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Rue McClanahan Dies

06/03/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Rue McClanahan died today of a massive stroke. She was 76. McClanahan had a long and successful career. She is best known for playing Blanche Devereaux on the 80′s T.V. series, The Golden Girls. Through Blanche, McClanahan created a portrait of a beautiful southern belle, who is comfortable with her sexuality and confident even as she ages. In our youth obsessed culture, Blanche taught us that age doesn’t matter and confidence is always sexy. Blanche had a gay brother on the show and although she struggled to accept him and his partner, she ultimately did. McClanahan played that storyline with finesse and charm. The friendships portrayed on the show by Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan will last for a long time to come.   

ABC selected a quote of McClanahan’s that sums up her vision of the show:

“Golden Girls” aimed to show “that when people mature, they add layers,” McClanahan told The New York Times in 1985. “They don’t turn into other creatures. The truth is we all still have our child, our adolescent, and your young woman living in us.”

McClanahan also appeared on the groundbreaking program, Maude. She played the role of the best friend, Vivian, to Bea Arthur’s, Maude. Maude tackled many controversial issues, such as abortion, civil rights and feminism. McClanahan also appeared on Mama’s Family, a comedy, with future Golden Girl co-star Better White.

Betty White, who played sweet Rose Nyland, is now the last surviving Golden Girl. Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur passed away in 2009.

The video below is an except from the 1968 movie, Hollywood After Dark. It show’s Rue being playful and sexy. (not the original soundtrack) Enjoy! We will miss you, Rue.

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