[singlepic id=249 w=90 h=150 float=left]Rue McClanahan, the woman who brought us the wonderful liberated Southern character of Blanche Devereaux on the hit TV show Golden Girls has passed away at the age of 76 of a brain hemorrhage.
McClanahan, an Emmy winning actress, had a career in off-broadway shows before TV until she was casted as the best friend character in the show “Maude.” After “Maude” with Beatrice Arthur. Upon the ending of “Maude” she was casted on the hit show “Mama’s Family” as Aunt Fran. She followed up with her most loved role as Blanche Devereaux on “Golden Girls,” a sitcom that broke the mold, showing aging in a whole new, wonderful light.
Since “Golden Girls” Rue had worked in many TV, Film and stage productions.
Upon hearing of the passing of Rue, Betty White (on set of her TV Land comedy “Hot in Cleveland”) McClanahan was a dear and close friend. “I treasured our relationship. It hurts more than I even thought it would, if that’s even possible.”