Bea 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.

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Malcolm in the Middle

The Mike Douglas Show

Futurama

The View

All Movies (39)

• The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship -- A Special Edition of 20/202025 · as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
• Henry Fonda for President2025 · as Maude (archival footage)
• Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls2021 · as Dorothy Zbornak
• Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age2021 · as Self
• The Golden Girls: Ageless2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Betty White: First Lady of Television2018 · as Self (archive Footage)
• O.J.: Made in America2016 · as Self (archive footage)
• Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson2005 · as Self
• Broadway's Lost Treasures II2004 · as Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
• The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments2003 · as Self / Dorothy Zbornak
• Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There2003 · as Self
• The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series2003 · as Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
• Enemies of Laughter2000 · as Paul's Mother
• The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller1999 · as Self
• A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury1996 · as Self
• For Better or Worse1995 · as Beverly Makeshift
• Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl1994 · as Self
• Night of 100 Stars III1990 · as Self
• The Earth Day Special1990 · as Dorothy Zbornak
• My First Love1988 · as Jean Miller
• Mickey's 60th Birthday1988 · as Self
• Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration1988 · as Self
• Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC1988 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour1987 · as Self
• Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood1987 · as Self
• All Star Party for Clint Eastwood1986 · as Self (uncredited)
• Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary1986 · as Self
• The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There1985
• P.O.P.1984 · as Rosalyn Gordon
• Night of 100 Stars1982 · as Self
• History of the World: Part I1981 · as Dole office clerk (uncredited)
• The Beatrice Arthur Special1980 · as Herself
• The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's1980 · as Self
• The Star Wars Holiday Special1978 · as Ackmena
• Mame1974 · as Vera Charles
• Lovers and Other Strangers1970 · as Bea Vecchio
• That Kind of Woman1959 · as WAC (uncredited)
• The Gift of the Magi1958 · as Mrs. Abercrombie

All TV Shows (36)

• Golden Girls 30332022 · as Dorothy Zbornak (voice) (archive sound)
• Back to the Grind2007
• Comedy Central Roasts2003 · as Self
• The Terry and Gaby Show2003
• Curb Your Enthusiasm2000 · as Larry's Mother
• Malcolm in the Middle2000 · as Mrs. White
• Beggars and Choosers1999
• Futurama1999 · as Femputer (voice)
• So Graham Norton1998 · as Self - Guest
• Emily of New Moon1998 · as The Voice
• The View1997 · as Self
• Judge Judy1996 · as Self - Defendant's Witness
• Ellen1994 · as Bea Arthur
• Intimate Portrait1993 · as Self
• Dave's World1993 · as Mel Bloom
• The Golden Palace1992 · as Dorothy Hollingsworth
• Boulevard Bio1991 · as Self
• Empty Nest1988 · as Dorothy Zbornak
• The Golden Girls1985 · as Dorothy Zbornak
• a.k.a. Pablo1984
• Amanda's1983 · as Amanda Cartwright
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Host
• People's Choice Awards1975 · as Self
• Dinah!1974 · as Self
• Maude1972 · as Maude Findlay
• All in the Family1971 · as Maude Findlay
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Host
• Tony Awards1956 · as Self - Host
• The George Gobel Show1954 · as Self
• Max Liebman Presents1954
• Omnibus1952 · as Ugly Witch
• Hallmark Hall of Fame1951 · as Mrs. Abercrombie
• Studio One1948
• Bambi1948 · as Self