Then There Was Maude

Bea Arthur was one of the reasons I became an actor.

While I was in college, a couple people used to call me "Maude" because of my height, dry sense of humor and deep voice. (I am actually about 1.5 inches taller than Bea Arthur).

I always admired Arthur and fellow actress Nancy Marchand - who turned their height and voice into assets for their careers. And both who played feminist-types when it wasn't terribly fashionable to do so.

Arthur's acerbic wit and flawless timing is something that is unreplaceable. Arthur was born the same year as my own mother and still remained a class act to the end.

Bea - where you are now - I hope you are still knocking 'em out!

From UPPITYWOMAN:
Bea was a successful stage and Broadway actress long before she entered the world of TV sitcoms at age 50. Among her awards were an Emmy for Maude and a Tony for her stage performance with Angela Lansbury in Mame. She also played “Bea Vecchio” in the movie Lovers and Other Strangers. Bea Arthur was a huge animal lover and dedicated much time to the humane treatment and care of animals – along with her Golden Girls co-star Betty White. The cause of AIDs research was also dear to her heart.

So, do you know how she got her TV start? Anybody?

It all started with an episode of All in the Family.

Archie Bunker and the whole family were sick with the flu and Maude showed up as Edith’s Liberal cousin from back East. According to Bea, Maude was the only person who ever talked back to the prince of bigotry, anti-semitism, sexism and racism – and put him squarely in his place. Face it, Archie was the original Ignoramous Poster Boy. After this episode, the network was so impressed with Bea, they wrote the show Maude for her.




TO THOSE ON AN AGGREGATOR - CLICK HERE FOR THE ABOVE VIDEO



TO THOSE ON AN AGGREGATOR - CLICK HERE FOR THE ABOVE VIDEO



TO THOSE ON AN AGGREGATOR - CLICK HERE FOR THE ABOVE VIDEO



TO THOSE ON AN AGGREGATOR - CLICK HERE FOR THE ABOVE VIDEO


And Bea's absolutely HYSTERICAL send-up of SEX & THE CITY (watch what she does to the bus that splashes her - true New Yorker!):



TO THOSE ON AN AGGREGATOR - CLICK HERE FOR THE ABOVE VIDEO

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