Acting
Rue McClanahan
EN cinema · 73 credits
Born
21 February 1934
Died
3 June 2010 (aged 76)
Birthplace
Healdton, Oklahoma, USA
Also known as Patti Leigh · Patty Leigh · Rhue McClanahan · Ру МакКлэнахан
A veteran television actress and Broadway star of the 50s, Rue McClanahan was an actress noticed by television executive, Norman Lear. Lear cast her in a number of television shows, including "All in the Family" (1971) with 'Carroll OConnor' and "Maude" (1972) with Bea Arthur. McClanahan next co-starred with Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Betty White and Carol Burnett in "Mama's Family" (1983) for three years, and after it was canceled by NBC, McClanahan was probably best known for her role as the saucy, sharp southern belle, Blanche, in "The Golden Girls" (1985). She once again worked with Bea Arthur and Betty White, and with relative newcomer Estelle Getty. All four of the women won Emmy Awards for their roles. After Bea Arthur left the show after eight seasons, McClanahan, White and Getty returned for a brief spin-off in "The Golden Palace" (1992). In the mid-nineties, McClanahan was diagnosed with cancer, but was able to fight it successfully. In addition to lending her talents to a number of made for TV films, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen in recent years co-starring with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and with Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers (1997). McClanahan also spends her time joining and helping organizations against cancer, AIDS, and cruelty against animals.
Known for
Filmography
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20
as Self / Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
as Blanche Devereaux
The Golden Girls: Ageless
as Self (archive footage)
Betty White: First Lady of Television
as Self (archive Footage)
Gaze
as Self (archive footage)
Back to You & Me
as Helen Ludwick
Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock
as Mrs. Hardy (voice)
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
as Self / Blanche Devereaux
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
as Blanche Devereaux (archive footage)
Miracle Dogs
as Katherine Mannion
The Fighting Temptations
as Nancy Stringer
The Women
as Countess DeLage
Nuncrackers
as Reverend Mother
The Moving of Sophia Myles
as Mary-Margaret
A Saintly Switch
as Aunt Fanny
Rusty: A Dog's Tale
as Edna Callahan
Nunsense 3: The Jamboree
as Mother Superior
Border to Border
1998
Border to Border
as Mrs. Kirby
Starship Troopers
as Biology Teacher
This World, Then the Fireworks
as Mom Lakewood
Out to Sea
as Mrs. Carruthers
Annabelle's Wish
as Scarlett (voice)
Dear God
as Mom Turner
Innocent Victims
as Marylou Hennis
A Holiday to Remember
as Miz Leona / Clay's Aunt
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story
as Grandma Stephens
Nunsense 2: The Sequel
as Rev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
Nunsense
as Rev. Mother Mary Regina
Mother of the Bride
as Margaret Hix, Co-Executive Producer
Message from Nam
as Beatrice Andrews
Baby of the Bride
as Margaret Hix, Co-Executive Producer
Children of the Bride
as Margaret Becker
Modern Love
as Mrs. Evelyn Parker
The Dreamer of Oz
as Matilda Joslyn Gage
After the Shock
as Sherra Cox
To My Daughter
as Laura Carlson
The Earth Day Special
as Blanche Devereaux
The Man in the Brown Suit
as Suzy Blair
The Wickedest Witch
as Avarissa
Liberace
1988
Liberace
as Frances Liberace
The Little Match Girl
as Frances Dutton
Picnic
as Flo Owens
The Skin of Our Teeth
as Fortune Teller
The Day the Bubble Burst
as Barbara Arvey
Word of Honor
as Maggie McNeill
Gridlock
as Adele Sherman
Topper
as Clara Topper
Rainbow
as Ida Koverman
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force
as Mat's Mother
Having Babies III
as Gloria Miles
Blade
as Gail
The Rimers of Eldritch
as Cora Groves
Some of My Best Friends Are...
as Lita Joyce
Hogan's Goat
as Josey Finn
They Might Be Giants
as Daisy Playfair
The People Next Door
as Della
Angel's Flight
as Dolly
How to Succeed with Girls
1964
How to Succeed with Girls
as Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
Five Minutes to Love
as Sally 'Poochie'
Five Minutes to Live
as Pamela
Hollywood After Dark
as Sandy