Rue McClanahan

Rue was the youngest of the four women who starred on The Golden Girls. She is actually 13 years younger than Betty White (Rose) and 12 years younger than Beatrice Arthur (Dorothy) and Estelle Getty (Sophia)!

During the casting period for The Golden Girls, Rue was originally asked to read the role of sweet, naive Rose Nylund. Rue really wanted to play Blanche Devereaux, however, and after reading through as Rose, they eventually decided that Blanche was a better part for her.

Rue says her father disapproved of some of the risque lines she had to say on The Golden Girls.

Rue actually plants fruit trees, picks the fruit and then cans it herself.

Rue was named after her mother, Rhuea Nell who owned a beauty shop when Rue was a child.

Some of Rue's passions are writing music and plays.

Rue was given the nickname "Ruesy" by the cast and crew of The Golden Girls.

Rue loves to watch The Simpsons.

Rue was a member of her high school's Drama Club.

When Rue was in high school, she drove a pink Model A Ford.

Rue's favorite actor was Marlon Brando.

Rue loves to eat chocolate.

Rue's favorite movie is Gone With the Wind.

Rue has an ability to fall asleep at anytime, anywhere she is. She once went to sleep behind the couch on The Golden Girls set during a break in filming.

In 2003, Rue co-starred in the movie The Fighting Tempations with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce Knowles.

While working on Mama's Family, Rue became extremely ill in her dressing room and had to go emergency surgery to remove her gall bladder.

In 1972 after seeing her performance in Tonight In Living Color, producer Norman Lear asked her to make a guest appearance on his show All in the Family.

While a senior in high school, Rue ran the dance academy she attended earlier in life.

While in high school, Rue was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by her peers.

Rue began acting on stage in New York City in 1957.

Rue graduated from Ardmore High School in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Rue became a sister of the Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Tulsa.

She performs on the Broadway show Wicked, as the head of Shiz University.

Aunt of actress Amelia Kinkade.

Has been married 6 times.

Rue is known for her role as sexy roomate Blanche Devereaux on the Golden Girls

Nominated for a Golden Globe in 1986, 1987, and 1988 for "The Golden Girls"