Date of Birth: May 13, 1922
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: April 25, 2009
Biography
Bea Arthur, born Bernice Frankel, was an American actress and comedian known for her distinctive voice, strong presence, and comedic timing. She was born on May 13, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York. Arthur began her career on stage, earning a Tony Award for her role in “Mame.” She gained widespread fame for her television roles as Maude Findlay on the sitcom “Maude” (1972-1978) and as Dorothy Zbornak on “The Golden Girls” (1985-1992). Arthur’s career spanned seven decades, during which she became a beloved figure in American television. Her performances were marked by a unique combination of sharp wit and deep empathy, making her characters both humorous and relatable. She passed away on April 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of television’s most memorable actresses.
5 Interesting Facts about Bea Arthur
1. Bea Arthur served in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve during World War II.
2. She won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in “Mame” in 1966.
3. Arthur was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and an active supporter of AIDS-related causes.
4. She had a deep, contralto singing voice that was featured prominently in her television and stage roles.
5. Bea Arthur was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 2008, the year before her death.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bea Arthur
1. “I’m not playing a role. I’m being myself, whatever the hell that is.”
2. “I think the best comedy comes from honesty.”
3. “You know, I spend most of my life turning things down. There’s a lot of crap out there.”
4. “You know, one of the things I love about television is that it reaches out, it touches people.”
5. “I’ve never been in this business for the fame or the money. I’ve always been in it to do good work.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Bea Arthur’s net worth was estimated to be around $8 million.
Children
Bea Arthur had two adopted sons with her second husband, Gene Saks: Matthew Saks and Daniel Saks.
Relevant Links
1. [Bea Arthur – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0037735/
2. [Biography of Bea Arthur – Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/actor/bea-arthur
3. [Bea Arthur – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bea_Arthur
5. [Bea Arthur – The Golden Girls Fan Site](http://www.thegoldengirlsfanclub.com/bea-arthur.html