Actress Bea Arthur, Star of TV's Golden Girls, Dies at 86- LOS ANGELES — A family spokesman for Bea Arthur says the star of TV's "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" has died.
Spokesman Dan Watt says the 86-year-old Arthur died at home early Saturday. He says Arthur had cancer, but he declined to give further details.
The tall, deep-voiced actress won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame" and Emmy Awards for "The Golden Girls" and "Maude." Arthur's razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines helped make the sitcoms hits and turned the veteran stage and film actress into a popular TV star.
Arthur first appeared as the character Maude in the 1970s landmark comedy series "All in the Family," making guest appearances as the loudly outspoken, liberal in-law of blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor).
I know that, for some reason, Bea is held as a gay icon, and all that, but I just never got that.
I mean, I'm sad she's gone and didn't realize she was 86.
But any self-respecting gay man who holes up to watch THE GOLDEN GIRLS doesn't deserve to get laid by either gender.
