Bea Arthur Dies, Thank You For Being A Friend

Bea Arthur, the Tony- and Emmy-winning actress best known for her role as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls, passed away early Saturday morning April 25. She was 86 and was suffering from cancer. Bea died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family by her side. “She was a brilliant and witty woman,” said Dan Watt, who is the family spokesperson and was Bea’s personal assistant for six years. “Bea will always have a special place in my heart.”

via Bea Arthur Dies, Thank You For Being A Friend | Bea Arthur, RIP : Just Jared.

While I was never a fan of “The Golden Girls” — it was just a little bit too much retirement humour for me — I loved and cherished the dry wit of Bea Arthur.  I was introduced to this woman after seeing a clip from “Mame” where she and Lucille Ball sang the infamous duet “Bosom Buddies”.  I loved her disdain and gravelly voice.  I know she wasn’t a super singer, but it was wonderful to listen to, for me.

I never did see “Maude” (it was really before my time), but I could really honestly say that I would in all likelihood have enjoyed it.  I can’t imagine not wanting to watch the entertainment that this woman provided.

The world of entertainment is going to miss Bea.  While she wasn’t in the highlights over the past few years, her body of work spanned generations — she really deserves more than a footnote in magazines.  I hope that the people in Hollywood gives her due recognition.