The Golden Girls is a television sitcom in the US that was aired on NBC from 1985 to 1992. It is created by Susan Harris and had a total of 180 half-hour episodes in seven seasons. It starred Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan as four older women who shared friendship and a home in Florida. The television show was produced by Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions in association with Touchstone Television.
The television sitcom received critical acclaim throughout most of its run. It also won several awards, including three Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. The Golden Girls also ranked among the Nielsen ratings Top 10 for six of its seven seasons. Even in the 21st century, it continues to attract new fans. It has been an example of a TV sitcom that has aged well. Estelle Getty’s unforgettable portrayal of the feisty Sophia Petrillo is celebrated by her ever-growing Instagram following, who appreciate her enduring humor and wisdom.
The stars of this television show had such incredible chemistry onscreen. No wonder many college-age adults today were still falling in love with them when they were able to watch the show on streaming and in cable reruns. If you’ve seen the show back in the ‘80s or on a streaming platform recently, what do you think happened to the cast of the show after it ended? If you have the same questions in mind, read on to find out.
What Happened to Bea Arthur When The Golden Girls Ended?
Bea Arthur was an American comedian and activist. She played the role of Dorothy Zbornak in The Golden Girls series, where she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1988.
After The Golden Girls, there was a spinoff series titled The Golden Palace in 1992. It had the women moving to the Miami hotel they invest in. However, it turned out that it is stripped of its staff other than two, which left them to figure out how to run the hotel successfully. Bea Arthur chose not to participate in that show because her character, Dorothy, had married and moved away. But she did appear as Dorothy in a two-part episode during the season. The show was then canceled in 1993.
Bea Arthur could’ve become a TV legend, but she only decided to make guest appearances on sitcoms, talk shows, and variety shows throughout her life. What she really loved was the Broadway stage. She found more success there during the 1990s and 2000s. Bea Arthur’s death in 2009 was the end of the period that included her conquering almost every entertainment medium.
What Happened to Rue McClanahan When The Golden Girls Ended?
Rue McClanahan was an actress and comedian. She was best known for her roles on TV as Vivian Hamon on Maude, Aunt Fran Crowley on Mama’s Family, and Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987 when she played Blanche in The Golden Girls. There’s no doubt that she’s one of the great comedic character actresses of her generation.
Many people chuckled when the writers of The Golden Girls made her character a dirty 60-something woman. It made the show so hilarious and real. Rue McClanahan’s TV, movie, and stage credits are as huge as Bea Arthur’s.
After playing Blanche in The Golden Girls, Rue continued working through the 1990s and 2000s, up to the year before her death. Rue McClanahan suffered a series of health issues back in the late 2000s, which included breast cancer and a stroke. She died in 2010 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Her death was sudden and made it a sad occasion.
What Happened to Estelle Getty When The Golden Girls Ended?
Estelle Gettleman or more popularly known as Estelle Getty, was an actress and comedienne who is famous for her portrayal of Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, and as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
After The Golden Girls and The Golden Palace ended, Estelle Getty was the only one from the show to remain her role of Sophia Petrillo for two more years. She appeared on the NBC sitcom Empty Nest as a recurring sideline character.
Estelle Getty stayed active in showbiz for a while, acting in a few TV projects and movies until she retired in 2000 because of a Lewy body dementia diagnosis. She is actually the first one who passed from the original cast of The Golden Girls, which was in 2008 at the age of 84.
What Happened to Betty White When The Golden Girls Ended?
Betty White is an actress, comedian, author, and animal rights advocate. She is popular for her role as Rose Nylund on the sitcom The Golden Girls. She is widely regarded today as a pioneer of television, having a career lasting more than 80 years. In addition to that, she’s also one of the first women to exert control in front and behind the camera.
She is probably the most beloved comedic celebrity of all time. At age 99, she is not slowing down. She even did a voiceover in Toy Story 4. She is doing mostly voiceover work nowadays but also appears in many TV specials and documentaries. Many people are rooting for her to make it to 100 so we can celebrate one of the most continuing showbiz careers.
The Golden Girls is indeed one of the most iconic television shows in the 1980s, and it is still very popular today. Have you watched this TV series? Who is your most favorite character in the show?