Rue McClanahan
Biography
A veteran television actress and Broadway star of the 50s, Rue McClanahan was an actress noticed by television executive, Norman Lear. Lear cast her in a number of television shows, including "All in the Family" (1971) with 'Carroll OConnor' and "Maude" (1972) with Bea Arthur. McClanahan next co-starred with Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Betty White and Carol Burnett in "Mama's Family" (1983) for three years, and after it was canceled by NBC, McClanahan was probably best known for her role as the saucy, sharp southern belle, Blanche, in "The Golden Girls" (1985). She once again worked with Bea Arthur and Betty White, and with relative newcomer Estelle Getty. All four of the women won Emmy Awards for their roles. After Bea Arthur left the show after eight seasons, McClanahan, White and Getty returned for a brief spin-off in "The Golden Palace" (1992). In the mid-nineties, McClanahan was diagnosed with cancer, but was able to fight it successfully. In addition to lending her talents to a number of made for TV films, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen in recent years co-starring with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and with Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers (1997). McClanahan also spends her time joining and helping organizations against cancer, AIDS, and cruelty against animals.
Known For
Biology Teacher
Starship Troopers
Blanche Devereaux
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
Suzy Blair
The Man in the Brown Suit
Barbara Arvey
The Day the Bubble Burst
Mom Lakewood
This World, Then the Fireworks
Pamela
Five Minutes to Live
Lita Joyce
Some of My Best Friends Are...
Mrs. Ellen Carruthers
Out to Sea
Self (archive Footage)
Betty White: First Lady of Television
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Della
The People Next Door
Edna Callahan
Rusty: A Dog's Tale
Sally 'Poochie'
Five Minutes to Love
Sandy
Hollywood After Dark
Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
A Holiday to Remember
Fortune Teller
The Skin of Our Teeth
Grandma Stephens
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story
Josey Finn
Hogan's Goat
Cora Groves
The Rimers of Eldritch
Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
How to Succeed with Girls
Blanche Devereaux
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
A Different Approach
Self
Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula
Dolly
Angel's Flight
Clara Topper
Topper
Ida Koverman
Rainbow
Rev. Mother Mary Regina
Nunsense
Reverend Mother
Nuncrackers
Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
Nunsense 2: The Sequel
Mother Superior
Nunsense 3: The Jamboree
Margaret Becker Hix
Mother of the Bride
Margaret Becker
Children of the Bride
Self / Blanche Devereaux
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
Scarlett (voice)
Annabelle's Wish
Beatrice Andrews
Message from Nam
Daisy Playfair
They Might Be Giants
Self
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
Kay
Generation Gap
Countess DeLage
The Women
Self
Night of 100 Stars III
Mrs. Evelyn Parker
Modern Love
Self (archive footage)
The Golden Girls: Ageless
Mat's Mother
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force
Matilda Joslyn Gage
The Dreamer of Oz
Mary-Margaret
The Moving of Sophia Myles
Adele Sherman
Gridlock
Sherra Cox
After the Shock
Maggie McNeill
Word of Honor
Mom Turner
Dear God
The Grass Eater
Helen Ludwick
Back to You & Me
Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Frances Liberace
Liberace
Avarissa
The Wickedest Witch
Frances Dutton
The Little Match Girl
Self
Mickey's 60th Birthday
Herself (Archival footage)
Spaceship Earth
Gail
Blade
Katherine Mannion
Miracle Dogs
Herself
Rue McClanahan: The Cat Care Video Guide
Margaret Becker Hix
Baby of the Bride
Nancy Stringer
The Fighting Temptations
Lilah Page
Take My Daughters, Please
Gloria Miles
Having Babies III
Self (archive footage)
Gaze
Flo Owens
Picnic
Laura Carlson
To My Daughter
Mrs. Kirby
Border to Border
Just Between Us
Blanche Devereaux
The Earth Day Special
Marylou Hennis
Innocent Victims
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
71
Gender
Female
Birthday
1934-02-21
Place of Birth
Healdton, Oklahoma, USA
Also Known As
Patti Leigh