On this day in 1985, The Golden Girls aired on television, starring four ladies who were all named Disney Legends in 2009. The late Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur received their awards posthumously, while Betty White and Rue McClanahan were on hand for the honor (Ms. McClanahan passed away in 2010).
When the show originally aired, the stars were already showbiz legends
When the show originally aired, the stars were already showbiz legends. Estelle Getty played the feisty and unabashed Sophia, and had appeared as Harvey Fierstein’s mother in Torch Song Trilogy during its original Broadway run. Bea Arthur, who played Sophia’s daughter, the strong-yet-sarcastic Dorothy, had great success in the starring role of Maude, the hit spin-off from TV’s All in the Family. Rue McClanahan, who played the promiscuous Blanche, also appeared in Maude, as Maude’s best friend Vivian. Bea was a singer and stage actress who won a Tony Award® for her performance as Vera Charles in the original cast of Mame. Betty White portrayed the naïve, if not ditzy Rose, and previously was the celebrity guest on many popular game shows including Password, hosted by her late husband Allen Ludden. Betty also found great fame as the man-hungry Sue Ann in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The Golden Girls and the ladies who played them were beloved by fans as well as the Academy. The cast and crew of the show won many golden girls . . . 11 Emmy Awards in all, with each actress winning at least one throughout its seven seasons.
