Golden Girl Dies Age 76

Golden Girls actress dies at age 76, Rue McClanahan was best know for her role as Blanche Deveraux in the hit US sitcom.

She died of a stroke at 1 am this morning from a massive stroke. She had previously suffered a stroke last November whilst recovering from  bypass surgery.

Golden Girls became an instant hit in 1985 when it was first aired by NBC. The following year the show was honoured by winning best comedy series at the 1986 Emmy Awards that same year Betty White won the award for leading actress.

Rue McClanahan was also a nominee in 1986 but had to wait until the following year to be award best actress at the 1987 Emmy Awards. The trio of Emmy Award winners was completed the following year when Bea Arthur was honoured at the 1989 Awards.

Her death leaves only Betty White, age 88, as a survinving cast member. Bea Arthur passed away in 2009.

After the shows 7 year run ended Rue went on to appear on various TV shows and eventually returned to her stage roots and played Madame Morrible in the hit Broadway musical “Wicked” in 2005.