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Golden Girl Bea Arthur Dead at 86

TV legend made a career out of playing acerbic heroines

By the Associated Press

Posted Apr 25, 2009 4:05 PM CDT

(AP) – Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows Maude and The Golden Girls, died today at age of 86. Arthur, who had cancer, died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side. “She was a brilliant and witty woman,” said her personal assistant.

Born Bernice Frankel in New York, Arthur first appeared on All in the Family as Edith Bunker's outspoken, liberal cousin, Maude Finley—then spun the character off on her own show. She dazzled TV audiences again in the 1980s with The Golden Girls. In recent years, Arthur made guest appearances on shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm and Malcolm in the Middle.

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This 1975 file photo shows actress Bea Arthur. (AP Photo/File)

This undated file photo shows cast members of the television series "Golden Girls," posing for a photo, clockwise from left, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, and Estelle Getty. (AP Photo/File)

This Dec. 9, 2008 file photo shows actress Bea Arthur arriving at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 2008 Hall of Fame Ceremony in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

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A scene from "Golden Girls." (YouTube)

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I'm 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice, and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can't stay home waiting for something different. I think it's a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting.
- Bea Arthur, on the similarities between Maude Finley and Dorothy Zbornak

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Golden Girl Bea Arthur Dead at 86