Bea Arthur.

Bernice Frankel

Born 13 May 1922 Brooklyn, United States

Died 25 Apr 2009 Brentwood, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 104 yr If Living

18 min read

Reading time

3,401

Words

Oct 14, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Bea Arthur, born Bernice Frankel in 1922, played Maude Findlay on Maude and Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls. She won three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for her role in Mame. Her deep voice and height made her a distinctive comedic presence. She also served in the Marine Corps during World War II.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Bea Arthur — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Bernice Frankel

Nicknames Bea

Aliases Beatrice Arthur, as Beatrice Arthur, Beatrice Aurthur, Beatrice Author

Spouses: Gene Saks Robert Alan Aurthur

At a glance.

STATS

Bea Arthur by the numbers — life, work, and family.

86 Years lived

7 Awards

2 Marriages

Who was Bea Arthur?

BIOGRAPHY

Bea Arthur — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

At age 12, standing 5’9, Bea Arthur was already the tallest girl in her school in Maryland, where her parents ran a dress shop. Born Bernice Frankel in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 13, 1922, she earned the title of Wittiest Girl in high school at Linden Hall School for Girls. After working as a laboratory technician and serving in the Marine Corps as a truck driver and typist during World War II, she told her parents she wanted to pursue show business. They supported her decision to study at the New School’s Dramatic Workshop in New York.

Career

In 1964, Bea Arthur stole the show as Yente the Matchmaker in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. Two years later, she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Vera Charles in Mame, directed by her husband Gene Saks. Her 1971 guest appearance on All in the Family as Maude Findlay led to her own spin-off, Maude 1972–1978, where she tackled controversial topics and won her first Emmy. In 1985, she began starring as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls, which ran for seven seasons and earned her a second Emmy. She also appeared in the film version of Mame 1974 and the Star Wars Holiday Special 1978.

Personal life

Bea Arthur married screenwriter Robert Alan Aurthur in 1947, taking a variation of his surname as her stage name; they divorced in 1948. In 1950, she married director Gene Saks, with whom she adopted two sons, Matthew born 1961 and Daniel born 1964. The couple divorced in 1978, and she never remarried. A lifelong liberal Democrat and animal rights activist, she often donated to causes supporting women’s rights and gay liberation. She died of lung cancer on April 25, 2009, at her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

Legacy

Bea Arthur’s television roles had a lasting impact, with her character Dorothy Zbornak becoming a cultural touchstone. She inspired future stars including Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who cited her as a childhood heroine. In 2009, she was posthumously inducted as a Disney Legend alongside her Golden Girls co-stars. Her will bequeathed $300,000 to the Ali Forney Center, which supports homeless LGBT youth, leading to the creation of the Bea Arthur Residence. She is most remembered for her towering presence, wit, and groundbreaking roles on Maude and The Golden Girls.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 5

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Bea Arthur — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Disney Legends
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical
TV Land Award
Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 13

A wall of memorable lines from Bea Arthur — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

All This Time I’ve Just Wanted to Be Blonde, Beautiful and 5 Feet 2 Inches Tall.
I Really Feel All My Adult Life Has Been Spent in That Little Black Box. If a Wonderful Part on TV Came Along I Would Do It. but I Don’t Want to Do a Recurring Role. It Would Just Be My Luck That the Thing Would Be Successful. I’m Old Enough Now and Also Secure Enough Financially That I Really Only Want to Do What I Want to Do.
At Least I’m Not Playing Other People for a Change. It’s a Very Odd Place to Be… I Feel I’m an Actress Who Sings a Bit.
After Being in the Business for Such a Long Time, I’ve Done Everything but Rodeo and Porno.
And I Hate Autobiographies, I Don’t Know Why.
Look – I’m 5-Feet-9, I Have a Deep Voice and I Have a Way with a Line. What Can I Do About It? I Can’t Stay Home Waiting for Something Different. I Think It’s a Total Waste of Energy Worrying About Typecasting.
Let’s Face It, Nobody Ever Asked Me to Play Juliet.
In Sitcoms, the Women Are so Beautiful, Understanding and Well-bred. They Have Humor, but Sort of Display It with a Twinkle of the Eye and Not a Guffaw. but There’s No Juice in That for Me.
I Don’t Think They Realized How Completely Vulnerable I Am. Matter of Fact, I May Start Crying Right Now; If You Let Me.
As an Artist. as an Important Artist.
I Really Feel That I’m an Exposed Nerve… I Don’t Know How Else to Say It, but I Am. I’m Moved by Everything.
I’ve Seen so Many Excellent Actors – Excellent Actors – Who the Minute They’re Told They’re in a Comedy Turn into God Knows What – Creatures from Another Planet! I Mean They Just.. the Voice Changes, They Don’t Look the Same, It’s Like – It Has No Similarity to Any Living Human Being, Do You Know What I Mean? or Don’t You? and I’m Not Talking About Sylvester Stallone… but There’s a Good Example. You Know What I Mean? It Comes Down to What I Said at the Beginning of This: Belief, Truth… It’s Truth.
I’ve Been a Democrat My Whole Life. That’s What Makes Maude and Dorothy so Believable, We Have the Same Viewpoints on How Our Country Should Be Handled.

Did you know?

FACTS · 49

Little-known facts about Bea Arthur — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Just a few days after her death, the Broadway community paid tribute to Arthur by dimming the marquees of New York City’s Broadway theater district in her memory for one minute at 8:00 p.m.
Remained a big fan of The Golden Girls long after the show ended, proudly watching old reruns. She said, Sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and think of a line and start to laugh. The writing was brilliant.
Was a qualified medical technician.
She served in the Marine Corps during World War II, rising from private to staff sergeant.
Since appearing together in Mame, she and Angela Lansbury were best friends; she spoke fondly of the friendship in her one-woman show.
In May 2013 a nude painting of her sold for $1.9 million in New York City.
Legally changed her name from Bernice Frankel to Bea Arthur, a variation of Robert Alan Aurthur’s surname, whom she wed in 1947.
Before she was a successful actress, Bea Arthur was one of the first women to become an active-duty United States Marine. She volunteered and served during World War II as a truck driver and typist, stationed at Marine Corps and Navy air stations in Virginia and North Carolina.
In an interview after Arthur’s death, ex-co-star Betty White said Arthur wasn’t too fond of White—Arthur had found her a pain in the neck sometimes and White would set her off.
Met first husband Robert Alan Aurthur, at the time a Marine, the year after her enlistment in the Marines.
Dorothy Zbornak, her character from The Golden Girls, was based on creator Susan Harris.
Was 5’9-1/2 by the time she was 12 years old.
According to a television interview, Arthur claimed her start in comedy came when she was a lounge singer; the audience would laugh at her because of her deep voice and height, and a nightclub manager told her she should do comedy.
On June 8, 2008, her show The Golden Girls was awarded the Pop Culture Award at the Sixth Annual TV Land Awards. Arthur accepted with Rue McClanahan and Betty White—it was her last public appearance.
Enjoyed spending time with her family, singing, collecting antique furniture, traveling, gardening, taking care of pets, and dancing.
When she was a young girl, she used to do Mae West imitations.
Survived by her two sons, Matthew Saks born July 14, 1961 and Daniel Saks born May 8, 1964, whom she and former husband Gene Saks adopted at birth.
Once appeared on Judge Judy as a witness for a defendant involved with PETA; the defendant won.
After her death, the Ali Forney Center in New York learned that she had left them $300,000 in her will; they planned to use the bequest to buy a building named The Bea Arthur Residence for LGBT Homeless Youth.
Though Estelle Getty played her mother in The Golden Girls, Estelle was one year younger than Bea.
Met Carroll O’Connor in 1964 when he was doing a play called Ulysses in Nighttown. Eight years later, Arthur guest-starred on All in the Family before her spin-off Maude.
Got a phone call from Norman Lear about guest-starring on All in the Family; Lear insisted despite Arthur hating flying. She agreed at the last minute, which led to Maude.
Before becoming a successful actress, she was employed to sing on weekends for $2 a night in Cambridge, Maryland.
Her son Daniel Saks was the set designer for the sitcom Dharma & Greg.
She and Golden Girls co-star Estelle Getty were posthumously inducted as Disney Legends in 2009; Betty White and Rue McClanahan were also inducted that year.
Future actors Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, and comedians Graham Elwood, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Leah Remini all said Arthur was their childhood television heroine.
In 1966 she won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in Mame, a part she recreated in the film version.
Former college classmate of Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Harry Belafonte, and Rod Steiger.
She was frequently referenced as the favorite actress and an icon to the Marvel Comics character Deadpool.
She retired from acting at age 83 after her last guest-starring role on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Instructed her family that no funeral be held after her passing.
Met second husband Gene Saks while in acting school in 1949.
Considered Amanda’s and an episode of Saturday Night Live as her worst career experiences; she also regretted the film version of Mame.
Bea Arthur passed away on April 25, 2009; her co-star Estelle Getty passed away one year before her in July 2008.
Remained good friends with Adrienne Barbeau during and after Maude.
In 2002 she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for her one-woman show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends.
Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide six times.
Claimed that co-star Esther Rolle didn’t display comedic talent on Maude until she was given her own show Good Times.
Resided in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, California, for 37 years, from 1972 to 2009.
As a girl, Arthur attended Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz, Pennsylvania, where she was voted The Wittiest Girl in High School. Later she attended Blackstone College for Girls in Virginia.
She was a lifelong liberal Democrat, supporting Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama, among others.
Was the popular national spokesperson for Canadian drug store chain Shoppers Drug Mart in television and radio commercials throughout the 1980s.
Arthur’s first husband Robert Alan Aurthur died of lung cancer in 1978.
She died on the 20th anniversary of the death of Lucille Ball, her Mame co-star.
Had escaped the alienation she felt in the Eastern shore town by going to the movies on Saturdays.
In September 2003, at the Savoy Theatre in London, England, she performed her show Bea Arthur at the Savoy.
In honor of her 100th birthday on May 13, 2022, her name was cited first in nationwide Born on This Day columns.
Played Dorothy Zbornak on three shows: The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, and The Golden Palace.
She is survived by two granddaughters, Kyra and Violet.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 50

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Bea Arthur.

When was Bea Arthur born?

Bea Arthur was born on May 13, 1922. She came into the world as Bernice Frankel in Brooklyn, New York City.
Where was Bea Arthur born?

Bea Arthur was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. She grew up in Maryland where her parents ran a dress shop.
When did Bea Arthur die?

Bea Arthur died on April 25, 2009. She passed away at her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California.
Where did Bea Arthur die?

Bea Arthur died in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, USA. She had lived in that neighborhood for 37 years.
How old was Bea Arthur when she died?

Bea Arthur was 86 years old at the time of her death. She died from lung cancer.
How did Bea Arthur die?

Bea Arthur died from lung cancer. She passed away at home surrounded by her family.
What was Bea Arthur's birth name?

Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel. She legally changed her name to Bea Arthur after her first husband’s surname.
What is Bea Arthur's real name?

Her real name was Bernice Frankel. She adopted the stage name Bea Arthur from a variation of her first husband’s surname.
What did Bea Arthur do for a living?

Bea Arthur was an actor, music crew member, and soundtrack artist. She is best known for her television roles on Maude and The Golden Girls.
What nationality was Bea Arthur?

Bea Arthur was American. She was born and died in the United States.
What language did Bea Arthur speak?

Bea Arthur spoke English as her native language. She was born in New York City to a Jewish family.
Was Bea Arthur married?

Bea Arthur was married twice. Her first husband was Robert Alan Aurthur from 1947 to 1948, and her second husband was Gene Saks from 1950 to 1978.
Who was Bea Arthur married to?

Bea Arthur was married to Robert Alan Aurthur and Gene Saks. Gene Saks was a director who directed her in Mame.
Did Bea Arthur have children?

Yes, Bea Arthur had two sons, Matthew Saks and Daniel Saks. She and husband Gene Saks adopted them at birth.
Where did Bea Arthur go to school?

Bea Arthur attended Blackstone College for Girls in Virginia and later studied at The New School’s Dramatic Workshop in New York. She also attended Linden Hall School for Girls in Pennsylvania.
What awards did Bea Arthur win?

Bea Arthur won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Mame, and a Disney Legends award. She also received a TV Land Award.
How many awards did Bea Arthur win?

Bea Arthur won at least seven major awards, including three Emmys and two Tony Awards. She was also inducted as a Disney Legend in 2009.
What was Bea Arthur best known for?

Bea Arthur is best known for her television roles as Maude Findlay on Maude and Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls. She also starred in the Broadway musical Mame.
How tall was Bea Arthur?

Bea Arthur was 5 feet 10 inches tall, which is 1.77 meters. By age 12, she was already 5’9.
What was Bea Arthur's nickname?

Bea Arthur was commonly called Bea, short for her birth name Bernice. She was also known as Beatrice Arthur in some credits.
Why did Bea Arthur change her name?

Bea Arthur changed her name from Bernice Frankel to Bea Arthur after her first husband, Robert Alan Aurthur. She used a variation of his surname as her stage name.
Did Bea Arthur serve in the military?

Yes, Bea Arthur served in the Marine Corps during World War II. She was one of the first women to become an active-duty Marine, working as a truck driver and typist.
What did Bea Arthur do before acting?

Before acting, Bea Arthur worked as a laboratory technician and served in the Marine Corps. She also sang for $2 a night in Cambridge, Maryland.
How did Bea Arthur get into comedy?

Bea Arthur started as a lounge singer, but audiences laughed at her deep voice and height. A nightclub manager told her she should do comedy instead, which launched her comedic career.
Was Bea Arthur friends with Angela Lansbury?

Yes, Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury became best friends after working together in the musical Mame. Arthur spoke fondly of their friendship in her one-woman show.
What was Bea Arthur's last public appearance?

Bea Arthur’s last public appearance was at the Sixth Annual TV Land Awards on June 8, 2008. She accepted the Pop Culture Award with Rue McClanahan and Betty White.
What did Bea Arthur leave in her will?

Bea Arthur left $300,000 to the Ali Forney Center in New York, which supports homeless LGBT youth. The center used the bequest to create the Bea Arthur Residence.
Did Bea Arthur have a one-woman show?

Yes, Bea Arthur performed a one-woman show titled Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends in 2002. She received a Tony Award nomination for it.
Was Bea Arthur a Democrat?

Yes, Bea Arthur was a lifelong liberal Democrat. She supported presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama, and donated to the Democratic National Committee.
What was Bea Arthur's character on The Golden Girls?

Bea Arthur played Dorothy Zbornak, a witty and sarcastic schoolteacher, on The Golden Girls. The character was based on creator Susan Harris.
How long did The Golden Girls run?

The Golden Girls ran for seven seasons, from 1985 to 1992. Bea Arthur chose to leave the show when she felt it was at its peak.
Did Bea Arthur regret any roles?

Bea Arthur considered the sitcom Amanda’s and an episode of Saturday Night Live as her worst career experiences. She also regretted the film version of Mame.
Was Bea Arthur in the Star Wars Holiday Special?

Yes, Bea Arthur appeared in the Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978. She played a character in the cantina scene.
Did Bea Arthur have any pets?

Bea Arthur was a lifelong animal rights activist. She enjoyed taking care of pets and was involved with PETA, even appearing on Judge Judy as a witness for a PETA case.
What was Bea Arthur's relationship with Betty White?

According to Betty White, Bea Arthur found her sometimes a pain in the neck. Despite this, they worked together on The Golden Girls and reunited for events.
Did Bea Arthur win a Tony Award?

Yes, Bea Arthur won a Tony Award in 1966 for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Vera Charles in Mame. She was also nominated for a special Tony in 2002.
How many Emmys did Bea Arthur win?

Bea Arthur won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Two were for Maude and one for The Golden Girls.
Was Bea Arthur in any movies?

Bea Arthur appeared in a few movies, including the film version of Mame 1974, For Better or Worse 1995, and Enemies of Laughter 2000.
Where did Bea Arthur grow up?

Bea Arthur grew up in Maryland, where her parents ran a dress shop. She attended Linden Hall School for Girls in Pennsylvania and Blackstone College in Virginia.
What was Bea Arthur's real height?

Bea Arthur was 5 feet 10 inches tall, though by age 12 she was already 5’9. Her height contributed to her distinctive comedic presence.
Did Bea Arthur have a funeral?

No, Bea Arthur instructed her family that no funeral be held after her passing. She died at home with her family on April 25, 2009.
What was Bea Arthur's first husband's name?

Bea Arthur’s first husband was Robert Alan Aurthur, a screenwriter. They married in 1947 and divorced in 1948.
Did Bea Arthur adopt children?

Yes, Bea Arthur and her second husband Gene Saks adopted two sons, Matthew in 1961 and Daniel in 1964. Daniel later became a set designer for Dharma & Greg.
What was Bea Arthur's role on All in the Family?

Bea Arthur played Maude Findlay, Edith Bunker’s cousin, on All in the Family in 1971. Her guest appearance led to the spin-off Maude.
What was Bea Arthur's connection to Fiddler on the Roof?

In 1964, Bea Arthur played Yente the Matchmaker in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. Despite being a supporting role, she stole the show nightly.
Did Bea Arthur appear on Curb Your Enthusiasm?

Yes, Bea Arthur made a guest appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm playing Larry’s mother. That was her last acting role before retirement.
What was Bea Arthur's net worth?

No specific net worth is mentioned in the source, but she left $300,000 to charity and had a long successful career. She also had a nude painting of her sell for $1.9 million in 2013.
Was Bea Arthur related to any other celebrities?

No, Bea Arthur was not related to other celebrities by blood. She had close friendships with Angela Lansbury and her Golden Girls co-stars.
What did Bea Arthur think of Amanda's?

Bea Arthur considered Amanda’s, a short-lived sitcom based on Fawlty Towers, one of her worst career experiences.
Did Bea Arthur appear on Saturday Night Live?

Yes, Bea Arthur hosted Saturday Night Live and also appeared in a cameo. She considered that episode among her worst experiences.

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Audited & updated by

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on October 14, 2026

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