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Rue McClanahan

Birth Place: Healdton, OK, USA

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STAGE CREDITS

Wicked Wicked
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Madame Morrible [Replacement]
The Women
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2001
Countess de Lage
The Vagina Monologues
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]
California Suite
[Broadway]
1976
Hannah Warren [Replacement]
Diana Nichols [Replacement]
Gert Franklyn [Replacement]
Sticks and Bones
[Broadway]
1972
Harriet [Replacement]
Father's Day
[Broadway]
1971
Louise (Standby)
Marian (Standby)
Jimmy Shine
[Broadway]
1968
Sally Weber
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1964
Hazel
Cameo role

Movies

The Grass Eater
[ 1961 ] Loraina
Walk the Angry Beach
[ 1961 ] Sandy
Five Minutes to Love
[ 1963 ] SallyPoochie
The People Next Door
[ 1970 ] Della
They Might Be Giants
[ 1971 ] Daisy
Some of My Best Friends Are...
[ 1971 ] Lita Joyce
The Pursuit of Happiness
[ 1971 ] Mrs. O Mara
Blade
[ 1973 ] Gail
Modern Love
[ 1990 ] Mrs. Evelyn Parker
Biosphere 2
[ 1991 ] Hostess
Dear God
[ 1996 ] Mom Turner
Starship Troopers
[ 1997 ] Biology Teacher
This World, Then the Fireworks
[ 1997 ] Marty's mother
Out to Sea
[ 1997 ] Mrs. Ellen Carruthers
Rusty: A Dog's Tale
[ 1998 ] Edna Callahan
Border to Border
[ 1998 ] Mrs. Kirby
The Fighting Temptations
[ 2003 ] Nancy Stringer
Wit's End
[ 2005 ] Dean Madison

TV Shows

Charles in Charge
Irene Pembroke
Fantasy Island
Gertie Lawton, Margaret Fielding
Gimme a Break!
Katrina, Marian
Insight
Mary Margaret, Linda
Mama's Family
Aunt Fran Crowley
Maude
Vivian Cavender Harmon, Vivian, Vivian Cavender
The Golden Girls
Blanche Devereaux
The Golden Palace
Blanche Devereaux
The Love Boat
Mary Hubble, Cheryl Enicker, Laura Thornton Hayes
Touched by an Angel
Lila Winslow, Amelia Bowthorpe Archibald

Awards and Nominations


winner
Obie Awards - 1970 - Performance

Rue McClanahan, Who's Happy Now?

Videos

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News


FINDING NEVERLAND Regional Premiere & More Set for OFC Creations Theatre 'Broadway In Photo
FINDING NEVERLAND Regional Premiere & More Set for OFC Creations Theatre 'Broadway In Brighton' 2025-2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 1, 2025

OFC Creations Theatre has announced the 2025-2026 Broadway in Brighton Series, back for a third year, after last season's lineup featured Tony and Emmy nominated actors from Hollywood and Broadway.
Garrett Clayton as 'The Grinch' and More Set for OFC Creations 25-26 Season Photo
Garrett Clayton as 'The Grinch' and More Set for OFC Creations 25-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025

OFC Creations Theatre has revealed the 2025-2026 Broadway in Brighton Series, back for a third year. OFC's Broadway in Brighton Series is comprised of six professional musical productions. See full programming and learn more!
Interview: Vince Kelley of GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LAUGHS CONTINUE at Pantages Photo
Interview: Vince Kelley of GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LAUGHS CONTINUE at Pantages
by Jared Fessler - Mar 28, 2025

Join us for a conversation with Vince Kelley, the talented producer of Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue! This hilarious new comedy show brings the iconic characters back in an all-new, outrageously funny storyline. Set in the present day, Sophia has found herself in a sticky situation after a run-in with the DEA, Blanche and Rose are now thriving in the senior app world, and Dorothy is trying to keep everything together, with a rather surprising twist!
Barracuda Lounge, NYC Nightlife Hotspot, Closes Doors After 30 Years Photo
Barracuda Lounge, NYC Nightlife Hotspot, Closes Doors After 30 Years
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 17, 2025

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Barracuda Lounge, beloved Chelsea gay bar and drag performance space, will close its doors on March 23 after 30 years of operation.
Review: GOLDEN GIRLS THE LAUGHS CONTINUE at McCullough Theatre Photo
Review: GOLDEN GIRLS THE LAUGHS CONTINUE at McCullough Theatre
by Joni Lorraine - Dec 16, 2024

Need a break from the deluge of holiday performance fare? Ready for something bold and spicy and adult-y? Need a new take on a classic, timeless comedy that goes in a perfectly campy direction? Done with innumerable versions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, ELF, NUTCRACKER, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and on and on and on?
Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES at Curran Theatre Photo
Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES at Curran Theatre
by Steve Murray - Dec 8, 2024

What did our critic think of THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES at Curran Theatre?
Cindy Fee to Perform at Opening Weekend of THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISO Photo
Cindy Fee to Perform at Opening Weekend of THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 3, 2024

Cindy Fee—the voice of The Golden Girls theme song, “Thank You for Being a Friend”—will perform at the opening weekend of The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes at BroadwaySF's Curran Theatre. Patrons attending performances on December 6, 7, and 8 will get the opportunity to see Fee perform the iconic theme song live from the Curran Theatre stage.
THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES To Open at BroadwaySF's Curran Theatre Photo
THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES To Open at BroadwaySF's Curran Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 26, 2024

The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes—is making a grand move from the intimate setting of the Victoria Theatre to the historic Curran Theatre.
Review: NUNSENSE at 29 Theatre Photo
Review: NUNSENSE at 29 Theatre
by Gilmore Rizzo - May 26, 2024

What did our critic think of NUNSENSE at 29 Theatre?
NUNSENSE Comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Photo
NUNSENSE Comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2024

Tainted food, nuns in freezers, and lots of laughs are in store when The MTM Players brings the hilarious musical comedy 'Nunsense' to the Kelsey Theatre stage, April 19 to May 5, on Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) West Windsor Campus.
NUNSENSE Comes to Kelsey Theatre Next Month Photo
NUNSENSE Comes to Kelsey Theatre Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 20, 2024

Nunsense is headed to the Kelsey Theatre next month! Performances run April 19th - May 5th, 2024.
OFC Creations Theatre to Present SHE HAS RISEN: THE GOLDEN GIRLS MUSICAL Photo
OFC Creations Theatre to Present SHE HAS RISEN: THE GOLDEN GIRLS MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 14, 2024

OFC Creations will present the return of the Rochester Golden Girls with a brand-new show. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
Del Shores To Direct Off-Broadway Debut Of WOUNDED At SoHo Playhouse Photo
Del Shores To Direct Off-Broadway Debut Of WOUNDED At SoHo Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 12, 2023

Del Shores directs the Off-Broadway debut of the award-winning play WOUNDED, opening Jan. 24 at SoHo Playhouse, NYC. Inquire for interview opportunities with the creative team and cast.
Tickets Go On Sale Today For Debby Holiday's Tina Turner Tribute Concert at the Palac Photo
Tickets Go On Sale Today For Debby Holiday's Tina Turner Tribute Concert at the Palace Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 28, 2023

Rock artist and international singer/songwriter with 17 Billboard Top 20 Hits, Debby Holiday, for the first time on the East Coast will bring her full 10-piece “live” band, the sensational Tina Turner Tribute, to Manchester, N.H. at The Palace Theatre on May 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES VOLUME 4: THE HALLOWEEN EDITION at O'Conn Photo
Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES VOLUME 4: THE HALLOWEEN EDITION at O'Connell And Company
by Michael Rabice - Oct 20, 2023

When you mix a gaggle of sassy drag queens with one of the most successful  sitcom female casts of the the last century, the alchemy that results seems like a no brainer.  And when Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia and Rose are those beloved ladies, audiences clamor for more  time with their favorite ladies. For your enjoyment, O' Connell and Company along with Todd Warfield present 'THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES VOLUME 4: The Halloween Edition.'
Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS : A PARODY at Roxy's Downtown Photo
Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS : A PARODY at Roxy's Downtown
by Susan Guntly - Oct 4, 2023

What did our critic think of THE GOLDEN GIRLS : A PARODY at Roxy's Downtown?
Buck Creek Playhouse to Present SORDID LIVES in August Photo
Buck Creek Playhouse to Present SORDID LIVES in August
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 30, 2023

Buck Creek Players will present the first show of its 50th season with this play on their mainstage. 6 live in-person performances will be held at the playhouse starting Friday, August 4th and running through Sunday, August 13th. 
Leslie Jordan, Olivia Newton-John, Carole Cook & More to be Honored in Memoriam at A Photo
Leslie Jordan, Olivia Newton-John, Carole Cook & More to be Honored in Memoriam at A SORDID CELEBRATION OF LIVES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 11, 2023

The Del Shores Foundation will present a one-night-only event to tell stories, show clips and share memories of the lives well-lived of SORDID LIVES cast members Carole Cook, Sarah Hunley, Leslie Jordan, Rue McClanahan and Olivia Newton-John.
P3 Theatre Company to Present World Premiere of THE RED SUITCASE Beginning Next Month Photo
P3 Theatre Company to Present World Premiere of THE RED SUITCASE Beginning Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 10, 2023

P3 THEATRE COMPANY, in association with the Del Shores Foundation and Beard Collins Shores Productions, presents the world premiere of THE RED SUITCASE, written by Jiggs Burgess, directed by Del Shores, and starring Emerson Collins.
THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE HOLIDAY EPISODES Returns to the Victoria Theater in Novemb Photo
THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE HOLIDAY EPISODES Returns to the Victoria Theater in November
by Stephi Wild - Jun 26, 2023

Now in it’s 18th year, The eagerly-awaited San Francisco tradition, The Golden Girls Live: The Holiday Episodes, will return to the Victoria Theater, Opening November 30th. Directed by D’Arcy Drollinger
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Rue McClanahan been in?

Rue McClanahan has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Rue McClanahan been in?

Rue McClanahan has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Rue McClanahan been nominated for?

and Performance (Obie Awards) for Who's Happy Now?.

What awards has Rue McClanahan won?

Rue McClanahan won the Obie Award for Performance for her role in Who's Happy Now?.

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