Bea Arthur

Survived by two sons, Matthew Saks (born July 14, 1961) and Daniel Saks (born May 8, 1964).

Survived by two adopted sons, Matthew Saks (born July 14, 1961) and Daniel Saks (born May 8, 1964).

Got a phone call from Norman Lear, about guest-starring on a few episodes of "All in the Family" (1968), only because Lear strongly insisted her on doing it, despite Arthur, who hated flying. She agreed at the very last minute to take the role for a few episodes, hence, this led her into her starring role on "Maude" (1972).

Best known by the public for her starring roles as the title character in "Maude" and as Dorothy Zbornak in "The Golden Girls" .

Her former "Maude" co-star, Adrienne Barbeau, was reunited with her on "The View" , in 2007.

Remained good friends with Adrienne Barbeau during and after "Maude" .

Her series "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" were both canceled because Bea left them.

Her series "Maude" (1972) and "The Golden Girls" (1985) were both canceled because Bea left them.

Best known by the public for her starring roles as the title character in "Maude" (1972) and as Dorothy Zbornak in "The Golden Girls" (1985).

Her former "Maude" (1972) co-star, Adrienne Barbeau, was reunited with her on "The View" (1997), in 2007. They were there to promote the DVD release of the first season of Maude.

Claimed that co-star Esther Rolle didn't display any comedic talent on _"Maude"(1972)_, until she was given her own show "Good Times" (1974). She would quote Maude writer Arthur Julian statement about Rolle: "My name is Esther Rolle. I don't do windows, and I don't do comedy.".

Though her ex-"Maude" (1972) co-star, Adrienne Barbeau had missed the majority of the episodes for the final 2 seasons of the series, due to her celebrity status, they were still the best of friends until Bea's death.

Remained good friends with Adrienne Barbeau during and after "Maude" (1972).

In 1966, she won a Tony Award as Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in "Mame" a part she recreated in the film version of the same name, Mame .

In 1966, she won a Tony Award as Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in "Mame" a part she recreated in the film version of the same name, Mame (1974).

Like Bea, her first husband Robert Alan Aurthur also died of lung cancer in 1978.

Was the popular national spokesperson for Canadian drug store chain Shoppers Drug Mart in television and radio commercials throughout the 1980s.

Considered "Amanda's" and an episode of "Saturday Night Live" as her worst career experiences.

Considered "Amanda's" (1983) and an episode of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) as her worst career experiences. She also regretted the film version of Mame (1974), directed by her then-husband Gene Saks.

Her mother, Rebecca Frankel, died in 1986.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. pg. 29-30. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. pg. 29-30. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Once appeared on "Judge Judy" as a witness for a defendant who was involved in the animal rights organization PETA. The defendant won.

Once appeared on "Judge Judy" (1996) as a witness for a defendant who was involved in the animal rights organization PETA. The defendant won.

Bea won an award of achievement from Emerson College's Musical Theater Society, in Boston, in the spring of 2000.

Bea won an award of achievement from Emerson College's Musical Theater Society, in Boston, in the spring of 2000.

In 2002, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for her one-woman show "Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends".

In 2002, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for her one-woman show "Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends".

Words of remembrance for "Time" magazine's milestones tribute by TV critic Jim Poniewozik (Issue: May 11, 2009).