Rue McClanahan

Date of Birth: February 21, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: June 3, 2010

Biography

Rue McClanahan was an American actress best known for her role as the sassy southern belle Blanche Devereaux on the hit television show “The Golden Girls.” She was born Eddi-Rue McClanahan in Healdton, Oklahoma, to Dreda Rheua-Nell, a beautician, and William Edwin McClanahan, a building contractor. Rue grew up in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where she attended Ardmore High School and later studied at the University of Tulsa, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. McClanahan’s acting career began in the theater, where she performed in several off-Broadway productions before making her Broadway debut in “Jimmy Shine” alongside Dustin Hoffman. Her television career took off in the 1970s with a role on the soap opera “Another World” and continued with notable parts on “Maude” and “Mama’s Family.” However, her most iconic role came in 1985 when she joined the cast of “The Golden Girls,” a series that earned her an Emmy Award in 1987. Rue was married six times and was known for her vivacious spirit both on and off the screen. Beyond acting, she was an animal rights advocate and an active supporter of various charitable causes. She passed away on June 3, 2010, due to a stroke, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and memorable performances.

5 Interesting Facts about Rue McClanahan

1. Rue McClanahan was a vegetarian and an ardent animal rights advocate.

2. She wrote a memoir titled “My First Five Husbands… and the Ones Who Got Away,” which was published in 2007.

3. Rue was fluent in French and often incorporated her language skills into her roles.

4. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in “The Golden Girls” in 1987.

5. Rue had a double mastectomy in 1997 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rue McClanahan

1. “I take the longest to get ready of anyone. I’ve been going in and out of the bathroom for six hours.”

2. “Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer.”

3. “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!’”

4. “I think the qualities I look for would be intelligence and humor, honesty, and kindness.”

5. “The world needs more love, not less.”