R.I.P. Bea Arthur (1922-2009)

Shady Pines, ma

Tragic news - Bea Arthur, a.k.a Dorothy Zbornak, a.k.a Maude, has died at age 86 from cancer. I'm just too devastated to think of anything clever. Golden Girls is my favorite show, and I am a major, MAJOR fan. I have autographs of all the Girls, and the first time I went to L.A., my first order of business was getting one of those celebrity maps that had the Golden Girls' houses on it. I took pictures in front of Betty and Bea's houses, but unfortunately I lost the film so they never got developed. Several years ago, I saw Bea Arthur on Broadway, "Just Between Friends," along with every gay man in Manhattan. We're going to miss you, Pussycat. Thank you for being a friend.

Here are some classic scenes with Bea and the Girls:

1. I Got You Babe
2. Miami is Nice
3. Miami Lovers