Bea Arthur
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Bea Arthur |
Bucks County Playhouse productions
The Mistress of the Inn - Mirandolina - 1957
Internet Broadway Database - Bea Arthur
Internet Movie Database - Bea Arthur
Beatrice Arthur
(1923 - )
BEA ARTHUR broke onto the American theater scene in in 1954 when she performed in a high-profile production of The Three-Penny Opera. A talented singer, Arthur followed up her professional stage debut with a part in the successful off-Broadway musical The Shoestring Revue.
On Broadway, Arthur originated the role of Yente the matchmaker in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, then performed opposite Angela Lansbury in Mame. Arthur won a 1966 Tony for Mame and went on to reprise her role in the movie version opposite Lucille Ball.
Famed producer Norman Lear took note of Arthur's commanding performances and cast her as Edith Bunker's cousin, Maude, in the hit television series "All in the Family." Her character was so intriguing that she got her own series, "Maude," and in 1977 Arthur won an Emmy Award. Next, Arthur joined the cast of "The Golden Girls" as Dorothy, whom she played from 1985 to 1992. The role earned her a second Emmy in 1988.
After years of outstanding work on television, Arthur returned to Broadway in Woody Allen's "The Floating Lightbulb." Arthur won the Comedy Ace Award for her performance in the popular series "Malcolm in the Middle." Arthur's recent stage show "...And Then There's Bea," was the realization of a longtime dream. In addition, she has been active in fund-raising for AIDS research and animal rights.