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Rue McClanahan
Actor

Rue McClanahan

21 Feb 1934Born
3 Jun 2010Died
76Age at death
111Credits

Biography

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.

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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.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 111 credits.

  1. 2022Golden Girls 3033Series: Blanche Devereaux (voice) (archive sound) (1 episode)
  2. 2021Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden GirlsFilm: Blanche Devereaux
  3. 2008Generation GapFilm: Kay
  4. 2008Sordid Lives: The SeriesSeries: Peggy Ingram (12 episodes)
  5. 2005Back to You & MeFilm: Helen Ludwick
  6. 2004Spider-Man vs. Doc OckFilm: Mrs. Hardy (voice)
  7. 2004WonderfallsSeries: Millie Marcus (1 episode)
  8. 2003Hope & FaithSeries: Sylvia (1 episode)
  9. 2003The Fighting TemptationsFilm: Nancy Stringer
  10. 2003WhoopiSeries: Marian (1 episode)
  11. 2003Miracle DogsFilm: Katherine Mannion
  12. 2003The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait SeriesFilm: Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
  13. 2002The WomenFilm: Countess DeLage
  14. 2001NuncrackersFilm: Reverend Mother
  15. 2000The Moving of Sophia MylesFilm: Mary-Margaret
  16. 1999Safe HarborSeries: Grandma Loring (10 episodes)
  17. 1999Ladies ManSeries: Aunt Lou (2 episodes)
  18. 1999The LotSeries: Priscilla Tremaine (1 episode)
  19. 1999A Saintly SwitchFilm: Aunt Fanny
  20. 1998Rusty: A Dog's TaleFilm: Edna Callahan
  21. 1998Border to BorderFilm: Mrs. Kirby
  22. 1998Love Boat: The Next WaveSeries: Abigail Jordan (1 episode)
  23. 1998Nunsense 3: The JamboreeFilm: Mother Superior
  24. 1997Starship TroopersFilm: Biology Teacher
  25. 1997Annabelle's WishFilm: Scarlett (voice)
  26. 1997This World, Then the FireworksFilm: Mom Lakewood
  27. 1997Out to SeaFilm: Mrs. Carruthers
  28. 1997King of the HillSeries: Bunny (voice) (1 episode)
  29. 1996Dear GodFilm: Mom Turner
  30. 1996Promised LandSeries: Valerie Carter (1 episode)
  31. 1996Innocent VictimsFilm: Marylou Hennis
  32. 1996Remember WENNSeries: Dusty Foxx (1 episode)
  33. 1995A Holiday to RememberFilm: Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
  34. 1994Spider-ManSeries: Mrs. Hardy (voice) (1 episode)
  35. 1994Touched by an AngelSeries: Amelia Archibald, Lila Winslow (1 episode)
  36. 1994A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell StoryFilm: Grandma Stephens
  37. 1994Burke's LawSeries: Jinxy Duke (1 episode)
  38. 1994Nunsense 2: The SequelFilm: Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
  39. 1993Message from NamFilm: Beatrice Andrews
  40. 1993Boy Meets WorldSeries: Bernice Matthews (1 episode)
  41. 1993The John Larroquette ShowSeries: Rue McClanahan (1 episode)
  42. 1993NunsenseFilm: Rev. Mother Mary Regina
  43. 1993Mother of the BrideFilm: Margaret Hix
  44. 1992The Golden PalaceSeries: Blanche Devereaux (24 episodes)
  45. 1991Baby of the BrideFilm: Margaret Hix
  46. 1991NursesSeries: Blanche Devereaux (1 episode)
  47. 1990The Dreamer of OzFilm: Matilda Joslyn Gage
  48. 1990To My DaughterFilm: Laura Carlson
  49. 1990Children of the BrideFilm: Margaret Becker
  50. 1990Law & OrderSeries: Lois McIntyre (1 episode)
  51. 1990After the ShockFilm: Sherra Cox
  52. 1990The Earth Day SpecialFilm: Blanche Devereaux
  53. 1990Modern LoveFilm: Mrs. Evelyn Parker
  54. 1989The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeFilm
  55. 1989The Wickedest WitchFilm: Avarissa
  56. 1989The Man in the Brown SuitFilm: Suzy Blair
  57. 1988Take My Daughters, PleaseFilm: Lilah Page
  58. 1988Empty NestSeries: Blanche Devereaux (1 episode)
  59. 1988LiberaceFilm: Frances Liberace
  60. 1987The Little Match GirlFilm: Frances Dutton
  61. 1986PicnicFilm: Flo Owens
  62. 1985The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be ThereFilm
  63. 1985The Golden GirlsSeries: Blanche Devereaux (180 episodes)
  64. 1984Crazy like a FoxSeries: Angie (1 episode)
  65. 1984Charles in ChargeSeries: Irene Pembroke (2 episodes)
  66. 1984Murder, She WroteSeries: Miriam Radford (1 episode)
  67. 1984Cover UpSeries (1 episode)
  68. 1983Mama's FamilySeries: Frances Marie Crowley (35 episodes)
  69. 1983The Skin of Our TeethFilm: Fortune Teller
  70. 1982NewhartSeries: Eleanor Smathers
  71. 1982The Day the Bubble BurstFilm: Barbara Arvey
  72. 1982American PlayhouseSeries: Fortune Teller (1 episode)
  73. 1981DarkroomSeries: Mrs. Louise Michaelson (1 episode)
  74. 1981Gimme a Break!Series (1 episode)
  75. 1981Here's BoomerSeries: Thelma (1 episode)
  76. 1981Word of HonorFilm: Maggie McNeill
  77. 1980GridlockFilm: Adele Sherman
  78. 1979TopperFilm: Clara Topper
  79. 1979Trapper John, M.D.Series (1 episode)
  80. 1979SupertrainSeries: Ms. Rick (1 episode)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.