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 ....