Rue McClanahan Remembered: Part 3

In 1985 she stepped into the role that would make her a true legend...

It was in that year she became Blanche Devereaux, the sex-crazed southern belle on "The Golden Girls." The story has been told many times that originally she was slated to play the part of Rose Nylund and Betty White was the original choice to play Blanche due to both actresses having a background playing similar parts. Director Jay Sandrich decided to let them switch and the rest is history.

"The Golden Girls" began on September 14, 1985 and it was nominated for 17 Emmys during its first year. Rue picked up the statue herself in 1987.

The character of Blanche was interesting because she would often come across as being the most selfish and self-centered of the group. She was terrified of aging and clung to the belief that she was still in her 40's. Blanche had also ruined her relationship with all her children due to her obsession to stay young once saying "I used to tell people they were my husband's by a previous marriage." In her later years she lamented for not being there enough and managed to salvage some sort of a relationship with her daughters, even helping to deliver daughter Rebecca's little girl. Blanche also had a rough realtionship with her sisters Virginia (Sheree North) and Charmaine (Barbara Babcock) but they also were able to iron things out. In one of Virginia's appearances she asked Blanche to donate a kidney due to the fact that she is going into renal failure. At first Blanche can't look past their trouble youth but then changes her mind. In the end she isn't needed as a more suitable donor is found. Blanche idolized her father "Big Daddy" (Murray Hamilton and then David Wayne) and was devistated when her own selfishness prevented her from being with him before he passed away. Blanche often mentioned how sorry she was that she got to the hospital too late to say good bye to her beloved mother "Big Mommy" (Helen Kleeb) as well.

Blanche and men....as Blanche herself admitted she had 143 relationships and even her initials Blanche Elizabeth Devereaux spelled B.E.D.! According to Rue...Blanche had lost the love of her life..husband George died years before the series began and she was searching and searching for a replacement...or a new love. Blanche grew very close to her roommates Dorothy, Rose and Sophia....she was always ready to give Dorothy advice on how to meet men, Rose was her target when it came to needing a sidekick and Sophia was her sounding board. Sophia was of great help to Blanche when she had trouble dealing with the fact that her younger brother was gay and preparing to marry his male lover.

Why all this about Blanche? Because none of it would have been as "golden" if it weren't Rue McClanahan. The southern accent and swifts moves she gave Blanche could not have been done by anyone else...

In the final episode of "The Golden Girls" Blanche is horrified at first when her Uncle Lucas (Leslie Nielsen) becomes involved with Dorothy. She finally makes peace and then prepares to say good bye to her dear friend and roommate. As Dorothy leaves to start a new life...Rose, Sophia and Blanche are left in that house in Miami to move on.....how would they do it?

On September 18, 1992 "The Golden Palace" began...the show saw the three remaining ladies selling their house and purchasing a small hotel on Miami Beach. Blanche battled more of herself as a long hidden secret from her past came out - she had a mentally challenged older brother named Tad (Ned Beatty) that she visited once a month but told no one about. In one of the most power scenes between Rose and Blanche ever Rose shames Blanche for keeping Tad a secret saying "You're ashamed of him! And I'm ashamed of you!" As Rose begins to leave Blanche stops her and says "Alright you want the truth? YES! I'm ashamed of him! You happy now!" As Blanche marches off, Rose looks on in horror. Later as Tad is leaving to return to his home in Tennesse he telling his little sister that she means the world to him and Blanche breaks down and realizes that the world should know what a wonderful brother she has.

Sadly "The Golden Palace" was not picked up for a second season and the series ended in May of 1993. Blanche Devereaux faded into television history...

In 1988 the show "Empty Nest" featuring Richard Mulligan as Dr. Harry Weston spun-off from "The Golden Girls" and saw all four girls make a guest appearance during its first season. In a 1988 episode Rue crosses over as Blanche to put the moves on Dr. Weston even going so far as to sneak into his bedroom. The good doctor politely refuses her.

In 1991, Blanche crossed over to the "Empty Nest" spin-off "Nurses" which took place in the same hospital as the one featured on "Empty Nest." In the episode Blanche seeks out Dr. Amanda Riskin (Florence Stanley) when she believes she has lost her touch and can't get a man in her bed.

In 1996, Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan reunited in an episode of "The John Larroquette Show"

1999 saw her return to television in "Safe Harbor" playing Gregory Harrison's mother. She was simply referred to as "Grandma Loring" and it was hinted that she had once been involved with a magician. Sadly the show only lasted 10 episodes...

Shortly after Rue made a guest appearance on the show "Ladies Man" which co-starred good friend Betty White. Rue and Betty played sisters in this episode and Rue made a second appearance later in the season with Estelle Getty joining them this time in what would be her final appearance on screen...

In 2008 Rue, Beatrice and Betty all reunited to accept the Pop Culture Award at the 6th Annual TVLand Awards...

The final new production I saw Rue in was a 2009 episode of "Law & Order" in which she played a woman who claimed to have had an affair with John F. Kennedy.......could it have been the Blanche Devereaux of 2009???

Dear God in Heaven...Rue thank you so much for the hours of pleasure you have given me. You have provided me with so much laughter I can't even begin to describe it. As Vivian, Aunt Fran, Blanche as all the others...you will NEVER be forgotten. I hope that you, Beatrice and Estelle are having a wonderful reunion right now...you're angels all of you. I was raised watching you as Blanche so this is like losing a member of the family. Your autographs and photos will always be a proud member of my collection. God Bless You! You will be MISSED!

And so...as much as it kills me to say this, like a knife to the heart...

In Memoriam Remembers:

Rue McClanahan