Bea Arthur
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 13, 1922
- Died
- April 25, 2009
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
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.
Filmography
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20 2025
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
Henry Fonda for President 2025
as Maude (archival footage)
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed 2023
as Self (archive footage)
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls 2021
as Dorothy Zbornak
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age 2021
as Self
The Golden Girls: Ageless 2021
as Self (archive footage)
Betty White: First Lady of Television 2018
as Self (archive Footage)
O.J.: Made in America 2016
as Self (archive footage)
Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson 2005
as Self
Broadway's Lost Treasures II 2004
as Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
The Best of So Graham Norton 2004
as Self (archive footage)
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments 2003
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There 2003
as Self
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series 2003
as Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
Enemies of Laughter 2000
as Paul's Mother
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller 1999
as Self
- A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury 1996
as Self
For Better or Worse 1995
as Beverly Makeshift
Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl 1994
as Self
Night of 100 Stars III 1990
as Self
The Earth Day Special 1990
as Dorothy Zbornak
My First Love 1988
as Jean Miller
Mickey's 60th Birthday 1988
as Self
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration 1988
as Self
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC 1988
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour 1987
as Self
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood 1987
as Self
- All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood 1986
as Self (uncredited)
Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary 1986
as Self
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There 1985
Actor
- P.O.P.
P.O.P. 1984
as Rosalyn Gordon
Night of 100 Stars 1982
as Self
History of the World: Part I 1981
as Dole office clerk (uncredited)
The Beatrice Arthur Special 1980
as Herself
The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's 1980
as Self
The Star Wars Holiday Special 1978
as Ackmena
Mame 1974
as Vera
Lovers and Other Strangers 1970
as Bea Vecchio
That Kind of Woman 1959
as WAC (uncredited)
The Gift of the Magi 1958
as Mrs. Abercrombie
Credits from TMDB.