Remembering Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur, the vivacious actress who helped bring television shows Maude and The Golden Girls to life, passed away this past April after succumbing to cancer, but yesterday some of the top entertainment stars across the country gathered at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre to pay tribute to the late actress, recounting all kinds of stories that will help people remember Arthur as the hilarious if risqué woman she was. Arthur’s tribute gathering was hosted by Broadway star Angela Lansbury and was attended by several entertainment industry A-listers, many of whom helped pay tribute to Arthur by telling stories of her to the massive audience.

Maude producer Normal Lear spoke of Bea Arthur as many would remember her, saying, “…I am sure that’s because laughter lingers, and no one made me laugh like Bea Arthur. I have spent most of my life in the company of extraordinary laugh-makers, performers and writers, killers of the art, but Bea Arthur had me laughing in nooks and crannies of my body, places I didn’t even know existed.”

Rosie O’Donnell also spoke of Arthur’s character at yesterday’s memorial service, saying, “She really taught me and every other woman my age how to be a feminist at a time when that was a dirty word. Without her, I think there would not be as many funny women on television today.” Broadway lost a class act when Arthur passed away, but yesterday’s tribute to the Golden Girls star was fitting in remembering her for all she was.

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Posted in General on September 15, 2009

Leave a comment