Golden Girls Star Rue McClanahan Dies at 76

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."

Still in syndication, Golden Girls ran on NBC from 1985 to 1992. Only last year, McClanahan's costar, Beatrice Arthur, died from cancer. Estelle Getty died in 2008. Surviving star Betty White, 88, is currently enjoying a remarkable resurgence in her career, having recently hosted Saturday Night Live.

Born in Healdton, Okla., Rue lived in six towns by the time she was 8. Her father was a road builder who moved from one project to another. She found solace in acting ("the only thing I ever wanted to do") and after four years at the University of Tulsa moved to New York, where she worked as a part-time file clerk while trying to find jobs in the theater.

Her first job was off Broadway, in 1957, and she finally hit Broadway in 1969. TV work came from soap operas, until she made it on CBS's Maude, starring Beatrice Arthur, starting in 1972. She played Maude's best friend Vivian.

But it was Golden Girls that put her on the map and led to fame, fortune – and several husbands. In all, she had six, including actor Morrow Wilson, whom she wed in 1997 and who survives her, as does a son, Mark Bish, from her first marriage.



Credits: Charlotte Triggs and Stephen M. Silverman, PEOPLE

Betty White to appear on SNL

From People.com:

Betty White fans, your prayers have been answered. The former "Golden Girl" will appear on "Saturday Night Live" in the near future, she confirmed to PEOPLE at Elton John's annual Oscars viewing party on Sunday night.

Fans have been clamoring for White, 88, to do "SNL" -- an idea she called "ridiculous" just a few weeks ago -- ever since her comic turn in a Snickers ad during the Super Bowl. One Facebook page devoted to the cause has attracted half a million fans.

When asked by PEOPLE, "Are you doing 'Saturday Night Live'?" she answered, "Yes," even if she remains perplexed by the groundswell of support."I don't know why or how," she says, "but it's been wonderful."

White didn't offer any details about the "SNL" gig, and it remains unclear when she will appear -- or what it will entail.

Entertainment Weekly said she might appear on a special "Women of Comedy" episode with former "SNL" cast members Molly Shannon, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler -- but executive producer Lorne Michaels reportedly denied that.

White's career resurgence hasn't come completely out of the blue. She did star with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the romantic comedy "The Proposal," and was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the Screen Actors Guild.