"Golden Girls" Reflect on Bea Arthur

(CBS/ AP)  Actresses Rue McClanahan and Betty White, co-stars of "The Golden Girls" reflected on The Early Show on Monday what they will miss about their friend and co-star Bea Arthur, who died Saturday at the age of 86.

"I learned from her," said McClanahan, who worked with Arthur on "Maude" and "The Golden Girls." "I learned not comedy timing. I already knew that. We already had that together. I learned courage. I learned how to go out on a limb. Really go out on a limb. Go as far as you dared, and a little bit farther."

Arthur was a veteran of on and off-Broadway shows, winning a Tony award for "Mame," but her career really took off when she first appeared on television. On "All in the Family," as Edith Bunker's outspoken cousin, Arthur sparked a spin-off, "Maude," which aired through the '70s. In the '90s, she joined the cast of "The Golden Girls," as Dorothy.

Arthur died on Saturday, reportedly of cancer, in her Los Angeles home. She was 86.

White told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen she would remember the times when Arthur would sometimes stop production of "The Golden Girls" with her laughing.

"Every once in awhile, something would tickle Bea, and she'd get the giggles," White said. " ... In rehearsal, we'd get to that point, and she was gone. And it made it great fun."

McClanahan added that she'll miss talking on the phone with Arthur. "I think I'll miss that voice."

[trotjon]

i Know that i loved her on the golden girl. I cried when I heard she died. She will always be missed and i will and have never miss a show of the golden girls. I wish that there is a wway that i could get into contact with betty white or rue mcclanhan. i always will always love to watch this show no matter how may reruns lol.the next time it comes on nd i watch iti will say i am watching in the memory of bea arthur (dorothy) :-)

[joydom]

I CARE ABOUT THE FACTS ! The Golden Girls started on September 14, 1985 and ended on May 9, 1992. Bea Arthur was a terrific classy talented lady. She cared about people and had an opinion about politics. I am glad she lived to see the first African American president . I LOVED HER AND I'M HEARTBROKEN! I hope she knew how loved by strangers she was. I live on St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands. The Golden Girls comes on The Hallmark channel 3 episodes in a row twice a day and on the WE channel 3 episodes in a row once a day. I wish Maude came on tv too. I can't get enough of her. HBO should have filmed her one woman show. I wish I could have seen it. I send her family my condolences and rest assured that heaven is a better place now.

[oldschoolmusicfan]

Today the U.S. is talking about Gay marriage. But, I remember in the early years of the Golden Girls when I would go to a Gay bar after work. The whole bar would turn off the music and every one would gather around and watch The Golden Girls together . That was a lot of fun. I believe this show and it's stars helped us laugh through some very heavy times. And, NOBODY (nobody) could deliver a line like Bea Author (lol). Thanks to Bea and the whole cast.

[messick26]

I watched Golden Girls with my grandmother right after my son was born and now he calls it the grandma show. Auther will be missed,

[Rudr07]

To the below comments....who really cares? The point of the fact is that we lost a very gifted actress... I grew up whatching her with my grandmother And great aunt!! I will always have very fond and heart felt memories of the roll she played in my life! I don't know when the show started... I don't care... But she was a very large part of my childhood... That's what I will always carry with me!

[aleighga]

Sorry, 1985

[aleighga]

She did not start The Golden Girls in the 90s; the show began in 1988.