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 Actress-comedienne Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922 in New York City to a Jewish family. She grew up in Maryland, where her parents ran a dress shop. At 12 years old, she was the tallest girl in her school at 5'9".She earned the title of "Wittiest Girl" in her school, and her dream was to be in show business, but she didn't think her family would support her. She then worked as a laboratory technician, and in the Marine Corps; she drove a truck, and worked as a typist. Her brief first marriage ended in divorce. Afterwards, she told her parents that she wanted to pursue a career in show business, and they supported her decision to join the New York's Dramatic Workshop for the New School for Social Research.Arthur (her acting name based on a variation of her first husband's surname) played classical and dramatic roles, but it would be years before she found her niche in comedy. Her breakthrough came on stage while appearing in the musical play "The Threepenny Opera," with Lotte Lenya. For one season in the 1950's, she was a regular on Sid Caesar's television show,Caesar's Hour (1954). In 1964, she became truly famous as Yente the Matchmaker, in the original Broadway production of "Fiddler on the Roof". Despite this being a small supporting role, Arthur stole the show night after night.In 1966, she went to work on a new Broadway musical, "Mame", directed by her second husband, Gene Saks, winning a Tony Award for the featured role of Vera Charles. The show's star, Angela Lansbury, also won a Tony Award, and she and Bea became lifelong friends. In 1971, Arthur appeared on the hit sitcom All in the Family (1971) as Maude Findlay, Edith Bunker's cousin, who was forever driving Archie Bunker crazy with her liberal politics. The guest appearance led to Arthur's own series, Maude (1972). The show was a hit, running for six years, during which many controversial topics of the time, including abortion, were tackled, and Bea won her first Emmy Award. While doing Maude (1972), Arthur repeated the role of Vera Charles in the film version of Mame (1974), again directed by Gene Saks, but it was a dismal flop. She also appeared on The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). While appearing in Maude (1972), she raised her two sons, whom she had adopted with husband Gene Saks. After the show ended, so did her marriage to Saks. She never remarried. She became a lifelong animal rights' activist.In 1983, she started working on a new sitcom, Amanda's (1983), patterned after Britain's Fawlty Towers (1975) but it was short-lived. In 1985, The Golden Girls (1985) made its debut. Co-starring Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show was about the lives of three middle-aged women, and one elderly mother, (played by Getty, who was actually younger than White and Arthur), living in Miami. It was an immediate hit, running for seven seasons. All of the cast members, including Arthur, won Emmy Awards during the show's run. She left when she thought each show was at its peak. The producers realized the shows wouldn't be the same without her. In 1992, The Golden Girls (1985) was canceled. Arthur kept a low profile, appearing in only two movies: For Better or Worse (1995) and Enemies of Laughter (2000).In 1999, Arthur made an appearance at The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller (1999). She did a one-woman stage show in 2001, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. In 2003, she reunited with Betty White and Rue McClanahan for The Golden Girls (1985) reunion special on the Lifetime Channel. Noticeably absent was supporting actress Estelle Getty, who was ill. The three lead actresses made appearances together for the rest of the decade to promote DVD releases of The Golden Girls (1985). They appeared together for the last time in 1998, at the TV Land Awards, receiving a standing ovation as they accepted the Pop Culture Award. She attended her induction into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, with Angela Lansbury.On April 25, 2009, at home with her family, Arthur died of cancer. She was 86. She was survived by her two sons, Matthew and Daniel, and her grandchildren, Kyra and Violet. In her will, she left $300,000 to New York's Ali Forney Center, an organization supporting homeless LGBT youths.
Bio:
Actress-comedienne Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922 in New York City to a Jewish family. She grew up in Maryland, where her parents ran a dress shop. At 12 years old, she was the tallest girl in her school at 5'9".She earned the title of "Wittiest Girl" in her school, and her dream was to be in show business, but she didn't think her family would support her. She then worked as a laboratory technician, and in the Marine Corps; she drove a truck, and worked as a typist. Her brief first marriage ended in divorce. Afterwards, she told her parents that she wanted to pursue a career in show business, and they supported her decision to join the New York's Dramatic Workshop for the New School for Social Research.Arthur (her acting name based on a variation of her first husband's surname) played classical and dramatic roles, but it would be years before she found her niche in comedy. Her breakthrough came on stage while appearing in the musical play "The Threepenny Opera," with Lotte Lenya. For one season in the 1950's, she was a regular on Sid Caesar's television show,Caesar's Hour (1954). In 1964, she became truly famous as Yente the Matchmaker, in the original Broadway production of "Fiddler on the Roof". Despite this being a small supporting role, Arthur stole the show night after night.In 1966, she went to work on a new Broadway musical, "Mame", directed by her second husband, Gene Saks, winning a Tony Award for the featured role of Vera Charles. The show's star, Angela Lansbury, also won a Tony Award, and she and Bea became lifelong friends. In 1971, Arthur appeared on the hit sitcom All in the Family (1971) as Maude Findlay, Edith Bunker's cousin, who was forever driving Archie Bunker crazy with her liberal politics. The guest appearance led to Arthur's own series, Maude (1972). The show was a hit, running for six years, during which many controversial topics of the time, including abortion, were tackled, and Bea won her first Emmy Award. While doing Maude (1972), Arthur repeated the role of Vera Charles in the film version of Mame (1974), again directed by Gene Saks, but it was a dismal flop. She also appeared on The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). While appearing in Maude (1972), she raised her two sons, whom she had adopted with husband Gene Saks. After the show ended, so did her marriage to Saks. She never remarried. She became a lifelong animal rights' activist.In 1983, she started working on a new sitcom, Amanda's (1983), patterned after Britain's Fawlty Towers (1975) but it was short-lived. In 1985, The Golden Girls (1985) made its debut. Co-starring Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show was about the lives of three middle-aged women, and one elderly mother, (played by Getty, who was actually younger than White and Arthur), living in Miami. It was an immediate hit, running for seven seasons. All of the cast members, including Arthur, won Emmy Awards during the show's run. She left when she thought each show was at its peak. The producers realized the shows wouldn't be the same without her. In 1992, The Golden Girls (1985) was canceled. Arthur kept a low profile, appearing in only two movies: For Better or Worse (1995) and Enemies of Laughter (2000).In 1999, Arthur made an appearance at The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller (1999). She did a one-woman stage show in 2001, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. In 2003, she reunited with Betty White and Rue McClanahan for The Golden Girls (1985) reunion special on the Lifetime Channel. Noticeably absent was supporting actress Estelle Getty, who was ill. The three lead actresses made appearances together for the rest of the decade to promote DVD releases of The Golden Girls (1985). They appeared together for the last time in 1998, at the TV Land Awards, receiving a standing ovation as they accepted the Pop Culture Award. She attended her induction into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, with Angela Lansbury.On April 25, 2009, at home with her family, Arthur died of cancer. She was 86. She was survived by her two sons, Matthew and Daniel, and her grandchildren, Kyra and Violet. In her will, she left $300,000 to New York's Ali Forney Center, an organization supporting homeless LGBT youths.
Tivia:
In May 2013 a nude painting of her sold for $1.9 million in New York City.Remained a big fan of The Golden Girls (1985) long after the show ended, proudly watching old reruns. She said, "Sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night AND think of a line and start to laugh. The writing was brilliant".Was a qualified medical technician.Just a few days after her death, the Broadway community paid tribute to Arthur by dimming the marquees of New York City's Broadway theater district in her memory for one minute at 8:00 p.m.Since appearing together in "Mame," she and Angela Lansbury were best friends. She spoke fondly of the friendship in her one-woman show.She served in the Marine Corps during World War II.Before she was a successful actress and comedienne, Bea Arthur was one of the first women to become an active-duty United States Marine. She volunteered and served during World War II as a truck driver and as a typist. She was stationed at Marine Corps and Navy air stations in Virginia and North Carolina. During her military career, Arthur's rank rose from private to corporal to sergeant to staff sergeant, the title she held upon her honorable discharge in September 1945.Legally changed her name from Bernice Frankel to Bea Arthur, a variation of Robert Alan Aurthur's surname, whom she wed in 1947.In an interview after Arthur's death, ex-The Golden Girls (1985) co-star, Betty White said Arthur wasn't too fond of White. Arthur had found her a pain in the neck sometimes and White would set her off.On 8 June 2008 her show The Golden Girls (1985) was awarded the Pop Culture award at the Sixth Annual TV Land Awards. Arthur accepted the award with Rue McClanahan and Betty White. It was Arthur's last public appearance.Began her show Maude (1972) at age 50.Met first husband Robert Alan Aurthur, at the time a Marine, the year after her enlistment in the Marines.Was 5'9-1/2" by the time she was 12 years old.Before becoming a successful actress and comedienne, she was employed to sing on weekends, occasionally, for $2 a night, in Cambridge, Maryland.According to a television interview, Arthur claimed that her start in comedy came when she was only a lounge singer. Apparently, when she got up on stage to sing torch songs, the audience would laugh at her because of her deep voice and her height. The nightclub manager then approached her and told her she was in the wrong business. She should be doing comedy instead.Though Estelle Getty played her mother in The Golden Girls (1985), Estelle was one year younger than Bea.After her death The Ali Forney Center, a New York not-for-profit agency devoted to providing emergency shelter, medical services, and help getting off the streets to young lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender homeless people, learned that she had left them $300,000.00 in her will. The center plans to use the bequest to buy a building that will become permanent housing for some of these youths. The center plans to name the building The Bea Arthur Residence for LGBT Homeless Youth.Met second husband Gene Saks, while in acting school, in 1949.Dorothy Zbornak, her character from The Golden Girls (1985) was based on creator Susan Harris.In 1966 she won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in "Mame", a part she recreated in the film version by the same name, Mame (1974).Once appeared on Judge Judy (1996) as a witness for a defendant who was involved with the animal rights organization PETA. The defendant won.She and Golden Girls costar Estelle Getty were posthumously inducted as Disney Legends in 2009. Betty White and Rue McClanahan were also inducted the same year.Classmate of Marlon Brando.Survived by her two sons, Matthew Saks (born July 14, 1961) and Daniel Saks (born May 8, 1964), whom she and former husband Gene Saks adopted at birth.Former college classmate of: Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Harry Belafonte and Rod Steiger.When she was a young girl, she used to do Mae West imitations.Her son, Daniel Saks, was the set designer for the sitcom Dharma & Greg (1997).Met Carroll O'Connor, in 1964, when he was doing a play called "Ullysees in Nighttown." Eight years later, Arthur guest-starred on 2 episodes of All in the Family (1971), before she starred in the spin-off Maude (1972).Future actors Ron Howard, Tom Hanks and future comediennes/comedians Graham Elwood, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Leah Remini, all said Arthur was their childhood television heroine.In 2002 she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for her one-woman show "Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends".Acting mentor and friend of Adrienne Barbeau.Enjoyed spending time with her family, singing, collecting antique furniture, traveling, gardening, taking care of pets and dancing.Bea Arthur passed away on April 25, 2009, just 2 and 1/2 weeks short of her 87th birthday.Instructed her family that no funeral be held after her passing.Considered Amanda's (1983) and an episode of Saturday Night Live (1975) as her worst career experiences. She also regretted the film version of Mame (1974), directed by her then-husband Gene Saks.She was frequently referenced in dialogue as being the favorite actress and an icon to the Marvel Comics' character Deadpool.She retired from acting, at the age of 83, after her last guest-starring role on Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000).Got a phone call from Norman Lear, about guest-starring on a few episodes of All in the Family (1971). Lear strongly insisted on her doing it, despite Arthur hating flying. She agreed to take the role, for a few episodes, at the very last minute, and it led onto her starring role on Maude (1972).Bea Arthur passed away on April 25, 2009. Her ex-The Golden Girls (1985) co-star, Estelle Getty, passed away 1 year before her in July 2008.Was the only regular cast member of The Golden Girls (1985) who didn't go on to star in the spin-off series The Golden Palace (1992). She guest starred in one episode.When she was starring in Maude (1972), she too part in an episode about abortion. Even though abortion was legal in New York State, it was illegal in many other regions of the country, resulting in the episode sparking controversy. As a result, dozens of affiliates refused to broadcast the episode when it was originally scheduled, substituting either a repeat from earlier in the season or a Thanksgiving TV special in its place. However, by the summer rerun season six months later all the flak had died down, and the stations that refused to air the episode upon its first run reinstated it for the reruns. As a result, a reported 65 million viewers watched the two episode arc either in their first run that November or during the following summer as a rerun.She was a lifelong liberal Democrat and over the years she was in support of Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Adlai Stevenson, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. She was also a donor to the Democratic National Committee and, like her trademark characters Maude Findlay and Dorothy Zbornak; her Democratic concepts constantly coincided with her views on education, women's rights, gay liberation, and economics.Her former Maude (1972) co-star, Adrienne Barbeau, was reunited with her on The View (1997), in 2007. They were there to promote the DVD release of the first season of Maude.Remained good friends with Adrienne Barbeau during and after Maude (1972).Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide six times.Arthur's first husband Robert Alan Aurthur died of lung cancer in 1978.Claimed that co-star Esther Rolle didn't display any comedic talent on Maude (1972), until she was given her own show Good Times (1974). She would quote Maude writer Arthur Julian statement about Rolle: "My name is Esther Rolle. I don't do windows, and I don't do comedy.".Longtime friends of Doris Roberts and Shirley MacLaine.As a girl, Arthur attended Linden Hall School for Girls, an all girls school in Lititz, Pennsylvania, where she was voted "The Wittiest Girl in High School". Later she attended Blackstone College for Girls in Blackstone, Virginia, where she was active in drama productions.Resided in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, California, for 37 years, from 1972-2009. She sublet her apartment on Central Park West in New York City and her country home in Bedford, New York. |
| Name: |
Bea Arthur |
Type: |
Actress,Soundtrack (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actress,Soundtrack |
| Products for sale: |
Actress,Soundtrack |
| Model rank: |
74 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:22:18 |
| Height: |
5' 9?' (1.77 m) |
| Biography: |
Actress-comedienne Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922 in New York City to a Jewish family. She grew up in Maryland, where her parents ran a dress shop. At 12 years old, she was the tallest girl in her school at 5\'9\".She earned |
| Trivia: |
In May 2013 a nude painting of her sold for $1.9 million in New York City.Remained a big fan of The Golden Girls (1985) long after the show ended, proudly watching old reruns. She said, "Sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night AND think of a line and start to laugh. The writing was brilliant".Was a qualified medical technician.Just a few days after her death, the Broadway community paid tribute to Arthur by dimming the marquees of New York City's Broadway theater district in her memory for one minute at 8:00 p.m.Since appearing together in "Mame," she and Angela Lansbury were best friends. She spoke fondly of the friendship in her one-woman show.She served in the Marine Corps during World War II.Before she was a successful actress and comedienne, Bea Arthur was one of the first women to become an active-duty United States Marine. She volunteered and served during World War II as a truck driver and as a typist. She was stationed at Marine Corps and Navy air stations in Virginia and North Carolina. During her military career, Arthur's rank rose from private to corporal to sergeant to staff sergeant, the title she held upon her honorable discharge in September 1945.Legally changed her name from Bernice Frankel to Bea Arthur, a variation of Robert Alan Aurthur's surname, whom she wed in 1947.In an interview after Arthur's death, ex-The Golden Girls (1985) co-star, Betty White said Arthur wasn't too fond of White. Arthur had found her a pain in the neck sometimes and White would set her off.On 8 June 2008 her show The Golden Girls (1985) was awarded the Pop Culture award at the Sixth Annual TV Land Awards. Arthur accepted the award with Rue McClanahan and Betty White. It was Arthur's last public appearance.Began her show Maude (1972) at age 50.Met first husband Robert Alan Aurthur, at the time a Marine, the year after her enlistment in the Marines.Was 5'9-1/2" by the time she was 12 years old.Before becoming a successful actress and comedienne, she was employed to sing on weekends, occasionally, for $2 a night, in Cambridge, Maryland.According to a television interview, Arthur claimed that her start in comedy came when she was only a lounge singer. Apparently, when she got up on stage to sing torch songs, the audience would laugh at her because of her deep voice and her height. The nightclub manager then approached her and told her she was in the wrong business. She should be doing comedy instead.Though Estelle Getty played her mother in The Golden Girls (1985), Estelle was one year younger than Bea.After her death The Ali Forney Center, a New York not-for-profit agency devoted to providing emergency shelter, medical services, and help getting off the streets to young lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender homeless people, learned that she had left them $300,000.00 in her will. The center plans to use the bequest to buy a building that will become permanent housing for some of these youths. The center plans to name the building The Bea Arthur Residence for LGBT Homeless Youth.Met second husband Gene Saks, while in acting school, in 1949.Dorothy Zbornak, her character from The Golden Girls (1985) was based on creator Susan Harris.In 1966 she won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in "Mame", a part she recreated in the film version by the same name, Mame (1974).Once appeared on Judge Judy (1996) as a witness for a defendant who was involved with the animal rights organization PETA. The defendant won.She and Golden Girls costar Estelle Getty were posthumously inducted as Disney Legends in 2009. Betty White and Rue McClanahan were also inducted the same year.Classmate of Marlon Brando.Survived by her two sons, Matthew Saks (born July 14, 1961) and Daniel Saks (born May 8, 1964), whom she and former husband Gene Saks adopted at birth.Former college classmate of: Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Harry Belafonte and Rod Steiger.When she was a young girl, she used to do Mae West imitations.Her son, Daniel Saks, was the set designer for the sitcom Dharma & Greg (1997).Met Carroll O'Connor, in 1964, when he was doing a play called "Ullysees in Nighttown." Eight years later, Arthur guest-starred on 2 episodes of All in the Family (1971), before she starred in the spin-off Maude (1972).Future actors Ron Howard, Tom Hanks and future comediennes/comedians Graham Elwood, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Leah Remini, all said Arthur was their childhood television heroine.In 2002 she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for her one-woman show "Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends".Acting mentor and friend of Adrienne Barbeau.Enjoyed spending time with her family, singing, collecting antique furniture, traveling, gardening, taking care of pets and dancing.Bea Arthur passed away on April 25, 2009, just 2 and 1/2 weeks short of her 87th birthday.Instructed her family that no funeral be held after her passing.Considered Amanda's (1983) and an episode of Saturday Night Live (1975) as her worst career experiences. She also regretted the film version of Mame (1974), directed by her then-husband Gene Saks.She was frequently referenced in dialogue as being the favorite actress and an icon to the Marvel Comics' character Deadpool.She retired from acting, at the age of 83, after her last guest-starring role on Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000).Got a phone call from Norman Lear, about guest-starring on a few episodes of All in the Family (1971). Lear strongly insisted on her doing it, despite Arthur hating flying. She agreed to take the role, for a few episodes, at the very last minute, and it led onto her starring role on Maude (1972).Bea Arthur passed away on April 25, 2009. Her ex-The Golden Girls (1985) co-star, Estelle Getty, passed away 1 year before her in July 2008.Was the only regular cast member of The Golden Girls (1985) who didn't go on to star in the spin-off series The Golden Palace (1992). She guest starred in one episode.When she was starring in Maude (1972), she too part in an episode about abortion. Even though abortion was legal in New York State, it was illegal in many other regions of the country, resulting in the episode sparking controversy. As a result, dozens of affiliates refused to broadcast the episode when it was originally scheduled, substituting either a repeat from earlier in the season or a Thanksgiving TV special in its place. However, by the summer rerun season six months later all the flak had died down, and the stations that refused to air the episode upon its first run reinstated it for the reruns. As a result, a reported 65 million viewers watched the two episode arc either in their first run that November or during the following summer as a rerun.She was a lifelong liberal Democrat and over the years she was in support of Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Adlai Stevenson, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. She was also a donor to the Democratic National Committee and, like her trademark characters Maude Findlay and Dorothy Zbornak; her Democratic concepts constantly coincided with her views on education, women's rights, gay liberation, and economics.Her former Maude (1972) co-star, Adrienne Barbeau, was reunited with her on The View (1997), in 2007. They were there to promote the DVD release of the first season of Maude.Remained good friends with Adrienne Barbeau during and after Maude (1972).Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide six times.Arthur's first husband Robert Alan Aurthur died of lung cancer in 1978.Claimed that co-star Esther Rolle didn't display any comedic talent on Maude (1972), until she was given her own show Good Times (1974). She would quote Maude writer Arthur Julian statement about Rolle: "My name is Esther Rolle. I don't do windows, and I don't do comedy.".Longtime friends of Doris Roberts and Shirley MacLaine.As a girl, Arthur attended Linden Hall School for Girls, an all girls school in Lititz, Pennsylvania, where she was voted "The Wittiest Girl in High School". Later she attended Blackstone College for Girls in Blackstone, Virginia, where she was active in drama productions.Resided in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, California, for 37 years, from 1972-2009. She sublet her apartment on Central Park West in New York City and her country home in Bedford, New York. |
| Trademarks: |
Husky resonant voice
Caustic, acid wit
Deadpan delivery
Usually played roles that reflected upon liberalism and feminism
The catchphrase, "God Will Get You For That!" |
| Quotes: |
All this time I've just wanted to be blonde, beautiful and 5 feet 2 inches tall.
<br />
<hr>
I really feel all my adult life has been spent in that little black box. If a wonderful part on TV came along I would do it. But I don't want to do a recurring role. It would just be my luck that the thing would be successful. I'm old enough now and also secure enough financially that I really only want to do what I want to do.
<br />
<hr>
At least I'm not playing other people for a change. It's a very odd place to be... I feel I'm an actress who sings a bit.
<br />
<hr>
After being in the business for such a long time, I've done everything but rodeo and porno.
<br />
<hr>
And I hate autobiographies, I don't know why. |
| Salaries: |
The Perry Como Show (1968) - $650 per episode |
| Job title: |
Actress,Soundtrack |
| Others works: |
(3/19/06) Stage: "An Evening with Bea Arthur" at the Center of Performing Arts Governors State University, University Park, IL.
(2/24-2/25/06) Stage: "An Evening with Bea Arthur" at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scott |
| Spouse: |
Gene Saks (May 28, 1950 - June 27, 1978) (divorced, 2 children)Robert Alan Aurthur (1947 - 1948) (divorced) |
| Children: |
Matthew SaksDaniel Saks |
| Parents: |
Philip Frankel
Rebecca Pressner |
|
