Rue McClanahan

A New York stage actress in the 1950s, McClanahan was plucked from the stage by 'Norman Lear' (qv) for roles on _All in the Family (1971)_ (qv) and later _Maude (1972)_ (qv). For two years (1982 - 1984), she played "Aunt Fran" on _Mama's Family (1983)_ (qv) until her character was killed off and she joined the cast of Golden Girls. She hit her comedic stride as a sharp tongued oversexed Southern belle on _The Golden Girls (1985)_ (qv).::Ray Hamel