Rue McClanahan
Acting
🎂 1934-02-21
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.
Cast credits(127)
Lois McIntyre
1990
Verity Chandler
1971
Bunny (voice)
1997
Miriam Radford
1984
April Dunlevy
1977
Mary Hubble
1977
Doris Simpson
1977
Self
1961
1967
Josey Finn
1971
Cora
1971
Faye Precious
1971
1976
Self
1997
Mrs. Hardy (voice)
1994
Amelia Bowthorpe Archibald
1994
Lila Winslow
1994
1982
Blanche Devereaux
1985
1977
Bernice Matthews
1993
Self
2004
Self
2009
1979
Ruth Rempley
1971
Blanche Devereaux
1988
Self
1993
Vivian Harmon
1972
Biology Teacher
1997
Frances Marie Crowley
1983
Irene Pembroke
1984
Rue McClanahan
1993
Jinxy Duke
1994
Angie
1984
1982
1981
Sylvia
2003
Valerie Carter
1996
Blanche Devereaux
1991
1984
Dusty Foxx
1996
Abigail Jordan
1998
Self (archive Footage)
2018
Helen Ludwick
2005
Blanche Devereaux
1992
1979
Aunt Lou
1999
Nancy Stringer
2003
Millie Marcus
2004
Clara Topper
1979
Self
1990
Mom Turner
1996
Margaret Jardin #2
1969
Blanche Devereaux
1990
Margaret Becker Hix
1991
Scarlett (voice)
1997
Barbara Arvey
1982
Marian
2003
Fortune Teller
1983
Grandma Stephens
1994
Priscilla Tremaine
1999
Matilda Joslyn Gage
1990
Mrs. Ellen Carruthers
1997
Mary-Margaret
2000
Katherine Mannion
2003
1961
Grandma Loring
1999
Self / Blanche Devereaux
2003
Gail
1973
Aunt Fanny
1999
Thelma
1980
Reverend Mother
2001
Mrs. Evelyn Parker
1990
Blanche Devereaux
2022
1981
Blanche Devereaux
2021
Mrs. Kirby
1998
Peggy Ingram
2008
Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
2003
Self
1997
Margaret Becker Hix
1993
Adele Sherman
1980
Lita Joyce
1971
Daisy Playfair
1971
Self (archive footage)
2021
Della
1970
1978
Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
1995
Pamela
1961
Self
1988
1978
Frances Dutton
1987
Mom Lakewood
1997
Beatrice Andrews
1993
Laura Carlson
1990
Ida Koverman
1978
Self (archive footage)
2010
Lilah Page
1988
Frances Liberace
1988
Dolly
1965
Cora Groves
1972
1989
Edna Callahan
1998
Mat's Mother
1978
Sandy
1961
Caroline Johnson
1964
Avarissa
1989
Sherra Cox
1990
Sally 'Poochie'
1963
Kay
2008
Ginger-Nell Hollyhock
1978
Margaret Becker
1990
Josey Finn
1971
Gloria Miles
1978
Self
2002
Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
1964
Countess DeLage
2002
Marylou Hennis
1996
Blanche Devereaux (voice) (archive sound)
2022
1961
Suzy Blair
1989
Flo Owens
1986
Mother Superior
1998
Maggie McNeill
1981
Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
1994
Rev. Mother Mary Regina
1993
Herself
1990