Rue McClanahan Death: Bea Arthur Taught "Golden Girl" to "Go Out On A Limb"
NEW YORK (CBS) "Thank you for being a friend."
That familiar line begins the classic theme song of the heartwarming TV favorite "The Golden Girls" and much like the lyric, two of its recently passed stars shared in the love and joy of friendship.
PICTURES: Rue McClanahan: 1934-2010
PICTURES: Bea Arthur: 1922-2009
Rue McClanahan who passed away Thursday at the age of 76 learned a lot from that bond, especially with Bea Arthur.
Rue was Bea's friend and co-star as two characters in three series, one as the sweet but flippant Vivian on "Maude" and the second as the sassy Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls" (also reprised on CBS' "The Golden Palace").
When Bea Arthur passed away last year at the age of 86, Rue McClanahan reflected with The Early Show on what made it special.
"I learned a lot from her," McClanahan shared in April of 2009. "I learned not comedy timing. I already knew that. We already had that together. I learned courage. I learned how to go out on a limb. Really go out on a limb. Go as far as you dared, and a little bit farther."
McClanahan passed away June 3 from a massive stroke, reports People Magazine, which said she was surrounded by family.
Rue McClanahan Remembered by "Golden Girls" Co-Star Betty White and Other Celebrities
