miss you very much. Rest in Peace.

By JOHN J. ERVOLINA

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

WE MAY LOST THREE GOLDEN GIRLS,

BUT HEAVEN GAINED THREE GOLDEN ANGELS.

R.I.P. RUE

Monday 14 June

By richierichnash

u guys MUST watch all the episodes of SORDID LIVES too..the last thing rue worked on.... she was hilarious on that

By Mario Lopez

Mrs. McClanahan, so much has been said by others here and all of those who were kind enough to add a message are those who will keep you in their hearts with Golden memories of all that you the girls brought to us with all of your witty talent. As it seems we still hold you here with us or why else are we writing message to you in the first person. LOVE you much and THANK you for all you gave to us. May the Golden memories you gave us bring you the peace and rest well deserved from a special Golden girl that has now been reunited with Sophia and Dorothy. My prayers are here for you and your family and to all those who will miss you. Mario B. Lopez

By Barb Krause

My heart is breaking for the lost of another Golden Girl. I watch the reruns every night. May God Bless Rue's Family and help their hearts heal! R.I.P. Rue!

By cindy

The golden girls made it fun and fashionable to be senior citizens. Before them no one ever thought older women ever thought they way they did.

All will be sorely missed.
All are greatly appreciated.
RIP golden girls you deserve the best!

By Gwen

Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche and Rose were the very first RED HAT ladies! Having reached the wonderfully ripe age of 50+ and armed with wit and wisdom untold, they sashayed without fear into the most exciting phase of their lives...the grand, gracious, glamorous and glorious GOLDEN YEARS!

Blanche, save some cheesecake for the rest of us!

By J.E.B.

It must have been a very sad day for Betty White,being the last surviving cast member of "The Golden Girls", the same way it was for Pernell Roberts being the last surviving cast member of the Cartwright family in "Bonanza". God bless them both.

By Pat

Once again Heaven is a better place now.

By laurie

I'm stunned! When Betty was on Ellen,she said Rue was doing much better.It's like hearing a family member died.I watch Golden Girls reruns nightly on Hallmark Ch.I hope they do a tribute to her.Blanche was one of a kind,and so was Rue. I feel so sad for Betty-losing every one of them in a 2 yr span.Rest in peace,Rue.

By Genevieve Madrid

I hope they do a Golden Girls Marathon this weekend ... I love that show.

By MamaS

She made being vane acceptable and funny. I am happy to see that they corrected their mistake in the pictures. They had Anne Mearer mistakenly identified as Rue in a Broadway Play. Rest in Peace Blanche, I am sure Sophia and Dorothy have a nice piece of cheesecake waiting for you.

By Marie Lerma

Thank you for being my friend..............RIP

By flrooster1

I'm guessing that the loss of Blanche will hasten the loss of Betty White too, the pain of losing such close friends in such a short period of time, makes one look at there own Mortality. God Bless Them All, and For The wonderful Years and laughter they gave us..I think a memorial SNL live show is in order as this is what the people wanted..Richard in Florida

By Leah

What a wonderful gift of laughter she gave us all. The Golden Girls are just as popular now as they were "then"....maybe more so. I watch the show every day and never get tired of seeing it. Dear Rue....you were one of a kind...thanks for wonderful, and funny memories....I will miss you. God Bless

By Geegee Davis

We, the viewing audience, feel as though we know these girls. I can personally say, that I have seen "G G" so many times I have parts of it memorized !! I love those girls !! Rue, you are a one in a million gal. And Oh, how you will be missed. There is NO ONE like you. God bless your family. I feel as though I am part of Rue McClanahan's family. We are all better for knowing and enjoying the talents of these wonderful women.

By Lizard

Thank You For Being a Friend.........

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