Rue McClanahan
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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 three years, and after it was canceled by NBC, McClanahan was probably best known for her role as the saucy, sharp southern belle, Blanche, in "The Golden Girls" (1985). She once again worked with Bea Arthur and Betty White, and with relative newcomer Estelle Getty. All four of the women won Emmy Awards for their roles. After Bea Arthur left the show after eight seasons, McClanahan, White and Getty returned for a brief spin-off in "The Golden Palace" (1992). In the mid-nineties, McClanahan was diagnosed with cancer, but was able to fight it successfully. In addition to lending her talents to a number of made for TV films, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen in recent years co-starring with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and with Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers (1997). McClanahan also spends her time joining and helping organizations against cancer, AIDS, and cruelty against animals.
Known for
Credits
Starship Troopers (1997)
as Biology Teacher
Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988)
as Self
Out to Sea (1997)
as Mrs. Carruthers
Annabelle's Wish (1997)
as Scarlett (voice)
The Earth Day Special (1990)
as Blanche Devereaux
They Might Be Giants (1971)
as Daisy Playfair
Mother of the Bride (1993)
as Margaret Hix
The Fighting Temptations (2003)
as Nancy Stringer
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2025)
as Self / Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
This World, Then the Fireworks (1997)
as Mom Lakewood
The Man in the Brown Suit (1989)
as Suzy Blair
NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002)
as Self
Rusty: A Dog's Tale (1998)
as Edna Callahan
Night of 100 Stars III (1990)
as Self
Baby of the Bride (1991)
as Margaret Hix
Betty White: First Lady of Television (2018)
as Self (archive Footage)
Dear God (1996)
as Mom Turner
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series (2003)
as Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
The Dreamer of Oz (1990)
as Matilda Joslyn Gage
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments (2003)
as Self / Blanche Devereaux
The People Next Door (1970)
as Della
The Little Match Girl (1987)
as Frances Dutton
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (1985)
Actor
Take My Daughters, Please (1988)
as Lilah Page
Back to You & Me (2005)
as Helen Ludwick
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story (1994)
as Grandma Stephens
Generation Gap (2008)
as Kay
Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock (2004)
as Mrs. Hardy (voice)
To My Daughter (1990)
as Laura Carlson
Five Minutes to Live (1961)
as Pamela
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force (1978)
as Mat's Mother
The Golden Girls: Ageless (2021)
as Self (archive footage)
A Holiday to Remember (1995)
as Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
Gaze (2010)
as Self (archive footage)
Miracle Dogs (2003)
as Katherine Mannion
The Moving of Sophia Myles (2000)
as Mary-Margaret
Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula (1997)
as Self
Children of the Bride (1990)
as Margaret Becker
Nunsense (1993)
as Rev. Mother Mary Regina
Liberace (1988)
as Frances Liberace
Some of My Best Friends Are... (1971)
as Lita Joyce
A Saintly Switch (1999)
as Aunt Fanny
The Day the Bubble Burst (1982)
as Barbara Arvey
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1989)
Actor
Innocent Victims (1996)
as Marylou Hennis
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls (2021)
as Blanche Devereaux
The Rimers of Eldritch (1972)
as Cora Groves
Nunsense 2: The Sequel (1994)
as Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
The Skin of Our Teeth (1983)
as Fortune Teller
Blade (1973)
as Gail
Nunsense 3: The Jamboree (1998)
as Mother Superior
Modern Love (1990)
as Mrs. Evelyn Parker
After the Shock (1990)
as Sherra Cox
The Women (2002)
as Countess DeLage
Message from Nam (1993)
as Beatrice Andrews
Word of Honor (1981)
as Maggie McNeill
The Wickedest Witch (1989)
as Avarissa
Five Minutes to Love (1963)
as Sally 'Poochie'
A Different Approach (1978)
Actor
Border to Border (1998)
as Mrs. Kirby
How to Succeed with Girls (1964)
as Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
Rainbow (1978)
as Ida Koverman
Gridlock (1980)
as Adele Sherman
Hogan's Goat (1971)
as Josey Finn
Topper (1979)
as Clara Topper
Angel's Flight (1965)
as Dolly
Just Between Us (1961)
Actor
The Grass Eater (1961)
Actor
Picnic (1986)
as Flo Owens
Hollywood After Dark (1961)
as Sandy
Nuncrackers (2001)
as Reverend Mother
Having Babies III (1978)
as Gloria Miles
Rue McClanahan: The Cat Care Video Guide (1990)
as Herself