Bea Arthur: Dorothy Zbornak
Always the most outspoken and brutally honest, Arthur led the Golden Girls cast with hilarity, wit, and just the right amount of charm as Dorothy.Before her The Golden Girls stardom,this New York City native started her adult life in a remarkable way. During World War II, she served United States Marine Corps as a truck driver and typist, earning herself an honorable discharge in 1945. After serving her country, she opted to entertain it, too, by acting in several productions and eventually earning her own iconic show
Betty White: Rose Nylund
Born in January 1922, she was the oldest Golden Girl — and now 93, she is the only one still living, but she doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon. In 2015 alone, she’s already appeared on Saturday Night Live, in the TV drama Bones, and at the People’s Choice Awards. She’s taken the phrase “stay gold” to a whole new level.
Betty White: 1955
Naturally, one of America’s first sweethearts started out with a pretty grin and oh-so-perfect eyebrows. Having appeared on big-name programs like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Tonight Show, she was a seasoned comedienne long before her role in The Golden Girls.
Rue McClanahan: Blanche Devereaux
Proving that beauty only gets better with age, Rue McClanahan’s Blanche refused to let her glamour and sexuality fade into the background throughout the show’s entire 1985 to 1992 run. To anybody who says women over 50 can’t wear red lipstick, we present you with this scarlet stunner.
As you probably could have guessed, the actress who played the group’s sensational Blanche was a total bombshell in the ’70s. Just look at that perfectly smoky eyeshadow and full, fun hair!
Estelle Getty: Sophia Petrillo
Despite playing Dorothy’s wise-cracking elderly mother, Getty was actually one year younger than Arthur — when the show started, she was 62. Even more impressive: Getty had barely done any onscreen acting prior to The Golden Girls, only appearing in minor roles in Tootsie and Team-Mates. Her legacy is proof that no matter what age you are, you should never give up on your goals.Though there are limited photos of Getty prior to The Golden Girls, this reveal is almost more shocking. Can you believe she looked this much younger when she wasn’t all done up as Sophia?
