Best known for her role as southern belle/proto-cougar Blanche Deveraux on NBC’s Golden Girls, actress Rue McClanahan passed away today at 1 a.m. after a massive stroke, according to manager Barbara Lawrence. She was 76.
McClanahan’s passing marks the third of the Golden Girls’ in the last three years. Estelle Getty died in 2008 and Bea Arthur just last year. Golden Girls’ enduring popularity plays testament to the power of friendship and the allure of independent women. Pre-Sex and the City, Golden Girls was a rare show with no male leads, that wasn’t afraid to tackle then-taboo topics like safe sex, homosexuality and ageism. A cult figure and icon in the gay community, McClanahan’s last acting role was in the 2008 series Sordid Lives on Logo.
In addition to her work on Golden Girls, the Emmy-winning actress also starred as Vivian Cavender Harmon on Maude and Fran Crowley on Mama’s Family, wherein her roles were equally provocative and powerful.
The Oklahoma native and breast cancer survivor was a lifelong animal welfare advocate, vegetarian and PETA supporter. She lobbied against animal cruelty, taking on causes such as sick elephants in the circus, cockfighting in New Mexico and John Kerry’s pheasant hunting hobby, for which he lost her vote to Ralph Nader. The registered democrat endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 elections.
According to People magazine, MacClanahan’s manager noted that at the time of her death Thursday, McClanahan “had her family with her. She went in peace.”
To commemorate the actress’ career, WE tv is running a Golden Girls marathon on Friday, June 4, beginning at 5 p.m. EST.
Photo by PR Photos.