Bea Arthur
Born: 1922-05-13 in New York City, New York, USA
Died: 2009-04-25
Known For: Acting
Biography
Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress and comedian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Arthur began her career on stage in 1947, attracting critical acclaim before achieving worldwide recognition for her work on television beginning in the 1970s as Maude Findlay in the popular sitcoms All in the Family (1971–1972) and Maude (1972–1978) and later in the 1980s and 1990s as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls (1985–1992). She won several accolades throughout her career, beginning with the 1966 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in Mame. She won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1977 for Maude and 1988 for The Golden Girls. Arthur has received the third most nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series with nine; only Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11) and Mary Tyler Moore (10) have more. She was inducted into the academy's Television Hall of Fame in 2008. Her film appearances include Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and the film version of Mame (1974). In 2002, she starred in the one-woman show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends. An obituary described Arthur as "the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star." She served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve in World War II.
Filmography
2025
- The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
2023
- Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed as Self (archive footage)
2022
- Golden Girls 3033 as Dorothy Zbornak (voice) (archive sound)
2021
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age as Self
- The Golden Girls: Ageless as Self (archive footage)
- Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls as Dorothy Zbornak
2018
- Betty White: First Lady of Television as Self (archive Footage)
2016
- O.J.: Made in America as Self (archive footage)
2007
2005
2004
- Broadway's Lost Treasures II as Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
2003
- The Terry and Gaby Show
- Comedy Central Roasts as Self
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There as Self
- The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments as Self / Dorothy Zbornak
- The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series as Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
2000
- Malcolm in the Middle as Mrs. White
- Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry's Mother
- Enemies of Laughter as Paul's Mother
1999
- Futurama as Femputer (voice)
- Beggars and Choosers
- The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller as Self
1998
- So Graham Norton as Self - Guest
- Emily of New Moon as The Voice
1997
- The View as Self
1996
- Judge Judy as Self - Defendant's Witness
- A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury as Self
1995
- For Better or Worse as Beverly Makeshift
1994
- Ellen as Bea Arthur
- Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl as Self
1993
- Intimate Portrait as Self
- Dave's World as Mel Bloom
1992
- The Golden Palace as Dorothy Hollingsworth
1991
- Boulevard Bio as Self
1990
- Night of 100 Stars III as Self
- The Earth Day Special as Dorothy Zbornak
1988
- Empty Nest as Dorothy Zbornak
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC as Self (archive footage)
- Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration as Self
- My First Love as Jean Miller
- Mickey's 60th Birthday as Self
1987
- Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour as Self
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood as Self
1986
- All Star Party for Clint Eastwood as Self
- Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary as Self
1985
- The Golden Girls as Dorothy Zbornak
1984
- P.O.P. as Rosalyn Gordon
- a.k.a. Pablo
1983
- Amanda's as Amanda Cartwright
1982
- Night of 100 Stars as Self
1981
- History of the World: Part I as Dole office clerk (uncredited)
1980
- The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's as Self
- The Beatrice Arthur Special as Herself
1978
- The Star Wars Holiday Special as Ackmena
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1972
- Maude as Maude Findlay
1971
- All in the Family as Maude Findlay
1970
- Lovers and Other Strangers as Bea Vecchio
1962
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self - Co-Host
1959
- That Kind of Woman as WAC (uncredited)
1958
- The Gift of the Magi as Mrs. Abercrombie
1956
- Tony Awards as Self - Host
1954
1952
1951
- Hallmark Hall of Fame as Mrs. Abercrombie
1948
- Studio One
- Bambi as Self