Thirty years ago this month (September 14, to be exact), Dorothy, Sophia, Rose, and Blanche walked into our living rooms and gave new meaning to the term girl power. From cheesecake at 2 A.M. to wicker furniture and palm-tree wallpaper, this foursome left their mark on pop-culture and a place in our hearts. To celebrate The Golden Girls‘ 30th Anniversary, we’re taking a trip down Miami lane with some of the series’ most iconic guest stars—and most likely some you didn’t even know.
Jenny Lewis
Before she was Hannah Hefler in Troop Beverly Hills (or the singer of indie band Rilo Kiley), Jenny Lewis was Daisy, the bratty Sunshine Cadet who held Rose Nylund’s teddy bear hostage in this 1987 episode titled “Old Friends.”
Beth Grant
If you’re a die-hard fan of The Mindy Project, you know that Beth Grant (Beverly) has been in numerous film and TV projects. But did you know she also starred on The Golden Girls in not one, but two roles? She played Terry Franco in the season five episode “When Rose Fights Back,” and then the character of “Louise” in the 1991 episode titled “Witness.
Quentin Tarantino
Leave it to Quentin Tarantino to make his mark as an Elvis impersonator in this episode from 1988 titled “Sophia’s Wedding Part 1.” Never mind the fact that the clip is in German, just look for the guy in the back row wearing the beige shirt.
Jeffrey Tambor
Long before he took on roles in Arrested Development and Transparent, Jeffrey Tambor played Dr. Stevens in two episodes of The Golden Girls. Click on the 27:30 mark in this 1989 episode titled “Sick and Tired: Part 1.”
Mario Lopez
Look at those dimples! Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell) was charmed as a youngster that Dorothy tutors in the 1987 episode, “Dorothy’s Prized Pupil.”
Dick Van Dyke
Always one to go for the laughs, Dick Van Dyke clowned around as funnyman Ken in the 1989 episode, “Love Under the Big Top.”
Ruby Dee
Iconic actress and activist Ruby Dee played Mammy Watkins in “Wham, Bam, Thank You Mammy.” Dee played the role of Blanche’s former nanny, who revealed that she had an affair with Blanche’s father, Big Daddy, at a time when interracial affairs were taboo, especially in the deep South.
Todd Susman
If you’re a fan of Orange Is the New Black, you’ll recognize Todd Susman (beginning at the 6:46 mark playing Detective Marlowe in this 1991 clip from “The Case of the Libertine Belle”) as Jason Biggs’ father on the Netflix series. On a personal note, he’s also my cousin!
Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen’s Lucas Hollingsworth came aboard to romance Dorothy in the final episode of The Golden Girls that aired in 1992.
George Clooney
Long before ER, George Clooney was a working actor in the ’80s, charming the pants off all of you Facts of Life fans. But there was also this star turn as Bobby Hopkins in the GG 1987 episode, “To Catch a Neighbor,” in which he helped protect our favorite ladies from some up-to-no-good Miami residents.
Rita Moreno
Remember when Dr. Harry Weston (Richard Mulligan) occupied the house next door to the ladies? Of course you do—that became the GG spin-off, Empty Nest! Well, before that, Rita Moreno’s Renee Corliss occupied the house in a 1987 GG episode titled (ironically) “Empty Nests.”
Fred Willard
Fred Willard appeared as Bob in the 1991 episode, “Dateline: Miami,” that centered on Rose, Blanche, and Sophia staying at home and recalling past dates while Dorothy went out on a date of her own.
Debbie Reynolds
Before The Golden Girls ended its run, Debbie Reynolds guest-starred as Truby Steele in the 1991 episode, “There Goes the Bride: Part II.”
And last but not least, though Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory) didn’t guest star on The Golden Girls, Estelle Getty (Sophia Petrillo) made a special appearance on Mayim’s ’90s sitcom, Blossom. Take a look at the below gem with Mayim dressed like Sophia in the 1991 episode, “I Ain’t Got Nobody.”
Happy 30th anniversary, Golden Girls! Now, who wants some cheesecake?
