‘The Golden Girls’: Through The Years With The Cast

We were addicted to watching ditzy “Rose,” angry “Dorothy,” randy “Blanche”, and mischievous “Sophia” in The Golden Girls. Each of them has a quirky, interesting personality which makes them bound to get into some crazy situations. The show was far ahead of its time that had powerful social stances mixed with endless comedy. The gang was sex-positive, supporting gay rights, and encouraged women to be strong and independent!

The Golden Girls is one of those TV shows that will always be loved by millions of fans across the world. The premise is quite simple: four older single women living in a house in Miami, Florida. Each of them has a quirky, interesting personality, which makes them bound to get into some crazy situations.

“Rose Nylund” is a Norwegian-American from the small town of St. Olaf, Minnesota. She is most known for her interesting stories of her growing up in her hometown. A few years before she moved to Miami, she had been married to her husband “Charlie Nylund,” with whom she had four kids. “Rose” was a hilariously ditzy character who was filled with nothing but love!

Betty White scored her second signature role playing the role of “Rose Nylund” in The Golden Girls. Afterward, she went on to star in the spin-off series The Golden Palace as well as countless other shows such as Suddenly Susan, The Practice, Yes, Dear. In the 2000s, she joined the cast of the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. She was able to give her career another boost with her famous Snickers commercial that aired during the 2010 Super Bowl.

White then went on to win countless awards, including Primetime, Daytime and Regional Emmys. The hilarious star, who was one of Hollywood’s favourites for her epic foul mouth and quick wit, sadly passed away on December 31— just weeks before she would have turned 100.

“Sophia Petrillo” is the oldest of the group who, in fact, fled from Italy as a young woman to avoid an arranged marriage. She later married “Salvadore Petrillo” and eventually had three kids with him. She moves in with the rest of the gang after her retirement home “Shady Pines” burns to the ground.

Estelle Getty went on to star in both of The Golden Girls spin-offs, The Golden Palace and Nurses. She also made numerous guest appearances in shows like Fantasy Island, Cagney & Lacey, Blossom, Touched by an Angel, and The Nanny. Estelle Getty eventually passed away on her 85th birthday on July 22, 2008, from Lewy Body Dementia.

“Blanche Devereaux” is originally from the South and works at an art museum. She was born into a wealthy family and lived with her husband George in Atlanta. After he passed away, “Blanche” eventually moved to Miami, where she met the rest of the gang.

Rue McClanahan went on to star in countless other shows such as Murder, She Wrote, and Newhart as well as various TV movies like the trilogy Children of the Bride, Baby of the Bride, Mother of the Bride. Rue also voice acted for tons of animated series such as Blue’s Clues, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, and even King of the Hill. Among other things, McClanahan was also an active advocate for animal rights and gay rights. Rue McClanahan tragically passed away on June 3, 2010, at the age of 76.

“Dorothy Zbornak” is a substitute teacher from Brooklyn, New York City. “Dorothy” became pregnant while she was still in high school which led to her marrying “Stanley Zbornak”. The marriage produced two of her children but ended after 38 years when “Stanley” left her for a flight attendant.

After the show ended, Bea Arthur moved on to star in the short-lived spin-off series The Golden Palace. She later toured the country doing her one-woman-show titled An Evening with Bea Arthur. Bea also made small appearances in shows like Futurama and Malcolm in the Middle. Eventually, she returned to Broadway in 2002 starring in her own production Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends. Unfortunately, she died from cancer on April 25, 2009, at the age of 86.