Bea Arthur
Acting
Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress and comedian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Arthur began her career on stage in 1947, attracting critical acclaim before achieving worldwide recognition for her work on television beginning in the 1970s as Maude Findlay in the popular sitcoms All in the Family (1971–1972) and Maude (1972–1978) and later in the 1980s and 1990s as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls (1985–1992). She won several accolades throughout her career, beginning with the 1966 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in Mame. She won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1977 for Maude and 1988 for The Golden Girls. Arthur has received the third most nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series with nine; only Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11) and Mary Tyler Moore (10) have more. She was inducted into the academy's Television Hall of Fame in 2008. Her film appearances include Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and the film version of Mame (1974). In 2002, she starred in the one-woman show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends. An obituary described Arthur as "the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star." She served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve in World War II.
Known for
Acting74
movieThe Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20
2025
Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
movieHenry Fonda for President
2025
Maude (archival footage)
movieRock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
2023
Self (archive footage)
tvGolden Girls 3033
2022
Dorothy Zbornak (voice) (archive sound)
movieForever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
2021
Dorothy Zbornak
movieThe Golden Girls: Ageless
2021
Self (archive footage)
movieBetty White: First Lady of Television
2018
Self (archive Footage)
movieO.J.: Made in America
2016
Self (archive footage)
movieBroadway's Lost Treasures II
2004
Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
movieThe Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
2003
Self / Dorothy Zbornak
movieThe Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
2003
Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
movieEnemies of Laughter
2000
Paul's Mother
tvCurb Your Enthusiasm
2000
Larry's Mother
tvMalcolm in the Middle
2000
Mrs. White
tvFuturama
1999
Femputer (voice)
tvSo Graham Norton
1998
Self - Guest
tvEmily of New Moon
1998
The Voice
tvThe View
1997
Self
tvJudge Judy
1996
Self - Defendant's Witness
movieFor Better or Worse
1995
Beverly Makeshift
tvEllen
1994
Bea Arthur
tvDave's World
1993
Mel Bloom
tvThe Golden Palace
1992
Dorothy Hollingsworth
movieThe Earth Day Special
1990
Dorothy Zbornak
movieMy First Love
1988
Jean Miller
tvEmpty Nest
1988
Dorothy Zbornak
movieHappy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
tvThe Golden Girls
1985
Dorothy Zbornak
P.O.P.
1984
Rosalyn Gordon
tvAmanda's
1983
Amanda Cartwright
movieHistory of the World: Part I
1981
Dole office clerk (uncredited)
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited) / Self - Host
tvDinah!
1974
Self
movieMame
1974
Vera Charles
tvMaude
1972
Maude Findlay
tvAll in the Family
1971
Maude Findlay
movieLovers and Other Strangers
1970
Bea Vecchio
tvThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
Self - Co-Host
movieThat Kind of Woman
1959
WAC (uncredited)
movieThe Gift of the Magi
1958
Mrs. Abercrombie
tvTony Awards
1956
Self - Host
tvOmnibus
1952
Ugly Witch
tvHallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Mrs. Abercrombie
tvBambi
1948
Self