Acting · New York City, New York, USA · Born May 13, 1922
Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress and comedian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Arthur began her career on stage in 1947, attracting critical acclaim before achieving worldwide recognition for her work on television beginning in the 1970s as Maude Findlay in the popular sitcoms All in the Family (1971–1972) and Maude (1972–1978) and later in the 1980s and 1990s as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls (1985–1992). She won several accolades throughout her career, beginning with the 1966 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in Mame. She won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1977 for Maude and 1988 for The Golden Girls. Arthur has received the third most nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series with nine; only Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11) and Mary Tyler Moore (10) have more. She was inducted into the academy's Television Hall of Fame in 2008. Her film appearances include Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and the film version of Mame (1974). In 2002, she starred in the one-woman show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends. An obituary described Arthur as "the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star." She served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve in World War II.
MovieThe Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20
2025
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
MovieHenry Fonda for President
2025
as Maude (archival footage)
MovieRock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
2023
as Self (archive footage)
TVGolden Girls 3033
2022
as Dorothy Zbornak (voice) (archive sound)
MovieForever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
2021
as Dorothy Zbornak
MovieBroadway: Beyond the Golden Age
2021
as Self
MovieThe Golden Girls: Ageless
2021
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBetty White: First Lady of Television
2018
as Self (archive Footage)
MovieO.J.: Made in America
2016
as Self (archive footage)
Back to the Grind
2007
MovieComedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson
2005
as Self
MovieBroadway's Lost Treasures II
2004
as Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
TVComedy Central Roasts
2003
as Self
MovieThe Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
2003
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak
The Terry and Gaby Show
2003
MovieBroadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003
as Self
MovieThe Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
2003
as Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
MovieEnemies of Laughter
2000
as Paul's Mother
TVCurb Your Enthusiasm
2000
as Larry's Mother
TVMalcolm in the Middle
2000
as Mrs. White
MovieThe N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
1999
as Self
TVBeggars and Choosers
1999
TVFuturama
1999
as Femputer (voice)
TVSo Graham Norton
1998
as Self - Guest
TVEmily of New Moon
1998
as The Voice
TVThe View
1997
as Self
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
1996
as Self
TVJudge Judy
1996
as Self - Defendant's Witness
MovieFor Better or Worse
1995
as Beverly Makeshift
TVEllen
1994
as Bea Arthur
MovieJerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl
1994
as Self
TVIntimate Portrait
1993
as Self
TVDave's World
1993
as Mel Bloom
TVThe Golden Palace
1992
as Dorothy Hollingsworth
TVBoulevard Bio
1991
as Self
MovieNight of 100 Stars III
1990
as Self
MovieThe Earth Day Special
1990
as Dorothy Zbornak
MovieMy First Love
1988
as Jean Miller
MovieMickey's 60th Birthday
1988
as Self
TVEmpty Nest
1988
as Dorothy Zbornak
MovieIrving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988
as Self
MovieHappy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieJay Leno's Family Comedy Hour
1987
as Self
MovieHappy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987
as Self
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
1986
as Self (uncredited)
MovieWalt Disney World 15th Anniversary
1986
as Self
MovieThe NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985
TVThe Golden Girls
1985
as Dorothy Zbornak
P.O.P.
1984
as Rosalyn Gordon
a.k.a. Pablo
1984
TVAmanda's
1983
as Amanda Cartwright
MovieNight of 100 Stars
1982
as Self
MovieHistory of the World: Part I
1981
as Dole office clerk (uncredited)
MovieThe Beatrice Arthur Special
1980
as Herself
MovieThe Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's
1980
as Self
MovieThe Star Wars Holiday Special
1978
as Ackmena
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
TVPeople's Choice Awards
1975
as Self
TVDinah!
1974
as Self
MovieMame
1974
as Vera Charles
TVMaude
1972
as Maude Findlay
TVAll in the Family
1971
as Maude Findlay
MovieLovers and Other Strangers
1970
as Bea Vecchio
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
MovieThat Kind of Woman
1959
as WAC (uncredited)
MovieThe Gift of the Magi
1958
as Mrs. Abercrombie
TVTony Awards
1956
as Self - Host
The George Gobel Show
1954
as Self
Max Liebman Presents
1954
TVOmnibus
1952
as Ugly Witch
TVHallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as Mrs. Abercrombie
TVStudio One
1948
TVBambi
1948
as Self
