I've been humming 'Thank You For Being A Friend' ever since I heard the news.
Rue appeared in 2 of my favorite TV series - 'Maude' and 'Golden Girls'
Both shows were way ahead of their time in portraying older women as more than Moms or bitter bitches.
Maude was the first prime time TV show to deal with the issues of abortion and menopause.
Golden Girls brought us four women who were in charge of their lives.
Older, divorced or widowed, they moved forward with grace and humor. They had careers, they had fun, they had men ...
Ahhhh - Rue as Blanche - what a sexy sassy wonder she was!
Something tells me Rue was born to play Blanche ...
"People always ask me if I`m like Blanche. And I say, `Well, Blanche was an oversexed, self-involved, man-crazy, vain Southern Belle from Atlanta -- and I`m not from Atlanta!"
You can view a collection of some of Blanche's best moments HERE
I was lucky enough to see Rue appear in 'Wicked' as 'Madame Morrible' - she was exquisite.
In her off stage life Rue worked tirelessly for animal rights. She was also outspoken on the issue of gay rights and the rights of all humans.
"Compassion is the foundation of everything positive, everything good. If you carry the power of compassion to the marketplace and the dinner table, you can make your life really count."
Rue McClanahan's life counted.
Peaceful Journey Rue
24 comments:
Superb tribute ... from a woman who is not a TV star but for sure is one great broad!
Aww, I hadn't heard this. Loved her characters. What a great tribute, Dianne.
Very nice! Those shows were important to many of us. And I still like to watch GG
Thanks for the "Blanche moments". I loved that show, and Maude, too. Rue was a talented lady.
Oh, I'm sad to read this news. Nice post. Rest in peace Rue.
What a lovely tribute to a lovely woman. I loved those shows as well. And Rue played every part so well.
Thanks for sharing.
You are so right...those two shows were so far ahead of their time. I loved them both and I think I'm going to find out where the reruns are (surely there are reruns!) and watch them, again, on a regular basis. Sitcoms these days totally lack the quality of those wonderful old shows.
This is a lovely post. Thanks.
So sad to hear that. There's only one Golden Girl left now. RIP, Rue!
I watched GG re-runs in late 90's, read their lips and practiced my English. That and Full House...
daryl - I love when you call me a broad ;)
hilary - she made the character of Blanche a legend
sallie - I watch them too, they never get boring
betty - that was a good video, the person who put it together did a great job
rob - she was exceptionally talented
beverley - thank you
I adored Rue and hoped to do her justice
cheryl - Hallmark Channel and WE (Women's Entertainment Channel) both play GG reruns all the time
I have not been able to find Maude anywhere
actually I think I'll see if Maude is on DVD yet
I know the first 5 seasons of GG is
ivanhoe - what a wonderful way to work on your English
I love ya Ivanhoe, you're a better American than most who were born here
Thanks for the info on the reruns! I'll bet I'm not the only one who tunes in from now on.
She was still too young to go, but she sure had a full life.
A lovely tribute to a lovely woman.
Thanks.
Dang. That's a bummer. I remember both of those TV rolls well.
What a GLORIOUS tribute, Dianne!
When I heard the news today, I was very saddened. Blanche was my favorite character on The Golden Girls. I loved her on Maude too. It seems in the past year all those lovely ladies, with the exception of Betty White have passed.
Wonderful photo of her in Wicked! And how LUCKY you were to see her in it - I bet she was no less than flawless.
Thank you for sharing the information on her contributions to animal and gay rights. I had no idea.
What great lady she was.
Thank you, lady Dianne!
X ya!
A very touching tribute Dianne. I’d been waiting for number 3 after Coleman and Hopper. She had a full, blessed life though…what more can any of us ask for!
I loved her as Blanche! She was perfect for her and no one else could have done it.
Great tribute - you wrote "Rue McClanahan's life counted." That is such a great thing to happen - I want some one to say that about me when I am gone :)
Lovely tribute.
A BEAUTIFUL Tribute to a wonderfully talented and sometimes underated actress. Rue was known more for comedy, but in truth, she could do it all---and really really well! My dear friend Betty did a play with Rue back in the late 1960's here in Los Angeles, which was later filmed and shown on PBS in the mid 1970's. Betty Loved Rue and loved working with her.
She will be missed by many many people.....RIP, dear Rue.
I missed this news. Thanks for a great tribute. I loved those shows too.
cheryl - you're welcome! GG will go on for years and years :)
travis - she did indeed have a full life
linda - thank you :)
jeff - isn't it wonderful that so many people remember her characters, an incredible legacy
ron - I was reading the Playbill in my seat at the theater when I realized she was in the play and I exclaimed "Oh wow!! Rue!"
there were some high school kids behind me who asked who Rue was and I told them Blanche on GG and they were as thrilled as I was
when she first came on stage there was thunderous applause
she was no less than flawless, you've got that right
scott - I was reading an article about the "3s" it is an odd thing
mrs d - wouldn't it be so cool to be that sexy at her age :)
I bet you'll do it
pink - from what I know about you I am certain many people would say that
akelamalu - thanks :)
old old lady of the hills - I'm so glad you liked my tribute, means a lot to me coming from you
linda r - they are classics
I had not heard of her passing :( I liked her too.
Great post, Dianne. I don't watch much TV but I did like Golden Girls and Maude. She had great timing, which made her very funny. Love her quote about not being from Atlanta. :)
I still watch the reruns on lifetime and we tv...i am 35 yrs old and when I was 10~17 I watched them all end time. Thanks for such a beautiful tribute! A golden girls fan for life!
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