Rue McClanahan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rue McClanahan
McClanahan in a publicity portrait for The Joe Franklin Show, c. 1972
Born	Eddi-Rue McClanahan (1934-02-21)February 21, 1934 Healdton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	June 3, 2010(2010-06-03) (aged 76) New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Tulsa
Occupation	Actress comedian author fashion designer
Years active	1957–2010
Television	Maude Mama's Family The Golden Girls The Golden Palace
Spouse(s)	Tom Bish ​ ​ (m. 1958; div. 1959)​ Norman Hartweg ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1961)​ Peter DeMaio ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1971)​ Gus Fisher ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1981)​ Tom Keel ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 1986)​ Morrow Wilson ​ ​ (m. 1997; separated 2009)​
Children	1
Relatives	Amelia Kinkade (niece)

Eddi-Rue McClanahan (February 21, 1934 – June 3, 2010) was an American actress and comedian. She was famous for her roles on TV shows like Maude, Mama's Family, and especially The Golden Girls. For her role as Blanche Devereaux in The Golden Girls, she won an Emmy Award in 1987.

Early Life and Education

Rue McClanahan was born in Healdton, Oklahoma, on February 21, 1934. Her mother, Dreda, was a beautician, and her father, William, was a building contractor.

She grew up in Ardmore, Oklahoma. She was part of the Methodist church. She also had Irish and Choctaw family roots. Her great-grandfather was named Running Hawk.

Rue graduated from Ardmore High School. There, she loved acting in school plays. She also won a gold medal for her speaking skills. She was a member of the National Honor Society. Later, she went to the University of Tulsa. She earned a degree with honors, studying both German and Theatre.

Acting Career Highlights

Rue McClanahan started her acting career on stage. Her first professional play was Inherit the Wind in Pennsylvania in 1957. She began acting in New York City in 1957. She made her Broadway debut in 1969 in the play Jimmy Shine.

Early Television Roles

Her role as Caroline Johnson on the TV show Another World (1970–1971) helped her become known. After that, she joined the show Where the Heart Is.

Rue McClanahan (left) with Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, and Vincent Gardenia in 1972.

Rue also worked with actress Beatrice Arthur on the TV show Maude (1972–1978). Rue played Vivian Cavender, Maude's best friend. Vivian later married Maude's neighbor, Dr. Arthur Harmon.

After Maude, Rue starred in a show called Apple Pie. However, it only aired two episodes.

Becoming a TV Star

On Mama's Family (1983–1984), Rue played Fran Crowley. Fran was an uptight sister to Mama Thelma Harper. Betty White, who would later be her co-star, was also in this show.

Rue McClanahan became very famous for her role as Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls (1985–1992). Blanche was a fun-loving Southern woman who owned the house where she lived with her three best friends: Dorothy (Beatrice Arthur), Rose (Betty White), and Sophia (Estelle Getty). Rue won an Emmy Award in 1987 for this role. She was nominated for the award four times.

She continued playing Blanche in the show's follow-up, The Golden Palace (1992–1993).

Film and Guest Appearances

Rue also acted in movies. She appeared in Out to Sea (1997) with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. She played Matilda Joslyn Gage in the TV movie The Dreamer of Oz (1990).

She made guest appearances on many popular TV shows. These included Murder, She Wrote and Newhart. She also lent her voice to cartoons like Annabelle's Wish (1997) and King of the Hill (2007). She was the voice of Anastasia Hardy in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. She played a biology teacher in the movie Starship Troopers (1997). In 2009, she appeared in an episode of Law & Order.

Later Stage Work

In 2005, Rue joined the Broadway musical Wicked. She played the role of Madame Morrible for eight months.

Her autobiography, My First Five Husbands ... and the Ones Who Got Away, was released in 2007. Her final acting role was in the TV series Sordid Lives in 2008.

Activism and Causes

Rue McClanahan cared deeply about animals. She was a vegetarian and supported People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). She also supported Alley Cat Allies, an organization that helps cats.

She was also a strong supporter of gay rights. She spoke out for same-sex marriage in the United States. In 2009, she took part in a concert to support equal rights.

Personal Life and Legacy

Rue McClanahan was married several times and had one son, Mark Bish.

She passed away on June 3, 2010, at the age of 76, due to a brain hemorrhage. Her co-star and friend, Betty White, said Rue was a "close and dear friend."

In 2017, a Golden Girls-themed cafe called Rue La Rue Cafe opened in New York City. It was owned by her friend Michael La Rue, who decorated it with many of Rue's personal items. The cafe closed later that year.

Awards and Recognition

Rue McClanahan's handprints at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2007.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Rue McClanahan para niños