Rue McClanahan
Biography
Rue McClanahan was an American actress who worked mainly in television sitcoms. Born in Healdton, Oklahoma, in 1934, she began acting professionally on stage in 1957 at Pennsylvania's Erie Playhouse in Inherit the Wind and soon performed off-Broadway, making her Broadway debut in 1969 in Jimmy Shine. Television notice came with Another World, followed by the soap opera Where the Heart Is. She played Vivian Harmon on Maude, Aunt Fran Crowley on Mama's Family, and Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls and its spin-off The Golden Palace, earning four Emmy nominations for the role and winning in 1987, plus three Golden Globe nominations. Later stage work included The Women and Wicked, where she played Madame Morrible in 2005. Her films included Out to Sea (1997), Starship Troopers (1997), and the voice role of Scarlett in Annabelle's Wish (1997).
76years old at death
- Born Healdton
- Died New York City
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Eddi-Rue McClanahan (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 11
- Career span
- 37 years1961 to 1998
Share
Did you know?!
First role
McClanahan was a life member of the Actors Studio. She made her professional stage debut in 1957 at the Erie Playhouse in Pennsylvania, in the play Inherit the Wind.
First role
In 1969, McClanahan finally made her Broadway debut as Sally Weber in the original production of Jimmy Shine, a play with music that starred Dustin Hoffman in the title role.
A role that slipped away
McClanahan turned down continuing with Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks after its Miami run, and Polly Bergen took her place for the Broadway performances.
Rue McClanahan movies on Netflix
Rusty: A Dog's Taleas Edna Callahan
Annabelle's Wishas Scarlett
Out to Seaas Mrs. Carruthers
Starship Troopersas Biology Teacher
This World, Then the Fireworksas Mom Lakewood
Dear Godas Mom Turner
Bladeas Gail
They Might Be Giantsas Daisy Playfair
The People Next Dooras Della
Five Minutes to Loveas Sally 'Poochie'
Five Minutes to Liveas Pamela
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Five actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.






Films together
Clancy Brown2 films together, 1997
Clancy Brown's page Annabelle's Wish1997IMDb rating 7.2McClanahan as ScarlettBrown as Lawyer
Starship Troopers1997IMDb rating 7.3McClanahan as Biology TeacherBrown as Sgt. Zim
Cloris Leachman2 films together, 1970 to 1997
Cloris Leachman's page Annabelle's Wish1997IMDb rating 7.2McClanahan as ScarlettLeachman as Aunt Agnes
The People Next Door1970IMDb rating 6.1McClanahan as DellaLeachman as Tina Hoffman
Hal Holbrook2 films together, 1970 to 1998
Hal Holbrook's page Rusty: A Dog's Tale1998IMDb rating 4.9McClanahan as Edna CallahanHolbrook as Boyd Callahan
The People Next Door1970IMDb rating 6.1McClanahan as DellaHolbrook as David Hoffman
Jennifer Darling2 films together, 1997 to 1998
Jennifer Darling's page Rusty: A Dog's Tale1998IMDb rating 4.9McClanahan as Edna CallahanDarling as Mrs. Cluckvoice
Annabelle's Wish1997IMDb rating 7.2McClanahan as ScarlettDarling as Star
Michael McGuire2 films together, 1971 to 1973
Michael McGuire's page Blade1973IMDb rating 5.3McClanahan as GailMcGuire as Quincy
They Might Be Giants1971IMDb rating 6.7McClanahan as Daisy PlayfairMcGuire as Telephone Guard
Awards
Four awards and honors from 1986 to 2009, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1987 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | The Golden Girls | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 2009 | Disney Legends | Honored | |
| 2003 | TV Land Award | The Golden Girls | Won |
| 1986 | Golden Apple Award | The Golden Girls | Won |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


