Bea Arthur was an American actress and comedian best known for playing Maude Findlay in “Maude” and Dorothy Zbornak in “The Golden Girls.” She was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922, in New York City, and passed away on April 25, 2009, at age 86. She was known for her tall stature, deep voice, and sharp comedic timing.
Who was Bea Arthur?
Bea Arthur was an American actress, comedian, and singer whose career spanned nearly seven decades, from Broadway stages to television screens. She first gained attention as Maude Findlay, an outspoken feminist character on “All in the Family,” which later became the basis for her own hit sitcom, “Maude.”
She went on to become one of television’s most beloved comedic actresses as Dorothy Zbornak on “The Golden Girls,” a role that earned her a second Emmy Award and lasting popularity with audiences.
Beyond television, she had a strong stage career, winning a Tony Award for her performance as Vera Charles in the musical “Mame,” and later returned to Broadway with a one-woman show later in her career.
Bea Arthur’s Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bernice Frankel (known professionally as Beatrice “Bea” Arthur) |
| Nickname | Bea |
| Profession | Actress, Comedian, Singer |
| Date of Birth | May 13, 1922 |
| Date of Death | April 25, 2009 (age 86) |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Ethnicity | Jewish (Austrian and Polish heritage) |
| Known For | Playing Dorothy Zbornak in The Golden Girls and Maude Findlay in Maude |
Bea Arthur was raised in Cambridge, Maryland, after her family moved there from New York when she was young. Her parents ran a women’s clothing shop, and she grew up alongside two sisters in a Jewish household.
Bea Arthur Height, Weight and Physical Appearance? How tall was she?
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | Not officially documented |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown (later gray) |
| Body Type | Tall, broad-shouldered |
Bea Arthur stood at 5 feet 9 inches tall, having reached her full adult height by the time she was just 12 years old. This made her the tallest girl in her school and a source of early self-consciousness, though she later embraced her height as part of her commanding stage and screen presence.
Her tall frame, deep voice, and broad shoulders became a signature part of her comedic persona, often leading to her being cast in strong, authoritative roles throughout her career.
Background and Early Life
Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922, in New York City, to Philip Frankel, who was born in Poland, and Rebecca Frankel, who was born in Austria. In 1933, her family moved to Cambridge, Maryland, where her parents opened a women’s clothing store.
By age 12, she had already reached her adult height of 5 feet 9 inches, which set her apart from her classmates. She used humor to overcome her early shyness, eventually becoming known as the “wittiest girl” in her school.
She served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, reaching the rank of staff sergeant, before training as an actress at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School in New York City.
Was she married? Who was Bea Arthur’s husband?
Yes, Bea Arthur was married twice. Her first marriage was to fellow Marine Robert Alan Aurthur in 1944, whom she divorced in 1947, though she kept a version of his surname professionally.
In 1950, she married director Gene Saks, with whom she adopted two sons, Matthew and Daniel. The couple remained married until their divorce in 1978, though they reportedly stayed on good terms afterward.
She never remarried after her divorce from Saks and remained largely private about her personal relationships for the rest of her life.
Family Background
Bea Arthur’s parents were Philip and Rebecca Frankel, who ran a clothing shop after relocating the family to Cambridge, Maryland. She had two sisters, Gertrude and Marian.
With her second husband, Gene Saks, she adopted two sons: Matthew, who became an actor, and Daniel, who became a set designer. She was also survived by two granddaughters, Kyra and Violet.
She did not have any biological children of her own.
Bea Arthur’s Net Worth
| Period | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Early Broadway years (1950s–1960s) | Not publicly known |
| During “Maude” (1970s) | Several hundred thousand dollars |
| During “The Golden Girls” (1980s–1990s) | $5 million – $10 million |
| At time of death (2009) | $8 million – $25 million |
| Estate value in recent years | Estimated at over $10 million, largely from ongoing syndication |
Estimates of Bea Arthur’s net worth at the time of her death vary significantly across sources, ranging from around $8 million to as high as $25 million. Since her estate’s finances were never made fully public, these figures should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed facts.
Her wealth came primarily from her decades-long acting career, including her salary from “The Golden Girls,” ongoing royalties from the show’s syndication, and earlier stage and television work. In her will, she left $300,000 to the Ali Forney Center, an organization supporting homeless LGBT youth.
Career
Bea Arthur began her career on the New York stage in the late 1940s, eventually gaining critical acclaim in productions like “The Threepenny Opera” and originating the role of Yente the Matchmaker in the original 1964 Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” In 1966, she won a Tony Award for her performance as Vera Charles in “Mame.”
Her television breakthrough came in 1971, when she played Maude Findlay on “All in the Family,” a role so popular it led to her own spin-off series, “Maude,” which ran from 1972 to 1978 and earned her an Emmy Award.
In 1985, she took on her most iconic role as Dorothy Zbornak on “The Golden Girls,” which ran until 1992 and earned her a second Emmy Award. She later returned to Broadway in 2002 with a Tony-nominated one-woman show and made guest appearances on shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” later in her career.
Lesser-Known Facts About Bea Arthur
| Fact |
|---|
| She served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II |
| She trained and worked briefly as a medical lab technician |
| She originated the role of Yente in the original Fiddler on the Roof |
| She hosted Saturday Night Live twice |
| She was a lifelong animal rights activist |
| She left $300,000 to an LGBT youth charity in her will |
One interesting fact is that before becoming an actress, Bea Arthur served in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and later trained as a medical lab technician, a career path very different from the one she eventually became known for.
She was also a longtime supporter of animal rights and LGBTQ+ causes, and her family requested donations to PETA or the Art Attack Foundation in lieu of flowers after her death.
Bea Arthur’s Legacy and Later Life
Bea Arthur remained active in entertainment well after “The Golden Girls” ended in 1992, including a Tony-nominated one-woman Broadway show in 2002 and guest appearances on shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” She largely kept her health private, and her death in 2009 came as a shock to many fans who were unaware she had been battling cancer.
She passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles, California, on April 25, 2009, surrounded by her family. She was cremated, and her ashes were spread in Miami, the setting of “The Golden Girls.”
Her legacy continues through the ongoing popularity of “The Golden Girls” in syndication, along with her lasting impact as a trailblazer for older women and strong female characters on television.
FAQs
How tall was Bea Arthur?
She stood at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall, having reached her full height by age 12.
How old was Bea Arthur when she died?
She was born on May 13, 1922, and passed away on April 25, 2009, at the age of 86.
Who was Bea Arthur’s husband?
She was married twice, first to Robert Alan Aurthur and later to director Gene Saks, with whom she adopted two sons.
What was Bea Arthur’s net worth?
Estimates of her net worth at the time of her death range from around $8 million to $25 million, depending on the source.
What was Bea Arthur known for?
She was best known for playing Maude Findlay in “Maude” and Dorothy Zbornak in “The Golden Girls.”