Bea Arthur
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (29)
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
2025
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
as Self (archive footage)
2023
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
as Dorothy Zbornak
2021
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
as Self
2021
The Golden Girls: Ageless
as Self (archive footage)
2021
Betty White: First Lady of Television
as Self (archive Footage)
2018
O.J.: Made in America
as Self (archive footage)
2016
Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson
as Self
2005
Broadway's Lost Treasures II
as Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
2004
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak
2003
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
as Self
2003
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
as Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
2003
Enemies of Laughter
as Paul's Mother
2000
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
as Self
1999
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
as Self
1996
For Better or Worse
as Beverly Makeshift
1995
Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl
as Self
1994
Night of 100 Stars III
as Self
1990
The Earth Day Special
as Dorothy Zbornak
1990
My First Love
as Jean Miller
1988
Mickey's 60th Birthday
as Self
1988
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
as Self
1988
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
as Self (archive footage)
1988
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour
as Self
1987
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
as Self
1987
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
as Self
1986
Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary
as Self
1986
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985
P.O.P.
as Rosalyn Gordon
1984
TV Shows (21)
Golden Girls 3033
as Dorothy Zbornak (voice) (archive sound)
2022
Back to the Grind
2007
Comedy Central Roasts
as Self
2003
The Terry and Gaby Show
2003
Curb Your Enthusiasm
as Larry's Mother
2000
Malcolm in the Middle
as Mrs. White
2000
Beggars and Choosers
1999
Futurama
as Femputer (voice)
1999
So Graham Norton
as Self - Guest
1998
Emily of New Moon
as The Voice
1998
The View
as Self
1997
Judge Judy
as Self - Defendant's Witness
1996
Ellen
as Bea Arthur
1994
Intimate Portrait
as Self
1993
Dave's World
as Mel Bloom
1993
The Golden Palace
as Dorothy Hollingsworth
1992
Boulevard Bio
as Self
1991
Empty Nest
as Dorothy Zbornak
1988
The Golden Girls
as Dorothy Zbornak
1985
a.k.a. Pablo
1984
Amanda's
as Amanda Cartwright
1983