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Beatrice Arthur

Actress

"I really feel that I'm an exposed nerve.  I don't know how else to say it.  But I'm moved by everything."

About This Interview

Beatrice Arthur (1922-2009) declares her higher ideals for television: "I was bringing my theater training to television.  I remember somebody said— and it's true— that I was trying to turn sitcom into an art form."  Arthur won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for her portrayal of "Maude Findlay" on Maude and as "Dorothy Zbornak" on The Golden Girls.    In her Archive interview, Arthur relates the origins of her stage name and looks back on her theater training at the New School for Social Research in New York City.  She recounts being cast by Norman Lear on television's The George Gobel Show, and notes other television appearances she made at this time, such as on the now-classic Your Show of Shows.  On her stage work, Arthur fondly points to "Mame" as a highlight (for which she won the Tony Award, followed up with a repeat performance in the film version— that was for her, a disappointment).  She relates how she appeared as Edith Bunker's liberal cousin "Maude" on All in the Family, a guest-starring role for which she made such an impression, that the network ordered the spin-off, Maude. She discusses how Maude, in addition to offering over-the-top comedy set-ups, took on a number of controversial subjects— including abortion, psychoanalysis, and plastic surgery.  Having never watched the series when it was running, Arthur mentions her reaction to catching episodes of Maude on early morning television, many years later. She then speaks briefly about her next series, Amanda's, and acknowledges the show's failure.  She enthusiastically describes reading the pilot script of The Golden Girls, considering it "one of the funniest, most adult, hilarious, sophisticated, terrific, delicious things I had ever read."  She notes some of her favorite moments from the show and compliments her fellow actors.  Lastly, she identifies what she feels is her proudest career achievement as well as her biggest regrets, and offers advice on playing comedy. Beatrice Arthur  was interviewed in Brentwood, CA on March 15, 2001; Karen Herman conducted the over two-hour interview.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • All in the Family
  • Amanda's
  • Beatrice Arthur Special, The
  • George Gobel Show, The
  • Golden Girls, The
  • Maude
  • Once Upon a Tune
  • Saturday Night Live
  • Star Wars Holiday Special, The

People

  • Lucille Ball
  • Sid Caesar
  • Hal Cooper
  • Norman Lear
  • Rue McClanahan

Topics

  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Fame & Celebrity

Professions

  • Performers

Featured Content

Clip: Beatrice Arthur on All in the Family -- her first appearance as "Maude"

Beatrice Arthur was inducted into the 18th Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.Emmy Hall of Fame Logo

Resources

LINKS:

MBC Encyclopedia of Television entry on Beatrice Arthur 

DVD: Maude - The Complete First Season 

DVD: The Golden Girls - The Complete First Season

YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
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  • Professions

Highlights

  • Beatrice Arthur on how she was perceived as a feminist after <i>Maude</i>Beatrice Arthur on how she was perceived as a feminist after Maude
    Clip begins at: 13:00, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Beatrice Arthur on her nameBeatrice Arthur on her name
    Clip begins at: 00:52, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Beatrice Arthur on her first big break in theatre and finding her comic voiceBeatrice Arthur on her first big break in theatre and finding her comic voice
    Clip begins at: 09:21, Duration: 03m 06s
  • Beatrice Arthur on feeling she's an "exposed nerve"<BR/>Beatrice Arthur on feeling she's an "exposed nerve"
    Clip begins at: 10:27, Duration: 00m 40s
  • Beatrice Arthur on her favorite episode of Maude, "The Convention" (airdate: January 2, 1973)Beatrice Arthur on her favorite episode of Maude, "The Convention" (airdate: January 2, 1973)
    Clip begins at: 11:39, Duration: 01m 44s
  • Beatrice Arthur on how she got the role of Dorothy on <i>The Golden Girls</i>Beatrice Arthur on how she got the role of Dorothy on The Golden Girls
    Clip begins at: 06:35, Duration: 01m 19s
  • Beatrice Arthur on working with Estelle Getty on <i>The Golden Girls</i>Beatrice Arthur on working with Estelle Getty on The Golden Girls
    Clip begins at: 11:42, Duration: 02m 31s
  • Beatrice Arthur on how she would like to be rememberedBeatrice Arthur on how she would like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 15:59, Duration: 00m 16s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On her early years and her interest in theatre
    Clip begins at: 0:40
  • On studying acting and her first breaks in theatre and working in revues
    Clip begins at: 05:40
  • On her first TV roles, including The George Gobel Show  and Caesar's Hour
    Clip begins at: 15:05
  • Part 2
  • On her theatre work in Ulysses in Nighttown , Fiddler on the Roof and Mame
    Clip begins at: 0:27
  • On her limited work in film and briefly on her appearance on The Star Wars Christmas Special
    Clip begins at: 06:33
  • On her political views before Maude  and her breakthrough appearance on All in the Family
    Clip begins at: 12:07
  • On getting cast as "Cousin Maude" on All in the Family and how that led to the spin-off, Maude
    Clip begins at: 13:48
  • On working on Maude
    Clip begins at: 17:22
  • On the character of "Maude"
    Clip begins at: 21:40
  • Part 3
  • On the character of "Maude" and working with the cast of Maude
    Clip begins at: 0:61
  • On the professional history of the cast of Maude
    Clip begins at: 02:56
  • On the fan mail she got during Maude
    Clip begins at: 03:41
  • On Norman Lear's taboo-breaking work
    Clip begins at: 04:51
  • On some memorable episodes of Maude
    Clip begins at: 06:02
  • On working with Maude co-star Bill Macy
    Clip begins at: 13:56
  • On working with Maude co-stars Rue McClanahan, Adrienne Barbeau and Esther Rolle
    Clip begins at: 17:16
  • On her "Maude" catchphrase, the relationship of "Maude" and "Walter", and the end of Maude
    Clip begins at: 22:27
  • On Maude's going off the air and her dislike of reunion shows
    Clip begins at: 24:27
  • On starring in a special after Maude left the air
    Clip begins at: 28:02
  • Part 4
  • On working Woody Allen's play The Floating Lightbulb; starring in the ill-fated sitcom Amanda's
    Clip begins at: 0:28
  • On working with the cast and producers of The Golden Girls
    Clip begins at: 06:35
  • On some episodes of The Golden Girls ; and leaving the series
    Clip begins at: 17:02
  • Part 5
  • On her work after The Golden Girls, including her stage show "And then there's Bea"
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On celebrity, her achievements, and advice to aspiring performers
    Clip begins at: 05:53
  • Describes a few photos from her collection (most from Mame)
    Clip begins at: 16:24

Shows

  • All in the Family
    • Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit" (airdate: December 11, 1971), leading to the spinoff, Maude
      Clip begins at: 13:56, Duration: 02m 54s
  • Amanda's
    • Beatrice Arthur on her ill-fated sitcom Amanda's
      Clip begins at: 02:28, Duration: 02m 52s
  • Beatrice Arthur Special, The
    • Beatrice Arthur on starring in The Beatrice Arthur Special after Maude left the air
      Clip begins at: 28:02, Duration: 01m 00s
  • Caesar's Hour
    • Beatrice Arthur on her small roles on Caesar's Hour
      Clip begins at: 16:28, Duration: 02m 38s
  • George Gobel Show, The
    • Beatrice Arthur on being cast on The George Gobel Show in its last season
      Clip begins at: 15:05, Duration: 01m 23s
  • Golden Girls, The
    • Beatrice Arthur on how she got the role of Dorothy on The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 06:35, Duration: 01m 19s
    • Beatrice Arthur on her character Dorothy on The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 10:04, Duration: 01m 18s
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Estelle Getty and the fun she had with her character on The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 11:42, Duration: 02m 31s
    • Beatrice Arthur on her favorite Golden Girls episode (with Sonny & Cher parody) "An Illegitimate Concern" (airdate: February 12, 1990)
      Clip begins at: 19:46, Duration: 00m 57s
    • Beatrice Arthur on leaving The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 26:14, Duration: 01m 10s
  • Maude
    • Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit" (airdate: December 11, 1971), leading to the spinoff, Maude
      Clip begins at: 13:56, Duration: 02m 54s
    • Beatrice Arthur on the production of Maude
      Clip begins at: 17:23, Duration: 03m 52s
    • Beatrice Arthur on the character of Maude Findlay
      Clip begins at: 21:40, Duration: 08m 03s
    • Beatrice Arthur on the character of "Maude Findlay"
      Clip begins at: 01:01, Duration: 01m 43s
    • Beatrice Arthur on her favorite episode of Maude , "The Convention" (airdate: January 2, 1973)
      Clip begins at: 11:39, Duration: 01m 44s
    • Beatrice Arthur on the Maude episode "The Game Show" (airdate: November 8, 1976)
      Clip begins at: 22:36, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Once Upon a Tune
    • Beatrice Arthur on appearing on the 1951 DuMont show, Once Upon a Tune
      Clip begins at: 20:00, Duration: 00m 28s
  • Saturday Night Live
    • Beatrice Arthur on regretting guest hosting on Saturday Night Live (airdate: November 17, 1979)
      Clip begins at: 08:07, Duration: 00m 30s
  • Star Wars Holiday Special, The
    • Beatrice Arthur on guest starring on The Star Wars Holiday Special
      Clip begins at: 10:07, Duration: 00m 51s

People

  • Woody Allen
    • Beatrice Arthur on starring in Woody Allen's play The Floating Lightbulb
      Clip begins at: 00:28, Duration: 01m 15s
  • Hermione Baddeley
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Hermione Baddeley
      Clip begins at: 22:07, Duration: 00m 20s
  • Lucille Ball
    • Beatrice Arthur on her opinion that Lucille Ball should not have done Mame
      Clip begins at: 04:59, Duration: 01m 34s
  • Adrienne Barbeau
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Adrienne Barbeau
      Clip begins at: 18:45, Duration: 00m 57s
  • Sid Caesar
    • Beatrice Arthur on her small roles on Caesar's Hour
      Clip begins at: 17:38, Duration: 01m 28s
  • Hal Cooper
    • Beatrice Arthur on Maude director Hal Cooper
      Clip begins at: 12:22
  • Herb Edelman
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Herb Edelman (as Stan) on The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 17:02, Duration: 01m 10s
  • Estelle Getty
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Estelle Getty on The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 11:42, Duration: 02m 31s
  • Susan Harris
    • Beatrice Arthur on Golden Girls creator Susan Harris
      Clip begins at: 09:28, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Norman Lear
    • Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear casting her on The George Gobel Show
      Clip begins at: 15:05, Duration: 01m 23s
    • Beatrice Arthur on Maude readthroughs
      Clip begins at: 19:44, Duration: 01m 30s
    • Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's response when she didn't like a Maude script
      Clip begins at: 22:27, Duration: 01m 17s
    • Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's taboo-breaking work
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 11s
  • Bill Macy
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Bill Macy
      Clip begins at: 13:56, Duration: 02m 35s
  • Rue McClanahan
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Rue McClanahan on The Golden Girls
      Clip begins at: 14:13, Duration: 00m 51s
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Rue McClanahan
      Clip begins at: 17:16, Duration: 01m 24s
  • Burgess Meredith
    • Beatrice Arthur on Burgess Meredith directing Ulysses in Nighttown
      Clip begins at: 01:12, Duration: 00m 23s
  • Esther Rolle
    • Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Esther Rolle
      Clip begins at: 20:31, Duration: 01m 25s
  • Elliot Schoenman
    • Beatrice Arthur on Amanda's, produced by Elliot Schoenman
      Clip begins at: 02:28, Duration: 02m 52s

Topics

  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Beatrice Arthur on Maude's catchphrase: "God will get you for that!"
      Clip begins at: 23:27, Duration: 00m 21s
  • Television Industry > Fame & Celebrity
    • Beatrice Arthur on fame and celebrity
      Clip begins at: 06:11, Duration: 01m 26s

Genres

  • Comedy Series
    • Beatrice Arthur on the changing landscape of female characters in sitcoms
      Clip begins at: 27:09, Duration: 02m 14s
    • Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's taboo-breaking work
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 11s
    • Beatrice Arthur on how every sitcom eventually does a game show episode
      Clip begins at: 22:36, Duration: 00m 43s
    • Beatrice Arthur on acting in a sitcom (The Golden Girls )
      Clip begins at: 24:37, Duration: 01m 34s
    • Beatrice Arthur on how television changed through her career
      Clip begins at: 09:03, Duration: 01m 53s

Professions

  • Performers > Actress
    • Beatrice Arthur on finding her comedic voice
      Clip begins at: 09:21, Duration: 03m 06s
    • Beatrice Arthur on acting in a sitcom (The Golden Girls )
      Clip begins at: 24:37, Duration: 01m 34s
    • Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 10:56, Duration: 02m 18s
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Submitted by David Young on Tue, 2013-04-02 03:37.

Under the "Interview" tab it is showing only four parts (labeled "Part One", "Part Two", "Part Three", and "Part Four"). When you open up any of them, however, the videos are labeled "Part One of Five", "Part Two of Five", etc. The current choices skip of "Part Three of Five" (if you click on "Part Three" in the "Interview" tab it takes you to "Part Four of Five", and clicking "Part Four" takes you to "Part Five of Five"). Anyway we can get the missing "Part Three of Four added back (or explained as to why it's not there). Thanks!

Submitted by Adrienne Faillace on Fri, 2013-04-12 20:08.

Hi David - All five parts should now appear under the "INTERVIEW" tab. Thanks!

Submitted by Lisa on Fri, 2013-02-22 12:47.

She is fantastic. Such an inspiration. Thought the interviewer was very amateurish and lacked diplomacy a lot of the time as Bea can be extremely shy at times. She also asked the same questions over and over. Loved the part where you here the scraping at the door and Bea saids is that my dog. Wish they let it in so we could see it. Overall, just loved hearing her stories. Think she was way too underrated, particularly for her role as Maude, which would have been very hard to play the over the top Maude and at the same time making her real and loveable. Love you Bea. Not only for your acting but for you helping animals and people less fortunate than yourself

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2013-01-17 20:36.

I never knew anyone who dressed like her in Maude and Golden Girls. The clothes
were horrible!! Was this her style in real life or just for the characters she played?

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2012-09-16 15:23.

i found part 4 but i couldn't find part 5.. pls help us tnx

Submitted by Jenni Matz on Tue, 2012-09-18 21:54.

If you click on the "Interviews" tab below the video player (the second tab) and scroll down you will see all 5 chapters. Just click on Chapter 5 to play.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2012-03-02 12:37.

I noticed she talked about everyone she ever worked with except for Betty White, which makes me a little sad...I guess its true that they didnt get along

Submitted by Cera on Tue, 2011-12-27 05:06.

This is so fabulous! Just listening to her speak about the past is just fascinating! What an amazing actress she was.

Submitted by mcquakkers on Fri, 2010-09-03 03:54.

I just noticed the picture behind Bea's left shoulder (to our right) is of her as Maude and Bill Macy (Walter)

Submitted by DorothyRoseBlancheSo on Thu, 2010-07-22 17:25.

This is fascinating!

Could you post Parts 4 and 5, which seem to be missing? Would love to hear her talk about "Golden Girls"!

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