Rue McClanahan Dies

Rue McClanahan (center) with co-stars Bea Arthur and Betty White

The woman who so famously brought Golden Girls' Blanche Deveraux to life has passed away at the age of 76.

According to a statement from her manager, the actress died of a "massive stroke" at 1:00 AM this morning. McClanahan had been in ill health since suffering a minor stroke earlier this year. Fortunately she had family with her at the time of her passing and "went in peace."

Rue McClanahan worked in theater both on and off-Broadway before scoring wider TV exposure first on the the daytime soap opera Another World, and then playing "Vivian," best friend to Bea Arthur's title character on Maude. 

She was married six times and is survived by actor Morrow Wilson (whom she married in 1997) and her son from a previous marriage, Mark Bish.

Rue's last acting role was actually on the Logo channel. She played Peggy Ingram in the TV version of Sordid Lives.

McClanahan, Sordid Lives Creator/Director Del Shores, Actor Leslie Jordan,
Actress Caroline Rhea and Olivia Newton John. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

We invite AfterElton readers to share their favorite memories of the actress in the comments below. After the break, the classic "Lesbian/Lebanese" clip from Golden Girls.