Rue McClanahan
Acting
Born February 21, 1934 · 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.
Films (73)
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship
2025
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
2021
The Golden Girls: Ageless
2021
Betty White: First Lady of Television
2018
Gaze
2010
Generation Gap
2008
Back to You & Me
2005
The Fighting Temptations
2003
Miracle Dogs
2003
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
2003
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
2003
The Women
2002
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
2002
Nuncrackers
2001
The Moving of Sophia Myles
2000
A Saintly Switch
1999
Rusty: A Dog's Tale
1998
Border to Border
1998
Nunsense 3: The Jamboree
1998
Starship Troopers
1997
Annabelle's Wish
1997
This World, Then the Fireworks
1997
Out to Sea
1997
Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula
1997
Dear God
1996
Innocent Victims
1996
A Holiday to Remember
1995
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story
1994
Nunsense 2: The Sequel
1994
Message from Nam
1993
Nunsense
1993
Mother of the Bride
1993
Baby of the Bride
1991
The Dreamer of Oz
1990
To My Daughter
1990
Children of the Bride
1990
After the Shock
1990
Night of 100 Stars III
1990
The Earth Day Special
1990
Modern Love
1990
Rue McClanahan: The Cat Care Video Guide
1990
Help Save Planet Earth
1990
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1989
The Wickedest Witch
1989
The Man in the Brown Suit
1989
Take My Daughters, Please
1988
Mickey's 60th Birthday
1988
Liberace
1988
The Little Match Girl
1987
Picnic
1986
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985
The Skin of Our Teeth
1983
The Day the Bubble Burst
1982
Word of Honor
1981
Gridlock
1980
Topper
1979
Rainbow
1978
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force
1978
Having Babies III
1978
A Different Approach
1978
Blade
1973
The Rimers of Eldritch
1972
Some of My Best Friends Are...
1971
Hogan's Goat
1971
They Might Be Giants
1971
The People Next Door
1970
Angel's Flight
1965
How to Succeed with Girls
1964
Five Minutes to Love
1963
Five Minutes to Live
1961
The Grass Eater
1961
Just Between Us
1961
Hollywood After Dark
1961