Tribute to Rue

Published on Friday, June 04 2010

Written by Katie Marzullo

What we loved about Rue was how she, like her one-time "Golden Girls" co-star, Betty White "" epitomized the YH mantra of "It's not about age, it's about attitude!" And Rue had plenty of "Ëœtude to go around.

 

Rue when she was just a sweet young thang from Oklahoma

 

She was known best for her role as the perpetually over-sexed retiress, Blanche, on the "Golden Girls," but girlfriend had been making the rounds in the industry for years prior to that. Rue got her start in acting appearing in Off-Broadway productions in the late-"˜50s, and she finally got her chance to shine on the Great White Way when she appeared opposite a young Dustin Hoffman in the 1969 musical, Jimmy Shine. But she became a real hit when she took on a role in the popular daytime soap, "Another World," in 1970 "" a heavily melodramatic turn that certainly couldn't portend the laughter Rue would inspire in later years.

 

A scandalous Rue opposite Dustin Hoffman on Broadway

 

Meanwhile, Rue made some appearances here and there in films, including the cult favorite Hollywood After Dark (1968) and the somewhat progressive 1971 drama, Some of My Best Friends Are"¦, which was set entirely in a gay bar (perhaps the catalyst for Rue's long-standing comradeship with the gay community).

After another short stint on another now-defunct soap, Rue made the leap to primetime in 1972 when she accepted the role of Bea Arthur's bestie in "Maude." But it wasn't until 1985 that Rue finally became a household name as the spicy Southern belle Blanche in "Golden Girls." The show even garnered R.Mac her first and only Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987. The show lasted seven seasons.

 

Rue with her fellow Girls of Golden

 

Her post-"Golden Girls" years were marred by a number of health issues, including breast cancer in 1997 (from which she fully recovered), triple bypass surgery in 2009, a mild stroke following that surgery, and, finally, the massive stroke that took her life yesterday.

Her family has set up a memorial page on Facebook in her honor. Check it out and share you favorite Rue memories and/or donate to one of her favorite charities!

 

Interesting Rue facts:

 

- She was no dummy: She attended the University of Tulsa and graduated with honors with a degree in German and Theatre Arts. She was also the only girl in her school's Science Club.

- Had almost as prolific a love life as her alter ego, Blanche: She was married six times!

- She has Choctaw Indian ancentry.

- She was originally considered for the role of Rose Nylund on "Golden Girls," and Betty White was originally going to play Blanche.

- She loved the animals: She was a vegan and a devoted animal rights activist.

- Wrote an autobiography called My First Five Husbands"¦ and the Ones Who Got Away in 2007.

- Has one son, Mark Bish, from her first marriage in the late-"˜50s.

 

You were one of a kind, Rue! Thanks for being a friend!

 

-Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor

katie@younghollywood.com