Biography for
Rue McClanahan More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

21 February 1934, Healdton, Oklahoma, USA

Birth Name

Eddi Rue McClanahan

Nickname

Ruesy

Height

5' 3" (1.60 m)

Mini Biography

A New York stage actress in the 1950s, McClanahan was plucked from the stage by Norman Lear for roles on "All in the Family" (1971) and later "Maude" (1972). For two years (1982 - 1984), she played "Aunt Fran" on "Mama's Family" (1983) until it was canceled by NBC. She hit her comedic stride as a sharp tongued oversexed Southern belle on "The Golden Girls" (1985).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel

Mini 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. 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.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Morrow Wilson	(25 December 1997 - present)
Tom Keel	(1985 - 1986) (divorced)
Gus Fisher	(6 November 1976 - 1978) (divorced)
Peter DMaio	(1964 - 1971) (divorced)
Norman Hartweg	(1959 - 1961) (divorced)
Tom Bish	(1958 - 1959) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Playing Blanche Devereaux on the hit "The Golden Girls" (1985).

Trivia

Mother of Mark Bish.

Aunt of actress Amelia Kinkade.

In 1997, Rue was diagnosed with cancer. She had a lumpectomy and five months of chemotherapy. She now does a lecture entitled "Aging Gracefully" for breast-cancer support groups.

She graduated cum laude in the University of Tulsa with a degree in German and theatre arts. She was also the only female member of the school's science club.

Became a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Tulsa.

Played the same character, Blanche Devereaux, on four different TV series: "The Golden Palace" (1992), "The Golden Girls" (1985), "Nurses" (1991), and "Empty Nest" (1988).

Is of Scot-Irish and Choctaw Indian ancestry.

After her second marriage broke up, she went to New York, and started doing films. She thinks her "They Might Be Giants" part her best movie part.

Still has "jitters" for opening nights, about rehearsals and worrying about not having enough time to prepare perfectly.

Betty White was originally considered for the role of the sexpot, Blanche, on "The Golden Girls" (1985). However, Betty had already been the aggressive Sue Ann Nivens on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) and Rue had played the introverted Vivian on "Maude" (1972). It was thought best not to typecast these two actresses by having them portray similar characters. Therefore, Betty got the part of naive Rose Nylund and Rue played the oversexed Blanche.

Is a vegan and dedicated animal rights activist.

An Honorary Director for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Personal Quotes

"Compassion is the foundation of everything positive, everything good. If you carry the power of compassion to the marketplace and the dinner table, you can make your life really count."

"People always ask me if I'm like Blanche. And I say, 'Well, Blanche was an oversexed, self-involved, man-crazy, vain Southern Belle from Atlanta -- and I'm not from Atlanta!'"

Where Are They Now

(May 2003) Spoke at a press conference at Saratoga Springs, New York protesting the use of diving horses at Magic Forest Theme Park, Lake George, New York.

(June 2005) Portraying Madame Morrible in Broadway's Wicked.

(2007) Release of her book, "My First Five Husbands...And the Ones Who Got Away".

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