Rue McClanahan Dies at 76

[vivika1982]

RIP Southern Belle.

[genegri]

Wow I'm gutted to hear this sad sad news.

I was lucky enough to meet Rue once. I was an usher at a West End theatre just after I left drama school trying to make a living while I peddled my wares auditioning for every show in town. A Tom Stoppard play was on at the time (this was 1995 IIRC) and one evening, I had the great honour of being selected to escort Rue to a private VIP bar in the interval and to make sure she and her friends had everything they needed. I did that for a lot of celebs and minor royalty during my time there but Rue was the only one who not only took the time to say thank you and really mean it, but also actively engaged me in conversation. She was interested in where I had trained, what I wanted to achieve and what I was auditioning for as well as imparting some very sage advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of the business.

At the end of the show I escorted her to her car and she not only remembered my name but thanked me for my service and making her evening so enjoyable. She shook my hand, wished me luck and left something there and before I could say anything, let alone refuse her tip (which is kind of a British thing to do), she was gone. I opened my hand to find £100 for my troubles. I have never forgotten the kindness she showed me or that £100 which at the time went a loooong way to ensure I could actually afford to eat, let alone travel to auditions and such.

RIP Rue McClanahan. A truer star and more down to earth and generous lady I never did meet.

What a lovely story!

[Kruss]

One of the most unlikely roles I saw her in was the movie “The Fighting Temptations” with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce. Rue played one of the church members in the choir, and even though at first I was thinking, “what on earth is she doing in this role?”, it quickly became evident why. Very talented comic, and a joy to watch.

RIP.

[VALuvsMKwan]

floskate, thanks so much for sharing that lovely story of a lovely, talented lady.

I remember seeing her last in the PBS special of the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of "The Women", in which she played the Countess to a T.

RIP Eddie Rue (her given name, from what I remember reading).

[AragornElessar]

I loved The Golden Girls and was watching a few episodes on the weekend, they're still as funny as the days they were on NBC and have held up wonderfully.

I always loved Blanche and her spunk. It really was one of those roles that change TV for the better, as we'd never had a lively, spunky and sexy lady in her older years before. Rue also played it to perfection.

floskate, Thank You so much for sharing your Rue encounter story w/all of us.

God Speed Rue!!

[skatingfan5]

floskate, thanks so much for sharing that lovely story of a lovely, talented lady.

Yes, that was a very touching story -- thank you, Flo, for sharing.

I remember seeing her last in the PBS special of the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of "The Women", in which she played the Countess to a T.

Yes, she was marvelous in that -- "Oh l'amour, l'amour".

RIP, Rue. You'll be missed.

[Matryeshka]

Not that anyone would ever thread drag on FSU, but I can't help thinking of how much more groundbreaking Golden Girls was than Sex in the City. Both shows had the audacity to show women not in their 20s getting laid and at least started with the premise of focusing on strong, independent women. Both featured four women with different personalities and different needs.

But GG did it with so much more style, panache, and believability. I really don't meet anyone over the age of 22 who would really want to be like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte...even the ones that can afford it. But I do meet women of ALL ages who say that they wouldn't mind being Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, or Sophie someday.

GG showed women--likeable women--whose lived full, rich lives past husbands, children, and social age restrictions without being self-absorbed or vapid shoe whores. Rue Mclanahan's character was a big part of that and made it acceptable for older women to not just stop having fun, going out, or ing while still being a whole, realized person and not a caricature.

RIP Blanche--thank you for being a friend.

[succubus]

I am DEVASTATED by this news. As a GG junkie, losing the ladies one by one is killing me. I know she was 76 and I know she had a beautiful long life, but my gosh I feel like I've lost a friend. I saw the headline while I was at work and had to head into the bathroom to cry a bit.

(And yes I'm aware that I sound like a complete loser! )

Please Betty stick around awhile...

[loopey]

Sorry to hear this news.

GG remains one of my two all time favorite shows (I Love Lucy being the other).

Just good fun. They just don't make comedy like this anymore. IMO.

[Simone411]

Gonna miss you, ((((Rue))))) RIP

[IceJunkie]

I first discovered Golden Girls about three years ago. I was born after the show first aired, but its grown to become one of my favorite shows ever. Rue was such a fantastic actress, and floskate, that was such a touching story. She seemed like a good person.

[jtpc]

I remember flipping through channels once and seeing that Rue was a guest on the Dame Edna show. The badge Rue was given to wear said "Kanga".

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

So sad. R.I.P

Rue's vocal inflections were what really sold some of Blanche's lines imo. Some things that otherwise wouldn't be that funny were full out hilarious because of the way she uttered those lines.

[sk8muse]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!, I still haven't gotten over the loss of Dixie Carter. Now Rue? Sassy southern belles are the best - especially with age...

[siouxdonym]

RIP

[HeatherC]

*sob* Such sad news and it crushed my entire department at work today. I grew up watching the Golden Girls every week (and still love the reruns) and seeing the wonderful ladies passing away now, especially so close together, is like losing my grandparents all over again. RIP Rue and thank you so much for all the laughter and memories.

[BigB08822]

I was so saddened when I heard this news yesterday.

[skatesindreams]

floskate, thank you for sharing.
Indeed, a memory to cherish.

What a generous and lovely lady!
Another reason that I'll remember her.

[NeilJLeonard]

Another loss. RIP.

NJL

[Wyliefan]

floskate, thanks so much for sharing that lovely story of a lovely, talented lady.

I remember seeing her last in the PBS special of the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of "The Women", in which she played the Countess to a T.

Oh goodness, I can just imagine!! She would be PERFECT in that role.