Hey folks. Quint here. I apologize for being half a day late with this post, but in all honesty I was hoping another editor with a broader knowledge of Bea Arthur's career would step in and tribute the woman who died this morning after a long battle with Cancer. She was 86.
My memories (all fond) of Bea Arthur all revolve around The Golden Girls, which was a staple in my home growing up. We lost Estelle Getty recently, too. Their chemistry together was the glue that held that show together. It was Dorothy's relationship with "Maaaaaaa" (aka Sophia), the sarcastic, biting, but loving mother/daughter bond, that kept the show alive in my view. Betty White and Rue McClanahan were fantastic and the old friends angle was a massive part of the success of the show as well, but the heart was always with Dorothy and Sophia.
I know that Bea had a raunchy side to her as well. Anybody who has seen any of her Roast appearances will know what I'm talking about, but that, I think, only fed into what made her work onscreen.
My mother was a huge fan of ALL IN THE FAMILY and the spin-off starring Bea Arthur called MAUDE. I'm sorry to say that I'm not familiar with Maude at all and only slightly with ALL IN THE FAMILY. I have tracked down some clips from MAUDE and Arthur was on fire, so I'm now going to seek out the series and put it on my "to watch" pile.
I did love her in her more recent appearance as Larry David's mother on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. Even into her 80s she still had it.
Bea Arthur had a unique voice, in more ways than one, and will always be remembered. Who else can claim to have danced with Greedo?
My thoughts will be with Bea's friends, family and fans. Thank you for being a friend.
