Bea Arthur, Star of ‘Golden Girls’ and ‘Maude’ Dies

Bea Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows “Maude” and “The Golden Girls”, died at the age of 86 yesterday.

From the Associated Press:

Arthur died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, family spokesman Dan Watt said. She had cancer, Watt said, declining to give further details.

“She was a brilliant and witty woman,” said Watt, who was Arthur’s personal assistant for six years. “Bea will always have a special place in my heart.”

Arthur first appeared in the landmark comedy series “All in the Family” as Edith Bunker’s loudly outspoken, liberal cousin, Maude Finley. She proved a perfect foil for blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), and their blistering exchanges were so entertaining that producer Norman Lear fashioned Arthur’s own series.