ET:
Arthur passed away at her home on Saturday. The spokesman said she was battling cancer, but did not elaborate on the cause of death.
In the video above Rosie sings the theme from “Maude” after Bea Arthur tells her that they [used to!] sing it instead of happy birthday at The Universal Grill in the village.
I love that Bea went there. My friend Sam and I used to celebrate birthdays together there. Rest in sweet eternal peace Bea.
UPDATE: Joe Gandelman adds this:
As a professional entertainer, longtime student of theater and lifelong literal student of comedy, it’s important to note what a great role model Arthur was — and is — for those who are interested in these arts or want to perform these arts. Arthur won an Emmy for her 1966 role as Vera co-starring in “Mame” with Angela Lansbury. And both of her TV shows “Maude” and “The Golden Girls” folded once she quit since the producers knew she was irreplaceable.
Why? Americans are the most overentertained people in the world but often lose sight of the fact that the songs many sing are written by others, the the words spoken in comedies and dramas are written by others. Arthur had the ability to take a song, or a lyric, or a dramatic or comedy line and make it come alive and add nuance to the word in her pronounciation, or enhance its meaning with a glance or flicker of her eyelid.
Here are FOUR fascinating video examples.
1. Singing the show stopper “Bosom Buddies” from Mame. Listen and watch her closely and how she makes Jerry Herman’s music and lyrics sound spontaneous.
2. A quick clip from Maude. It was a comedy show but it sometimes took on highly controversial issues — such as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YjB6Szch4
3. She was a key anchor of the Golden Girls, where she even had her own famous catchphrase:
4. You can get a sense of what Arthur was like in these Golden Girls Bloopers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIrw_YzOsWk&feature=related
SOME OTHER REACTION TO ARTHUR’S PASSING:
Quite a few celebrity-entertainment blogs have things to say such as:
The iconic actress was battling cancer.
Thank you, Bea, for making us laugh all these years. Your memory will live on forever!
oh what a super sad day – legendary star bea arthur passed away peacefully today here in los angeles at the age of 86 (thankfully surrounded by her family) oh i’m so very upset – i know she was old and lived a great life but i’m still at a complete loss for words – i loved her – she was so damn funny! who didn’t adore her on the golden girls or maude (a spin-off of my favorite show of all-time all in the family) two of the best television shows ever! last year i was shocked to find out ms. arthur doesn’t have a star on hollywood’s ‘walk of fame’ – i’m hoping she’ll be able to get the honor posthumously – she totally deserves it! i know everyone shares the same sentiment when i say – ms. arthur, thank you for being a friend – you are already missed – may you rest in peace xoxo
It’s been a tough year for the Golden Girls. First we lost Estelle Getty last July, and now today, the other half of the Petrillo clan, Dorothy Zbornack, has passed away as well. Yes, TV legend Bea Arthur died today at 86 after a battle with cancer. Sadness all around. Hopefully she’ll be able to hang out with “Ma” on the big lanai in the sky.
Words cannot express my sadness at hearing this news. Bea Arthur was truly a legendary actress of stage and screen and will forever be remembered as an icon of her time. She was very truly a special woman and she will be sorely missed. May flights of angels wing you on your way, dear Bea — you are loved and will be forever missed.
The other day I listed my favorite TV shows of all-time, and I really should have included The Golden Girls on that list. This was a consistently funny, clever, entertaining sitcom. A classic, really, spawning a lot of great one-liners and situations. It was also a breeding ground for some writers and producers who would become famous for other projects later, including Marc Cherry and Mitchell Hurwitz (as well as many veteran writers and directors). It’s still a very special show to me. I used to find myself up at 1AM watching several episodes on Lifetime.
Besides The Golden Girls, Arthur starred in Maude (a spinoff after appearing as the character on All in the Family), Dave’s World, Studio One, Kraft Television Theatre, Caeser’s Hour, and Great Performances. She also had a memorable guest role on Malcolm in the Middle as Dewey’s babysitter.
Seriously, I feel like I lost one of my bestest friends! After coming home from a drunken night, I could always count on Bea and company to lullaby me to sleep with their brilliant and touching way with comedy.
Thank you for being a friend, Bea. You will be missed and your genius will live on forever! I mean that. And tell “ma” we all said “Hi.”
Now if you’ll excuse me, I must drown the pain away with something strong. Maybe a cheesecaketini. Rest in peace, Bea…..
She was tall, and had a razor sharp wit, developed in childhood, but honed while working as a singer/waitress.
Over five decades, Bea Arthur put her comedienne’s perfect timing to superb use, starring in television role after role, culminating in her spectacularly popular series “The Golden Girls” and “Maude,” while also picking up a Tony Award in the musical “Mame.” It was on the boards that she had gotten her start, working off Broadway mostly until she landed the role of Yente in the original “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Few remember, but her television breakthrough role was in the 1970s series “All in the Family,” where she’d played Edith Bunker’s cousin. In between her series work she found time for several features, including Mel Brooks’ “History of the World, Part 1.”