Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur was an American actress, comedian, and singer who began her career onstage in 1947 and drew critical acclaim before finding wide recognition on television. Born in New York City, she studied at The New School and took the part of Yente the Matchmaker in the 1964 Broadway premiere of Fiddler on the Roof. In 1966 she won a Tony Award for her featured role in the musical Mame, playing Vera Charles, and she reprised the part in the 1974 film version. She became known as Maude Findlay on All in the Family and then Maude, winning an Emmy in 1977, and later as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls, winning another Emmy in 1988. Her films included Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). She returned to Broadway in 2002 with Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2008.