Bea Arthur
Date of birth: 1922-05-13
Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA
Known for: Acting
Also known as: Beatrice 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.
Movie Credits
History of the World: Part I
1981-06-12
An uproarious version of history that proves nothing is sacred – not even the Roman Empire, the Fren
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
2021-09-14
For the first time on the big screen, celebrate The Golden Girls with a special screening of some of
That Kind of Woman
1959-09-11
A young G.I. falls in love with a kept woman on a train to New York.
Broadway's Lost Treasures II
2004-10-26
The annual Tony Award broadcast provides the only filmed record of Broadway's best for audiences to
Mame
1974-03-07
The madcap life of eccentric Mame Dennis and her bohemian, intellectual arty clique is disrupted whe
The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's
1980-01-04
A look back at the people, events, music, and trends of the 1970s.
Lovers and Other Strangers
1970-08-12
Mike Vecchio and Susan Henderson are preparing for their upcoming wedding. However, they seem to be
Betty White: First Lady of Television
2018-08-18
The definitive look at Betty White's life and career. As the only authorized documentary on Betty ev
The Star Wars Holiday Special
1978-11-17
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo battle evil Imperial forces to help Chewbacca reach his imperiled family
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
1999-10-27
The annual roast of the Friars Club, a fraternal organization for comedians, is a big honor - and ye
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003-04-03
Broadway: The Golden Age is the most important, ambitious and comprehensive film ever made about Ame
For Better or Worse
1995-03-19
A comic love triangle wherein a loser falls in love with his recently-married brother's wife.
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988-05-16
Stars celebrate Bob Hope's 50 years with NBC.
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
2023-06-20
This timely exploration of Hollywood and LGBTQ+ identity examines the life of legendary actor Rock H
Enemies of Laughter
2000-11-10
Nerdy-looking Paul is a neurotic, failed sitcom writer, with a lackluster love life. But his best pa
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour
1987-11-25
Jay Leno hosts "Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour," a one hour special featuring a humorous look at the
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
2003-06-02
A 90-minute special reuniting the main cast of the American sitcom, "The Golden Girls", where they s
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988-05-27
The life, career, and music of Irving Berlin are celebrated live on stage with musical performances.
Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson
2005-08-14
Comedy Central's best roasters and stand up comedians take a whack at actor/model Pamela Anderson.
Night of 100 Stars III
1990-05-21
A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.
Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary
1986-11-09
The Walt Disney World resort turned 15 years old in 1986. On November 9, 1986, ABC aired Walt Disne
The Golden Girls: Ageless
2021-03-13
During seven years of cheesecake and massive laughs, "The Golden Girls" was TV's unlikeliest hit; pa
O.J.: Made in America
2016-05-20
A chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent
My First Love
1988-12-04
Widow Jean Miller thinks she's ready for a new romance with her high school sweetheart, Sam Morrisse
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
2003-01-01
Lifetime's "Intimate Portrait" series shines a spotlight on the Golden Girls -- Bea Arthur, Betty Wh
Mickey's 60th Birthday
1988-11-13
This film combines live action/original animation and library animation. Mickey steals a magic hat f
The Beatrice Arthur Special
1980-01-19
The Beatrice Arthur Special was a prime time U.S. television special broadcast on CBS on January 19,
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
1996-11-17
Broadway salute to Tony Award-winning actress Angela Lansbury in a star-packed gala November 17,1996
Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl
1994-03-04
He hasn't had a new Broadway show since 1983's La Cage Aux Folles, but composer Jerry Herman has bec
The Gift of the Magi
1958-12-09
A musical version of O. Henry's famous Christmas story.
P.O.P.
1984-08-16
A magazine editor battles her ex-con husband when he returns to the scene after a 21-year absence.
Night of 100 Stars
1982-03-08
The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took place
The Earth Day Special
1990-04-22
The Earth Day Special is a television special revolving around Earth Day that aired on ABC on April
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
2021-08-14
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age explores the world of Broadway from 1959 through the early 1980s as
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987-05-18
A TV special on the 100th anniversary of the birth of film.
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
1986-11-30
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship
2025-11-11
The special celebrates the 40th anniversary of the beloved sitcom and features interviews with the s
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985-09-16
The NBC All Star Hour (1985) was a one-hour primetime television special that brought together stars