Rue McClanahan Wiki, Bio, Age, Net Worth, and Other Facts

Below is a compiled list of the most interesting facts about Rue McClanahan. Check it out!

A New York stage actress in the 1950s, McClanahan was plucked from the stage by Norman Lear for roles on All in the Family (1971) and later Maude (1972). For two years (1982 – 1984), she played “Aunt Fran” on Mama’s Family (1983) until her character was killed off and she joined the cast of Golden Girls. She hit her comedic stride as a sharp tongued oversexed Southern belle on The Golden Girls (1985).

Interesting Facts about Rue McClanahan

She modeled her accent for Blanche Deveraux after Rosalynn Carter.
Mother of Mark Bish and aunt of actress Amelia Kinkade.
Portraying Madame Morrible in Broadway’s Wicked. [June 2005]
She kept every outfit she wore while on The Golden Girls (1985) and used a majority of them for her everyday wear away from the show.
After moving to New York City, she worked as a file clerk before finding success in the theater.
Spoke at a press conference at Saratoga Springs, New York protesting the use of diving horses at Magic Forest Theme Park, Lake George, New York. [May 2003]
She graduated cum laude in the University of Tulsa with a joint degree in German and Theatre Arts. She was the only female member of the school’s science club. She joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at the University of Tulsa.
She was awarded the 1985 Pasadena Playhouse Alumni and Associates Woman of the Year Award at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California.
Betty White was originally considered for the role of the sexpot, Blanche, on The Golden Girls (1985). However, Betty had already been the aggressive Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) and Rue had played the introverted Vivian on Maude (1972). It was thought best not to typecast these two actresses by having them portray similar characters. Therefore, Betty got the part of naive Rose Nylund and Rue played the oversexed Blanche.
Played the same character, Blanche Devereaux, on four different TV series: The Golden Palace (1992), The Golden Girls (1985), Nurses (1991), and Empty Nest (1988).
Was a supporter, donor, and advocate for the Methodist Healthcare Systemand its 15 care services. She gave a speech about her battle with breast cancer at the Travis Park United Methodist Church in East Travis, Texas on May 11, 2000.
A vegan and dedicated animal rights activist, she was an Honorary Director for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Personal Quotes by Rue McClanahan

I didn’t know anything about breast cancer when I got it.
Rue McClanahan

Our show was – it remained – you know, kids could watch it and laugh at it. And they wouldn’t know – they wouldn’t get the jokes. But they would laugh at it. So they tell me now they have grown up and they’re watching it. Now they get the jokes. But we didn’t say anything blatant.
Rue McClanahan