Rue McClanahan

American actress and comedian (1934-2010)

Person · Open Library

Born: 1934-02-21
Died: 2010-06-03
Works: 1

Top works

My First Five Husbands..And the Ones Who Got Away

via Open Library + Wikidata

Film & TV

Acting · Healdton, Oklahoma, USA

A veteran television actress and Broadway star of the 50s, Rue McClanahan was an actress noticed by television executive, Norman Lear. Lear cast her in a number of television shows, including "All in the Family" (1971) with 'Carroll OConnor' and "Maude" (1972) with Bea Arthur. McClanahan next co-starred with Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Betty White and Carol Burnett in "Mama's Family" (1983) for…

Known for

The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship — Self / Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)2025
Golden Girls 3033 — Blanche Devereaux (voice) (archive sound)2022
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls — Blanche Devereaux2021
The Golden Girls: Ageless — Self (archive footage)2021
Betty White: First Lady of Television — Self (archive Footage)2018
Gaze — Self (archive footage)

Article

Eddi-Rue McClanahan (February 21, 1934 – June 3, 2010) was an American actress, primarily known for her work in television sitcoms. She portrayed Vivian Harmon on Maude (1972–1978), Aunt Fran Crowley on Mama's Family (1983–1984), and Blanche Devereaux on both The Golden Girls (1985–1992) and its spin-off The Golden Palace (1992–1993).

For her performance as Blanche Devereaux, McClanahan received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning the award in 1987. She was also nominated for three Golden Globe Awards for the same role.