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 Edie

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Golden Girls was one of the only shows my husband and I watched together; so sad to lose another 'friend'. I never tire of watching the reruns...

By i am sahm

Thank you for being a friend, Rue! I grew up with the Golden Girls. I swear, this show will never lose it's shine. I'm 21 years old, three years younger than the first episode, and it's still one of my favorites. My teenage cousins love it too. My kids will probably be watching this show (once they're old enough to listen to Blanche's stories, that is! lol)

By mrsc4277

I stated watching the Golden Girls from the very begining. Every character had thier own great personality. me and my friends had called ourselves the Golden Girls for years. even our husbands have jumped on the bandwagon
The one thing we always argue about is everyone wanted to be Blanch. She had the best outfits every show.
These Golden Girls from Boston will truly miss Blanche,Dorothy and Sophia, Betty White you keep making us happy.
Kathy

By Shelly

We love you Rue and you will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace.

Saturday 05 June

By Cookie

so sorry to hear we missed a real "GOLDEN GIRL" Rest in peace

By Melissa

Thank you for being a friend, Rue.

One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mom and I sitting on my bed, watching "Golden Girls" on a small, black and white TV. More than two decades have gone by, and I still watch the show. It will never go out of style.

By Janice

Thank you for being a friend, Rue. You will be sorely missed.

By JC

I hope Betty White understands that she has millions of friends that she doesn't even know. RIP Rue McClanahan, and rock on Betty White.

By Carrie

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Such a sad day for those who love the Golden Girls. I can picture in my mind the girls sitting around their kitchen table eating cheesecake, supporting each other...and laughing.
Thank you for so much enjoyment.
God bless you Rue, Betty, Bea, and Estelle.

By Robin

I am bawling my eyes out!

Nuff said.

By Sheila

Me too! I even started crying at work when I read the news.

By lvaz651345

Very sad to hear about Rue's death. She made me laugh along with
many others who watch the Golden Girls show. May she rest in peace along with her other golden girls. Hope there is cheesecake in heaven.

By Karen

My sympathy to her family.
I LOVED her as Blanche, and I LOVED "The Golden Girls". I watched it from the beginning, and still watch it in reruns.

By Linda V.

Oh Rue..A truly sad day for all. I still enjoy the GG re-runs whenver I can find them. You can join your old mate Mel Bushman (The zipper king)..One of my all time favorites..RIP dear lady.

I almost forgot...

As I said before, I watched Golden Girls from the beginning. I made the mistake of watching one episode while I was eating something. Big mistake... It was a scene where "Blanche" is on a private plane with a boyfriend. He's talking to her while she't trying to work the seat. The seat back suddnely goes all the way back. He continues to talk, not noticing, and she's working fureiously to get the seat back up. I almost choked on what I was eating while I was laughing hysterically!!!

Rue was a wonderful actress. God Bless Her Soul!!!

By Terry

Blanche;...is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?!..We love ALL the "Girls"......"Thank you for being a friend"...

By katydid579

My mom loved to watch M.A.S.H. and the Golden Girls. Somehow she managed to find the channels which one of those shows on. Her favorite was actually Sophia, but she said Blanche reminded her of someone she knew. I never found out who it was.

By Lita

All I can manage to say is, and I'm quoting Blanche here, "I am devestated, absolutely devestated."

"The Golden Girls" reigns as one of my favorite television shows of all time. Few shows today can even earn a place in its shadow. Networks, take notice. Go back to quality writing for quality actors.

By w

DAVE S, IT WAS CALLED GOLDEN GIRLS FOR A REASON. REST IN PEACE RUE. ESTELLE GETTY WAS YOUNG TOO AND MADE UP TO LOOK OLD, LOL

By Christine

I was saddened to hear about Rue McClanahan's death. She was such a funny lady, truly talented, along with her Golden Girl co-stars. I have loved and watched that show for as long as I can remember. She will be missed, gone, but never forgotten.

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