Rue McClanahan

Actress

"This was funny. These were great characters. We had a great hit on our hands I knew it. Betty White was always astounded. She’d say, 'we got picked up for another 13!' I’d say, 'Betty, join the real world. This is a big hit.'"

About This Interview

Rue McClanahan was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in New York, NY. McClanahan talked about her acting start on the stage and touched on some of her feature films from the 1960s. She discussed her first regular role in television as scheming nurse “Caroline Johnson” on Another World. She recalled how, when her character tries unsuccessfully to poison the mother of the twins she is caring for, she received a fan letter recommending a better poison. She spoke in great detail about her role as “Vivian Cavender” best friend to Bea Arthur on the television sitcom Maude. She described her character, talked about working with the ensemble cast, and commented on memorable series episodes. She then talked about her work as series regular “Aunt Fran” on Mama’s Family. Lastly she discussed at length the production of the classic 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls and her role of “Blanche Devereaux.” She talked about the casting process, working with the series production personnel, and the transition of the show into The Golden Palace. The interview was conducted by Jim Colucci on May 4, 2006.

Highlights

Chapters

Shows

People

Topics

Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Women
- Rue McClanahan on feminism during the Maude years (00m 35s)

Genres

Daytime/Primetime Serials
- Rue McClanahan on being dropped from the soap Another World (02m 03s)

Submitted by ladero1954 on Sun, 2011-07-03 17:50.

Not that it matters but she misspoke about Ardmore being 60 miles EAST of Durant, OK. It's actually WEST but then how many people know that area, anyway!!

Submitted by ehunter577 on Sat, 2011-02-19 23:53.

@7bcg I found nothing wrong with the interviewer. I am assuming Rue was just having a bad day and it must have been a rough one since she dissed so many people in this interview and overall just came across very negative.

Submitted by deb1920 on Wed, 2010-11-10 11:59.

@adeniseb She was acting that way because he kept asking questions that ran on forever and by the time he was done asking it, she would have to ask what was the question again.

Submitted by lovelyjoints on Fri, 2010-09-10 18:09.

@storrs19 - Maude doesn't stand up I'm afraid. The Golden Girls does.

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