Rue McClanahan
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 21, 1934
- Died
- June 3, 2010
- Birthplace
- 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 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.
Filmography
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20 2025
as Self / Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls 2021
as Blanche Devereaux
The Golden Girls: Ageless 2021
as Self (archive footage)
Betty White: First Lady of Television 2018
as Self (archive Footage)
Gaze 2010
as Self (archive footage)
Generation Gap 2008
as Kay
Back to You & Me 2005
as Helen Ludwick
Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock 2004
as Mrs. Hardy (voice)
The Fighting Temptations 2003
as Nancy Stringer
Miracle Dogs 2003
as Katherine Mannion
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments 2003
as Self / Blanche Devereaux
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series 2003
as Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
The Women 2002
as Countess DeLage
NBC 75th Anniversary Special 2002
as Self
Nuncrackers 2001
as Reverend Mother
The Moving of Sophia Myles 2000
as Mary-Margaret
A Saintly Switch 1999
as Aunt Fanny
Rusty: A Dog's Tale 1998
as Edna Callahan
- Border to Border
Border to Border 1998
as Mrs. Kirby
Nunsense 3: The Jamboree 1998
as Mother Superior
Starship Troopers 1997
as Biology Teacher
Annabelle's Wish 1997
as Scarlett (voice)
This World, Then the Fireworks 1997
as Mom Lakewood
Out to Sea 1997
as Mrs. Carruthers
Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula 1997
as Self
Dear God 1996
as Mom Turner
Innocent Victims 1996
as Marylou Hennis
A Holiday to Remember 1995
as Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story 1994
as Grandma Stephens
Nunsense 2: The Sequel 1994
as Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
Message from Nam 1993
as Beatrice Andrews
Nunsense 1993
as Rev. Mother Mary Regina
Mother of the Bride 1993
as Margaret Hix, Co-Executive Producer
Baby of the Bride 1991
as Margaret Hix, Co-Executive Producer
The Dreamer of Oz 1990
as Matilda Joslyn Gage
To My Daughter 1990
as Laura Carlson
Children of the Bride 1990
as Margaret Becker
After the Shock 1990
as Sherra Cox
Night of 100 Stars III 1990
as Self
The Earth Day Special 1990
as Blanche Devereaux
Modern Love 1990
as Mrs. Evelyn Parker
Rue McClanahan: The Cat Care Video Guide 1990
as Herself
The Wickedest Witch 1989
as Avarissa
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1989
Actor
The Man in the Brown Suit 1989
as Suzy Blair
- Take My Daughters, Please
Take My Daughters, Please 1988
as Lilah Page
Mickey's 60th Birthday 1988
as Self
- Liberace
Liberace 1988
as Frances Liberace
The Little Match Girl 1987
as Frances Dutton
Picnic 1986
as Flo Owens
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There 1985
Actor
The Skin of Our Teeth 1983
as Fortune Teller
The Day the Bubble Burst 1982
as Barbara Arvey
Word of Honor 1981
as Maggie McNeill
Gridlock 1980
as Adele Sherman
Topper 1979
as Clara Topper
Rainbow 1978
as Ida Koverman
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force 1978
as Mat's Mother
Having Babies III 1978
as Gloria Miles
A Different Approach 1978
Actor
Blade 1973
as Gail
The Rimers of Eldritch 1972
as Cora Groves
Some of My Best Friends Are... 1971
as Lita Joyce
Hogan's Goat 1971
as Josey Finn
They Might Be Giants 1971
as Daisy Playfair
The People Next Door 1970
as Della
Angel's Flight 1965
as Dolly
- How to Succeed with Girls
How to Succeed with Girls 1964
as Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
Five Minutes to Love 1963
as Sally 'Poochie'
Five Minutes to Live 1961
as Pamela
- The Grass Eater
The Grass Eater 1961
Actor
- Just Between Us
Just Between Us 1961
Actor
Hollywood After Dark 1961
as Sandy
Credits from TMDB.