(note: for most up to date, visit IMDB)
More of the nitty-gritty of Bea on the screen. Television, movies, DVDs, episode guides… all here! This page is currently in progress, come back again soon for more details of Bea’s enormously large body of work!
The following information has been organized from the following sources, compiled for your convenience (and mine!) :: IMDB.com, TV.com, TVShowsonDVD.com and other articles from print and web from 1970-2007, as well as, self-compiled notes and lists that I have been using for personal organization. |
Television
Theatre was Bea’s true first love, however, she is mostly known for her impeccable, larger than life personality, television roles. Below are some well-known television appearances with in-depth listings for her major hits Maude, Golden Girls, and even the lesser-known Amanda’s (a favorite among her hard-core fans).
Maude; 09.12.1972 – 04.22.1978; 141 episodes; 6 Seasons; Buy on DVD
Maude was one of the most popular shows during the 70s. Not only was it one of the most popular, but it was also one of the most controversial. The show was real and told it like it is – much like the show that first introduced us to Maude, All in the Family.
Maude was outspoken and strong-willed… which lead her to many interesting and controversial situations. Maude wasted no time becoming one of the most controversial shows ever when she, at age 47, became pregnant and decided to get an abortion (the first show to ever have the lead character get an abortion). By the end of the show, Maude was heading to Congress, ready to take on a new world. And it seemed we would get to see Congresswoman Maude, but Bea Arthur decided to leave the show. Maude remains a part of TV history and has since become a true classic.
Spin-off of: All in the Family
Spin-offs: Good Times
Amanda’s (by the sea); 02.10.1983 – 05.25.1983; 13 episodes; 1 Season
This short-lived series was based on the popular British series Fawlty Towers. Amanda was the formidable owner of “Amanda’s By The Sea,” a homey little hotel overlooking the Pacific. Her staff included Marty, her hotel-management graduate son; Arlene, his spoiled, citified wife; Earl, the excitable chef; and Aldo, the confused bellhop of foreign extraction. Stories revolved around burnt steaks, fussy guests, and travel-guide writers who had to be impressed. There was also Mr. Mundy, the banker who always threatening to foreclose; and brother-in-law Zack, who was out to meddle and woo Amanda.
EPISODE LISTINGS ::
01 | All in a Day’s Work | 2/10/1983 | |
02 | You Were Meant For Me | 2/17/1983 | |
03 | The Man Who Came on Wednesday | 2/24/1983 | |
04 | I Ain’t Got Nobody | 3/3/1983 | |
05 | My Cheatin’ Staff | 3/10/1983 | |
06 | Aunt Sonia | 3/24/1983 | |
The hotel may not survive a visit from Amanda’s aunt, a golf tournament, a shortage of rooms, and the appearance of a dancing chicken in the cabaret. | |||
07 | Last of the Red Hot Brothers | 5/5/1983 | |
The hotel is operating at its usual low rate of occupancy, but when Amanda’s brother-in-law arrives, suddenly there’s not enough room for the two of them. | |||
08 | I’m Dancing as Close as I Can | 5/12/1983 | |
Amanda begins to get that old romantic feeling when her late husband’s brother asks her for a date. | |||
09 | One Passionate Night (1) | 5/19/1983 | |
A full moon seems to be having a romantic effect on the hotel staff–especially Amanda and Zack. | |||
10 | One Passionate Night, the Aftermath (2) | 5/26/1983 | |
After accidentally walking in on Amanda and Zack in bed, Marty finds his marital passion diminished. | |||
11 | Amanda’s Number One Son | (Never aired) | |
12 | I Was Wild About Harry | (Never aired) | |
13 | Oh, Promise Me | (Never aired) |
Golden Girls; 09.14.1985 – 04.09.1992; 180 episodes, 7 Seasons; Buy on DVD
The Golden Girls, which ran on NBC from 1985 until 1992, centers around four women all near or above the age of 50. Created by Susan Harris ( Soap, Empty Nest ), the series was an immediate hit in its Saturday night timeslot. The show mainly involved four women. The stories involve dating and solving various problems. The story of the week sometimes included issues such as harassment, homosexuality, impotence, AIDS, death, and adultery.
Spin-offs: Empty Nest, Nurses (indirectly), Golden Palace, Brighton Belles (British remake)
Mrs. Arthur hasn’t had a large movie career, but as with anything that she does, her roles are sweet and memorable.
Title | Year | DVD | |
That Kind of Woman | 1959 | ||
Lovers and Other Strangers | 1970 | Buy | |
Mame | 1974 | ||
History of the World: Part I | 1981 | Buy | |
My First Love (TV Movie Special) | 1988 | ||
For Better or Worse | 1996 | Buy | |
Enemies of Laughter | 2000 | Buy |
Other On Screen Appearances as herself
Here are a few more, smaller noted, appearances of Bea. These videos are usually found in only the racks of hard-core Bea fans or strangely scattered through random video sites such as YouTube. See what you can find!
Coming Soon :: in progress! (very slowly!) | ||
This Joint Is Jumpin | 1993 | |
Star Wars Christmas Special; Ackmena | 1978 |
Bea’s true passion! Enough said!
Show | Role | Year | |
Lysistrata | 1947 | ||
The Dog Beneath the Skin | Speaking Chorus | 1947 | |
Yerma | Lead | 1947 | |
No Exit | Inez | 1948 | |
The Taming of the Shrew | Kate | 1948 | |
Six Characters in Search of an Author | Mother | 1948 | |
The Owl and the Pussycat | Mother | 1948 | |
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme | Marchioness | 1949 | |
Yes Is for a Very Young Man | Constance | 1949 | |
The Creditors | Telka | 1949 | |
Heartbreak House | Hessione | 1949 | |
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | Dorothy | 1951 | |
Personal Appearance | Jessie | 1951 | |
Candle Light | Baroness | 1951 | |
Love or Money | Nita | 1951 | |
The Voice of the Turtle | Olive | 1951 | |
The New Moon | Clotilde Lombaste | 1953 | |
Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera | Lucy Brown | 1954 | |
What’s The Rush? | 1955 | ||
Ben Bagley’s Shoestring Revue | 1955 | ||
Seventh Heaven | Madame Suze | 1955 | |
Play & Fancy | Ruth Winters (understudy) | 1955 & 1956 | |
Mistress of the Inn | Mirandolina | 1956 | |
The Ziegfeld Follies | 1956 | ||
Nature’s Way | Nadine Fesser | 1957 | |
Ulysses in Nighttown | Bella | 1958 | |
The Gay Divorcee at the Cherry Lane | Hortense | 1960 | |
A Matter of Position | Mrs. Miller | 1962 | |
Fiddler on the Roof | Yente the Matchmaker | 1964 | |
Mame | Vera Charles | 1966 | |
Woody Allen’s The Floating Lightbulb | 1981 | ||
Bermuda Avenue Triangle | 1995 & 1996 | ||
Anne Meara’s After-Play | 1997 & 1998 | ||
Broadway “Angela Lansbury- A Celebration” | Herself | 11.17.1996 | |
Strike Up The Band | 2000 | ||
And Then There’s Bea | Herself | 2001 | |
Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends | Herself | 2002-2006 |
Bea does appear credited on various vinal recordings, children’s reading audio cassettes, and other randomly produced materials. Here is a listing of such materials that I have come across over the years.
Awards
Accomplishments and near accomplishments!
Year | Award | Category | Result | |
1955 | Donaldson | Performance | Nominated | |
1966 | Tony Award | Best Supporting Actress | Won | |
1973 | Golden Globe | Best TV Actress, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1973 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1974 | Golden Globe | Best TV Actress, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1974 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1975 | Golden Globe | Best Supporting Actress, Movie :: Mame | Nominated | |
1976 | Golden Globe | Best TV Actress, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1976 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1977 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Maude | Won | |
1978 | Golden Globe | Best TV Actress, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1978 | Emmy | Supporting Actress in Variety or Music :: Laugh-In | Nominated | |
1978 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Maude | Nominated | |
1986 | Golden Globe | Best TV Actress, Comedy :: Golden Girls | Nominated | |
1986 | Golden Apple | Female Star of the Year | Won | |
1986 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden Girls | Nominated | |
1987 | Golden Globe | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden GIrls | Nominated | |
1987 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden Girls | Nominated | |
1988 | Golden Globe | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden GIrls | Nominated | |
1988 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden Girls | Won | |
1989 | Golden Globe | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden GIrls | Nominated | |
1989 | Emmy | Actress in Leading Role, Comedy :: Golden Girls | Nominated | |
1990 | Banff TV Festival | Award of Excellence | Won | |
1992 | Bambi | Readers Choice :: Golden Girls | Won | |
2000 | Emmy | Actress in Guest Role, Comedy :: Malcolm in the Middle | Nominated | |
2001 | American Comedy Award | Funniest Female Guest in TV Series :: Malcome in the Middle | Won | |
2002 | Tony Award | Bea Arthur on Broadway:: Special Theatrical Event | Nominated | |
2003 | TV Land Award | Golden Girls :: Quintessential Non-Traditional Family | Won |