Rue McClanahan
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Female
Birthday
1934-02-21
Day of Death
2010-06-03 (76 years old)
Place of Birth
Healdton, Oklahoma, USA
Rue McClanahan
Biography
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.
Acting
(2022)
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
as Blanche Devereaux
(2021)
The Golden Girls: Ageless
as Self (archive footage)
(2021)
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
as Blanche Devereaux
(2020)
Spaceship Earth
as Herself (Archival footage)
(2018)
Betty White: First Lady of Television
as Self (archive Footage)
(2010)
Gaze
as Self (archive footage)
(2008)
Generation Gap
as Kay
(2005)
Back to You & Me
as Helen Ludwick
(2003)
The Fighting Temptations
as Nancy Stringer
(2003)
Miracle Dogs
as Katherine Mannion
(2003)
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
as Self / Blanche Devereaux
(2003)
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
as Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
(2002)
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
as Self
(2002)
The Women
as Countess DeLage
(2001)
Nuncrackers
as Reverend Mother
(2000)
The Moving of Sophia Myles
as Mary-Margaret
(1998)
Rusty: A Dog's Tale
as Edna Callahan
(1998)
Nunsense 3: The Jamboree
as Mother Superior
(1998)
Border to Border
as Mrs. Kirby
(1997)
Starship Troopers
as Biology Teacher
(1997)
Out to Sea
as Mrs. Ellen Carruthers
(1997)
Annabelle's Wish
as Scarlett (voice)
(1997)
This World, Then the Fireworks
as Mom Lakewood
(1997)
Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula
as Self
(1996)
Dear God
as Mom Turner
(1996)
Innocent Victims
as Marylou Hennis
(1995)
A Holiday to Remember
as Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
(1994)
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story
as Grandma Stephens
(1994)
Nunsense 2: The Sequel
as Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
(1993)
Mother of the Bride
as Margaret Becker Hix
(1993)
Message from Nam
as Beatrice Andrews
(1993)
Nunsense
as Rev. Mother Mary Regina
(1991)
Baby of the Bride
as Margaret Becker Hix
(1990)
The Earth Day Special
as Blanche Devereaux
(1990)
Night of 100 Stars III
as Self
(1990)
Modern Love
as Mrs. Evelyn Parker
(1990)
The Dreamer of Oz
as Matilda Joslyn Gage
(1990)
Children of the Bride
as Margaret Becker
(1990)
To My Daughter
as Laura Carlson
(1990)
After the Shock
as Sherra Cox
(1990)
Rue McClanahan: The Cat Care Video Guide
as Herself
(1989)
The Man in the Brown Suit
as Suzy Blair
(1989)
(1989)
The Wickedest Witch
as Avarissa
(1988)
Mickey's 60th Birthday
as Self
(1988)
Liberace
as Frances Liberace
(1988)
Take My Daughters, Please
as Lilah Page
(1987)
The Little Match Girl
as Frances Dutton
(1986)
Picnic
as Flo Owens
(1983)
The Skin of Our Teeth
as Fortune Teller
(1982)
The Day the Bubble Burst
as Barbara Arvey
(1981)
Word of Honor
as Maggie McNeill
(1980)
Gridlock
as Adele Sherman
(1979)
Topper
as Clara Topper
(1978)
Rainbow
as Ida Koverman
(1978)
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force
as Mat's Mother
(1978)
(1978)
Having Babies III
as Gloria Miles
(1973)
Blade
as Gail
(1972)
The Rimers of Eldritch
as Cora Groves
(1971)
They Might Be Giants
as Daisy Playfair
(1971)
Some of My Best Friends Are...
as Lita Joyce
(1971)
Hogan's Goat
as Josey Finn
(1970)
The People Next Door
as Della
(1965)
Angel's Flight
as Dolly
(1964)
How to Succeed with Girls
as Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
(1963)
Five Minutes to Love
as Sally 'Poochie'
(1961)
Five Minutes to Live
as Pamela
(1961)
Hollywood After Dark
as Sandy
(1961)
(1961)
Crew
(1993)
Mother of the Bride
Co-Executive Producer
(1991)
Baby of the Bride
Co-Executive Producer