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The most rewarding parts about writing a book are usually the advance payment beforehand, or the acclaim afterward. But for me, with 'The Q Guide to The Golden Girls,' it was the homework.

In the spring of 2006, I had the excuse to revisit old favorite 'Golden' episodes, all in the name of journalism. And even better, I had the opportunity to interview Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan in their respective homes, where I could not only ask them outright about their careers, but could also observe firsthand a small slice of their own real lives. For a gay man who had grown up on Dorothy Zbornak's quips and Blanche Devereaux's steamy sex stories, this was fantasy camp.

With her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, not at home when I arrived at her apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Rue answered the door in a bathrobe,...

"Golden Girls" star Rue McClanahan has died after suffering a major stroke on Thursday, June 3 morning. The actress' manager, Barbara Lawrence, has confirmed the star died at a hospital in New York, surrounded by her family. She was 76.

Lawrence tells People.com, "She passed away at 1am this morning. She had a massive stroke... She went in peace." Born Eddi-Rue McClanahan, the star enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades. She began acting on the New York stage in the 1950s and made her Broadway debut in 1969 in musical Jimmy Shine, opposite a young Dustin Hoffman.

Her screen breakthrough came in 1970 when she landed a role on U.S. soap "Another World" and she went on to star in another popular TV show, "Where the Heart Is", before she was cast in hit 1970s sitcom Maude.

But McClanahan's most famous role was as man-crazed Blanche Devereaux in "The Golden Girls...

Rue McClanahan, best known for her role as Blanche in "The Golden Girls," passed away today at age 76. Take a moment to enjoy these 10 facts about her fascinating and passionate life and career in showbiz.

Remembering Rue McClanahanA Star Was Born

Rue was born Eddi-Rue McClanahan in Healdton, Oklahoma, on February 21, 1934. She was named after her mother, Rhuea Nell, who owned a beauty shop, and her father, William Edwin, a building contractor.

College Years...

Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche Deveraux on the popular '80s sitcom "Golden Girls," died on Thursday after suffering a massive stroke. She was 76.

"She passed away at 1 a.m. this morning," her manager, Barbara Lawrence, confirmed to People magazine.

At the time of her death, McClanahan, "had her family with her," Lawrence said. "She went in peace."

The actress also suffered a minor stroke earlier this year while recovering from bypass surgery.

"Golden Girls...

Well, in Heaven, that is, as Rue McClanahan, who appeared as Blanche on the hit show, sadly passed away at age 76. According to People magazine, McClanhan passed away at 1Am this morning due to a massive stroke.

Previously, the actress had suffered a minor stroke due to bypass surgery, earlier this year.

As Blanche, McClanahan was part of a surprise hit ensemble of Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Betty White as four older women living in Miami. Blanche was the man-hungry, vain Southern Belle of the group, often ribbed by the others for her over-sexing. Basically, she was a cougar before being cougars was cool, which was before it was lame again, which is now.

Before Golden Girls, McClanahan co-starred with Bea Arthur in Maude for six seasons. After the show, she made guest appearances on numerous programs, appeared in a few movies, and most prominently, was one of the first celebrity supporters of PETA.

Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan has died after suffering a major stroke on Thursday morning.

The actress' manager, Barbara Lawrence, has confirmed the star died at a hospital in New York, surrounded by her family. She was 76.

Lawrence tells People.com, "She passed away at 1am this morning. She had a massive stroke... She went in peace."

Born Eddi-Rue McClanahan, the star enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades. She began acting on the New York stage in the 1950s and made her Broadway debut in 1969 in musical Jimmy Shine, opposite a young Dustin Hoffman.

Her screen breakthrough came in 1970 when she landed a role on U.S. soap Another World and she went on to star in another popular TV show, Where the Heart Is, before she was cast in hit 1970s sitcom Maude.

But McClanahan's most famous role was as man-crazed Blanche Devereaux in The Golden Girls, in which she starred alongside Betty White, Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty.

The show first aired in 1985 and ran for seven years, earning her an Emmy Award in 1987 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

She successfully battled breast cancer in 1997 but her later years were marred by ill health and she underwent triple bypass surgery in 2009, before suffering a minor stroke in January.

She was married six times and is survived by her son, Mark Bish, from her first marriage to Tom Bish. She separated from her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, earlier this year.

White, who is the last surviving star of The Golden Girls, has paid tribute to her late pal.

A statement from the 84-year-old actress reads, "Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasure our relationship. It hurts more than I ever thought it would, if that's even possible."

It has been a rough three years for fans of the beloved show - Getty died in 2008 and Arthur lost a battle with cancer last year.

Chicago – Rue McClanahan, the vivacious Southern Belle from “The Golden Girls,” died this morning at age 76. Her death comes just days after the passing of two other prominent figures in show business, Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper. Earlier this year, McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke after recovering from bypass surgery, and it was a massive stroke on the morning of Thursday, June 3rd, that proved to be fatal. She was reportedly surrounded by her family when she passed at 1 a.m.

Rue McClanahan

Born in Healdton, Okla., McClanahan attended the University of Tulsa before moving to New York City, where she eventually landed roles in the theatre. It was there that producer Norman Lear discovered her, and decided to cast her in an episode of “All in the Family.” She then landed a recurring role on the show’s popular spinoff series, “Maude,” opposite Bea Arthur. Her next major...

Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan has died after suffering a major stroke on Thursday morning.

The actress' manager, Barbara Lawrence, confirmed the star died at a hospital in New York, surrounded by her family. She was 76.

Lawrence tells People.com, "She passed away at 1am this morning. She had a massive stroke.

"(McClanahan) had her family with her. She went in peace."

Born Eddi-Rue McClanahan, the star enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades. She began acting on the New York stage in the 1950s and made her Broadway debut in 1969 in musical Jimmy Shine, opposite a young Dustin Hoffman.

Her screen breakthrough came in 1970 when she landed a role on U.S. soap Another World and she went on to star in another popular TV show, Where the Heart Is, before being cast in hit '70s sitcom Maude.

But McClanahan's most famous role was as man-crazed Blanche Devereaux in The Golden Girls, in which she starred alongside Betty White, Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty.

The show first aired in 1985 and ran for seven years, earning her an Emmy Award in 1987 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

She successfully battled breast cancer in 1997 but her later years were marred by ill health and she underwent triple bypass surgery in 2009, before suffering a minor stroke in January.

She was married six times and is survived by her son, Mark Bish, from her first marriage to Tom Bish. She separated from her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, earlier this year.

White is the last surviving star of The Golden Girls - Getty died in 2008 and Arthur died from cancer last year.

Rue McClanahan (center) with co-stars Bea Arthur and Betty White

The woman who so famously brought Golden Girls' Blanche Deveraux to life has passed away at the age of 76.

According to a statement from her manager, the actress died of a "massive stroke" at 1:00 Am this morning. McClanahan had been in ill health since suffering a minor stroke earlier this year. Fortunately she had family with her at the time of her passing and "went in peace."

Rue McClanahan worked in theater both on and off-Broadway before scoring wider TV exposure first on the the daytime soap opera Another World, and then playing "Vivian," best friend to Bea Arthur's title character on Maude. 

She was married six times and is survived by actor Morrow Wilson (whom she married in 1997) and her son from a previous marriage, Mark Bish.

Rue's last acting role was actually on the Logo channel.

Rue McClanahan, best known for playing a sex-obsessed Southerner of a certain age in the 1980-90s sitcom The Golden Girls, died early this morning after suffering a massive stroke. She was 76.

Born Eddi-Rue McClanahan in Healdtown, Okla., the actress spent much of her early career in live theater. Her performance as Betty in the 1969 Off Broadway show The Golden Fleece caught the attention of All in the Family creator Norman Lear, who cast her in a guest role on the CBS comedy as one half of a swinger couple. This led to the actress’ first big TV gig as Vivian,...

Golden Girl Rue McClanahan has died at the age of 76. "She passed away at 1 a.m. this morning," her manager, Barbara Lawrence, tells People. "She had a massive stroke." McClanahan, who played man-happy Blanche Devereaux on the still-popular '80s sitcom Golden Girls, had suffered a minor stroke earlier this year while recovering from bypass surgery. Lawrence adds that at the time of her death Thursday, McClanahan “had her family with her. She went in peace." Video: Remembering Rue - Her Best Blanche MomentsStill in syndication, Golden Girls ran on NBC from 1985 to 1992. Only last year, McClanahan's costar, Beatrice Arthur,...

Rue McClanahan, best known and loved as the sassy Southern sex-crazed Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls, died this morning at the age of 76. Her manager told People that McClanahan died around 1 am after suffering a massive stroke and that she was surrounded by her family at the time of her death. She is survived by her sixth husband Morrow Wilson and a son from her first marriage.

As part of America's most beloved geriatric comedy foursome, McClanahan's brassy Blanche seduced the men of Miami from 1985 to 1992. In 1987 McClanahan was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Blanche.  TV watchers are still enchanted by the former Southern belle, as The Golden Girls remains in syndication and is a cultural icon of the '80s.

Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan has split from her husband of 12 years and kicked him out of their home as she recovers from a stroke.

The 75 year old has been left struggling to walk and talk after collapsing in a New York hospital in November, just a week after undergoing heart surgery.

Her husband Morrow Wilson opened up about McClanahan's deteriorating health this week (begs11Jan10), admitting the stroke has taken its toll on the actress.

He told America's Globe magazine, "She can understand what you are saying in conversation, but still has some trouble speaking. Her speech is slower than it once was and she hasn't completely recovered on the right side of her body. She's going to require a lot more physical and speech therapy... "

McClanahan is expected to return home soon but Wilson confesses he won't be there to greet her - the actress dumped him shortly before her health crisis.

He tells the National Enquirer, "Prior to her surgery, she wanted to separate.

"I told her I would stay with her through her recovery, but she doesn't want me to. She doesn't even want to see me anymore."

And the star's actions have left Wilson reeling: "This is a woman I loved and still love. I feel like I've been hit by both barrels of a shotgun... I'm just sorry it turned out this way. I wish her only the best in her recovery."...

Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan is struggling to walk and talk after suffering a stroke while recovering from a November heart bypass operation.

The actress' husband Morrow Wilson tells America's Globe magazine the 75 year old collapsed in a New York hospital a week after undergoing surgery.

Doctors worked around the clock to remove a blood clot, but feared they'd failed to save McClanahan's life.

Wilson says, "Then, her right leg began to move and, not long afterward, she was able to walk a bit.

"They kept her in Icu (intensive care) for two weeks and then put her into the rehab centre. She's come out of that and is now in a nursing facility."

But the stroke has taken it's toll on the actress.

Wilson, who has been married to McClanahan for 12 years, adds, "She can understand what you are saying in conversation, but still has some trouble speaking. Her speech is slower than it once was and she hasn't completely recovered on the right side of her body.

"She's going to require a lot more physical and speech therapy... but at least it's not like I stay awake at nights anymore thinking that Rue is going to die."

McClanahan's health crisis is the latest drama for the former Golden Girls cast - Estelle Getty died in 2008 and Bea Arthur lost her battle with cancer last April.

Television and theater star Rue McClanahan was in Austin last weekend for the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (Bcrc) annual benefit. She kept several hundred attendees entertained and engaged with stories about acting onstage, how she met her current husband Morrow Wilson, and how she discovered that she had cancer.

Although best known for her role as Blanche Devereaux in Golden Girls, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen throughout her acting career including the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and Starship Troopers (1997).  I asked Ms. McClanahan about her Starship Troopers experience, and she stated that she'd loved working with that nice Dutch director, Paul Verhoeven.

At the end of the keynote speech, the audience and Rue participated in the creation of a new "no talking during the movie" bumper for the Alamo Drafthouse. I won't reveal the details, but suffice to say Rue handled it firmly and elegantly.

Golden, indeed: Heavyweights from the stage and TV gathered at Broadway's Majestic Theatre Monday to pay tribute to the late Beatrice Arthur, mixing tears with loud laughs - and ribald recollections that would have been bleeped had the 2½ ceremony been broadcast on TV. Instead, speaking live before a near-capacity house, Rue McClanahan told of the time her Golden Girls costar opened in her own 2002 one-woman Broadway show and graciously invited McClanahan and her husband, Morrow Wilson, to the opening-night performance and party afterwards. Admitting Arthur - who died of cancer in April, at 86 - often wasn't at her best when she was drinking,...